Wander Girl

After the last bomb I dropped, you’d assume my troubles had pretty much calmed down. The heart surgery fixed a lot of issues both seen and unseen in my body. However, the surgery didn’t quite fix everything.

In fact, one thing it definitely didn’t fix is my kidneys. I have known my kidneys have had issues for a number of years, however, it all came to a head in December. To be specific December 9, 2021. It was a Thursday night after my shift at the family history center near my house. I got into bed exhausted and almost immediately my mind shifted. I couldn’t remember what I was doing…. even though I was just lying in bed. I was pretty sure I was having a stroke, due to the symptoms I was having. I went to sleep and hoped to wake up in the morning. The following week I struggled to do basic things, from getting dressed to texting. I felt confused a lot and very “out of myself.”

Fortunately, I was able to receive a blessing a few days later and was reassured that even if it was a stroke, things would work out for the best.

I went to see the doctor the next week and she ordered a CT Scan and MRI to see if she could confirm a possible stroke or to at least figure out what could have possibly happened. After nearly a month of waiting, I was informed that there was absolutely no abnormal activity in my brain. A second stoke did not occur. However, while I was in her office, she informed me that I had only 26% Kidney function. For those that do not know much about the Kidney, 25% kidney function is the beginning of Kidney failure. Of course, not to be down on doctors, because they have saved my life more times than I can count, she wanted to give me more medication. I am tired of being given a “pill” that causes problems with other things. I am on a number of medications and I wanted to be done. I asked her if there was something else I could do that could help my kidneys recover naturally. She was hesitant, but told me I could become vegan or plant based.

Interestingly, a lot of the animal protein we put into our body causes issues with digestion and can block the kidneys from doing their essential functions of helping us clean our bodies.

I started to make the transition to plant based eating on December 27th. I am still not completely converted and there are times I do better than others, but for the most part I try to eat as many plant proteins as I can now to help my kidneys heal.

I have gained 3% kidney function back since December and have another check-up in June to see how my progress is coming. Again, I think the Lord works in mysterious ways. He gave me stroke symptoms which turned out to be nothing to prompt me to go see my doctor who found kidney issues instead and as a result I am now on the road to healing.

For the time being, this is the “END” of my health story, but I am sure as time progresses new issues will arise and hopefully I will be able to conquer as I have to this point. I am working in the gym 3-4 times a week and eating mostly plant based proteins and am seeing positive changes in my life. I anticipate healing and a healthier future, but stay tuned for recipes, music, stories and more as my life continues to be the rollercoaster that is Heidi.