Distraction

So I have not been feeling that well lately. I have been insanely tired, and I'm starting to have an aversion to meat again (which showed up during my July 2009 flare up, and for about 3 months leading up to my August 2010 flare up. ) Some nausea and loss of appetite and lower back pain. Mild enough that it could totally be hysteria, but enough to give me some concern.

 Last labs, done about a month ago, had some iffy numbers. The important stuff was awesome. Protein leakage, blood pressure, creatinine... all down. (Good news.) But then there were some numbers that were not so good. Like how my CO2 levels are down, so I have to drink this nasty sour salty medicine every night. Now I'm not sure what CO2 level being low means exactly. My doctor explained it in a lot of terms I distinctly remember learning and forgetting in Mrs. Porter's high school biology class. But it's a side effect of low renal function. So is the anemia, which has shown up again. (Explains the tired.)

Now, I'm used to the side effects of medicines. The puffy feet, the shortness of breath, the crappy cardiovascular abilities. These are from medicines, not disease. Healthy people can have medicine side effects. (Healthy people aren't usually on the BP meds that cause these... but that's not the point.) My dismay about these particular numbers being off is that these are a direct result of renal insufficiency. These are disease side effects. I was perfectly happy going along as if nothing was really wrong with me, for the most part. I watch the diet, I take my pills (down to only 7 a day now, which seems quite light.) But I'm seeing real chemical changes in my body other than the obvious creatinine levels being elevated. My labs are starting to show more "off" parts, which mean that my sick little kidneys are in fact puttering out. 

Anyway, long story short, I had labs done yesterday morning and while the results should be back by now, my doctor's office is closed until Tuesday, in observance of Memorial Day. So I'll know them if I have anything to legitimately be alarmed about, or if I should just quit whining about my labs not looking like a healthy 27 year old because I'm not one. So in the form of distraction until Tuesday, I give you some garden pictures.

1. Look how green my grass is! (And by grass I mean stubby, sad grass that can't hold a candle to lush, Sugar Land St. Augustine... and clover.) We had some good soaking rains. Of course, we also have mosquitos now, which I don't actually remember ever seeing in Waco before now.

2. My green bell peppers are producing again. For a while I was worried that I got the only two I was going to get.

3. Okra! Did I tell you I had okra? These two were purchased for $0.50 at HEB. They seemed promising in a Charlie Brown Tree way. So I stuck them in a pot. Also note the little basil seedlings coming up. Whee!

4. WTF?

5. Also WTF? My parsley was doing great and suddenly it's all, "Meh. I don't wanna."

6. My cilantro, too. Meh. Maybe that's what started the parsley in getting all lame. I blame the 100 degree weather and my sun-baked little patio. Potato is doing well, I think.

In other news, I made breakfast tacos! Not super low in protein, sodium, or cholesterol, but they were really good. (Actually, they were mostly made from whites, so kinda low cholesterol... until the bacon.) The secret is taking some chopped onion and bell pepper and jarred salsa and heating it in a skillet for a little bit while I cook the eggs. Nice and roasty.  Also, HEB whole wheat tortillas from the bakery are super tasty. Also featured: red bell peppers, strawberries, eggs, one crumbled piece of bacon, and colby jack cheese. And "Simply Apple" fresh apple juice.

Other, other news: Went to my husband's 10 year high school reunion. It was a lot of fun. And on the way back we stopped in College Station to meet some more friends at Blue Baker, which is a magical place. We picked up some garlic herb bread and some focaccia. Om nom nom. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to go inside. I had been sitting outside in my skychair for about 2 hours, but it's quite dark now and I am afraid of the dark.