Kuya J Restaurant, another nice restaurant in Orchid St., Cebu

This blog is Even with PKD Life Goes On isn't it? So that means we are not going to talk just plainly about  kidney disease matters because it could be depressing sometimes but we will also talk about other things in life like enjoying it. Such as in this instance, I am going to review another restaurant in Orchid St., Cebu City which is a originally a residential area now becoming known to be one of the dining destinations in Cebu.

Support Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Research

Research is important in the search for a cure for PKD as well as supportive management for symtoms associated with PKD. Thanks to PKD Foundation, I am updated to what's happening regarding these efforts.

There are several ongoing clinical trials supported by the PKD Foundation and some of them are in the process of recruiting volunteer participants.

Some Kidney Nutrition Tips for the PKD Patient

I would like to share some reminders given during a recent PKD nutrition webinar given by renal dietitian Kelly Welsh. I will summarized some of the important points below:

• Whole grain or wheat is a better source of carbohydrates. Use them whenever possible.
• Omega 3s (from salmon for example) may be beneficial. 
• Avoid coffee.
• Avoid energy drinks and sodas. They give you caffeine, lots of calories, and extra phosphorus. These may either speed up cyst growth or are just dump us with substances which are harmful in excess.
• Eat colorful vegetables and fruits.
• Under doctor's advice, calcium binders like TUMS may be useful to bind excess phosphates (phosphorus).
• For fever, take only paracetamol.
• Do not take any herbal supplement without doctor's approval  For example, do not take noni juice, ginseng-containing supplements.
• If potassium is normal and with the doctor's supervision, studies seem to show that loading up with potassium (for example from bananas, tomatos,etc.) may be beneficial in slowing the decline in kidney function.
• Soya products taken in moderation may also be beneficial due to its anti-oxidant effect (but those with polycystic liver should exercise caution).
• Limit the use of artificial sweeteners.

Those are just some important reminders from the PKD webinar. 

These webinars are really informative. You can access the other webinars at the PKD Webinars site of the PKD Fooundation.

You may also want kidney-friendly recipes courtesy of Kelly Walsh.

Weakness can be hypokalemia in PKD

Last week I received a text from my cousin who also has PKD. She complained to feel weak and easily fatigued. She was tired physically and emotionally because of what she is feeling. I advised her to have a blood workup to include serum potassium.

Her serum creatinine was not that high and everything seem normal except for her serum potassium which was quite low along with her hemoglobin.

Weakness and fatigue are the most common symptoms of hypokalemia or low potassium but many PKD patients are unaware they may have these as manifestations of hypokalemia. Palpitations can accompany these symptoms (palpitations happened to me before when i had hypokalemia).

Well, PKD patients, in case you didn't know hypokalemia can be manifested as weakness, I am telling you now it can especially that the kidneys play a role in its excretion and acid-base balance is an important regulator. The key is to do regular monitoring of blood exam results including your potassium levels.

My cousin was already OK when I saw her this morning. She had been on oral potassium the past days and was smiling already. She also ate potassium-rich foods like banana. She is due for another doctor visit.

Time for Reminiscing Our LMI Days

Tomorrow all roads lead to my alma mater, LMI or Lady Mediatrix Institute, Candelaria, Quezon for the annual reunion of its graduates hosted by high school batch '61 and '86.

Activities will start in the morning with a motorcade and picture taking. Of course the highlight is the evening festivities with fellowship during dinner time and the traditional entertaining program.

It was just 21 years ago when our batch had its high school commencement exercises and it was 27 or 28 years ago when I first stepped into its walls arriving from Cebu.

I was not fluent in tagalog then and my classmates would pinch me to listen to me shout "aguy" or "agay". My teachers not knowing at that time that I came from Cebu (although I was born in Manila), were thinking I was disrespectful to them for I did not use "po" and "opo".

I will never forget LMI.

I credit LMI for "raising me" along with my family as a good Catholic. I will never forget my years as a Knight of the Altar, an altar boy waking up early in the morning to assist in the Holy Mass and play the guitar during weekday or Sunday masses. I will never forget being excused from class to practice with the choir and travel to various places. I will never forget my music mentor Sr. Elisa. She is indeed a great influence and she remains to be a "prayer warrior" of mine along with Sr. Rose and Sr.Celerina.

I will never forget my teachers-- some of them are my facebook friends even praying for me. (Ma'am Annabelle?)

I will never forget Maam Tessie Suayan and her support when we have this Science quiz bowls. (Hi Ma'am. We kicked some butts out there.) I was in good company with the likes of Nieva and Jean Macasaet, Eva Beredo (those are their maiden names), Roy Gerona, and the late Ranel Tibillo. In one of these quiz balls, I even went up against my future highschool classmate. Remember that Jen?

I will never forget Mrs. Tan, Mrs. Caneo, Sir Pagdanganan, Mrs. Mercado, Ma'am Baluyot, and many more.

I will never forget Mr. Reynaldo Tan. Who would have thought that he had a crush on Amy Perez then.

I will never forget the love chain booth, the horror booth, the Tan Miguel shirts, the Netchargers, the volleyball practices, the Ogie Alcasid and Dingdong Avanzado songs, the pormahan, tuksuhan and torpehan, the Baguio and Villa Escudero trips, my pass to the opponent during a Basketball game costing us a win, the COLC, the Wednesday masses, Msgr. Melicia, the Basketball court we helped build, the canteen people, the flag ceremony, panatang makabayan, the daily rosary, the Bible contests, the chorale group contests by year level, the Menudo dance craze, the breakdance, the loveteam duets, the CAT training, my schoolmates and most of all my classmates, batchmates, lifelong friends and (not just "pang-facebook").

Batchmates, I may not be able to join you there in our reunion but my thoughts are with you guys. Inggit nga ako sa December reunion nyo e. Hope you enjoy tomorrow's affair just like old times. See you kahit sa facebook.