My first 5 Km run after...

The Race for Cure 2014 in Frankfurt, was on my plan since we got back to Germany in Sept 2013 after my transplant. I aspired to run 5 kms at this event.
While I knew, if I wasn't able to, I could opt to walk 2 Kms, I wanted to keep the 5 Kms goal.

I kept myself as active as I could, but it became challenging to get my daily dose of exercise in the last couple of weeks up to 28th September as we played host to visitors at home. I wasn't sure if I was fit enough to do this.

It was hard to shake off the urge to get back to sleep at 6:00 am on the cold, 28th morning and skip the 1 hr drive to Frankfurt.

At the venue I was among 7,000 other participants. :-O
While I got my white t-shirt and company sponsored cap, there were others in pink t-shirts - the 'survivors' and yet others who had a card on their t-shirts with names of loved ones they lost/ praying for...unbelievable spirit.

I hydrated myself well.
A butter pretzels and almond milk and I was at the start line.

The weather was good for a run. I let the fast ones pass me...and ran at my own pace. One walking break as the road went uphill and soon I could see the Finish line and the crowd cheering.

47 min and I finished the long awaited 5 Kms run.
I felt proud of myself :)

This was my first even participation in an event to run. I am really glad that my participation was for an event that helped some people who needed it/ would benefit from it. I am so glad I did this.

Thanks Mom and Nuo :)

A year with Nuo

This day last year my mom, aged 68 donated one of her kidney to help me with my CKD.
I cannot feel grateful enough.
Thank you mommy. I wish and pray that your noble deed serves its purpose as long as it can.

It has been a bumpy year but we've learnt to live in the moment and appreciate joy. We've learnt to appreciate the color gray and live with it in peace. A lot of things have changed, but we have welcomed each aspect of it with open arms.

V and I have come a long way together with this life changing experience. Despite all the upheavals, we seem to be able to find peace within situations.

Thanks for all the love and support from all of our friends and family. It gives us immense strength and encouragement to have you all around us (physically/mentally).

Hoping to spend more such anniversaries together with Nuo in this journey called Life :)

"Uneventful"

A word like "uneventful" is great when it refers to medical examinations.
That was the long story short of the biopsy report.
phew! I could almost feel my blood pressure get back to normal.
No toxicity from Tacrolimus, no rejection...
No change to medications right now. We wait and watch before taking any decisions about change in medicines.

The other nice thing was, the doctor saw me after 4 months and said, "you have lost a lot of weight."
Man!! That felt great to hear. With a daily dose of steroids, amidst all the doctor visits, office tasks, home chores, feeling dull - I have been trying very hard to do some activity on a daily basis.
All thanks to my dear husband who keeps pushing me and pumping up my motivation levels to stop finding excuses and get up and do something.

There were many days when I would have rather just slept for longer/ sat down and done some other stuff. But I'm glad I didn't.

For medical reasons, I learnt that post transplant it is very important to do physical activity to maintain a healthy weight and blood pressure levels. I knew this was good for me.

When someone notices it and tells you...if feels nice too :) - encouraging indeed.

Enjoying the beautiful autumn days

As we wait for the reports and a decision about the future course of my medications, I tried to set a work out schedule for myself. Getting back to the gym after almost 2 years needs a LOT of motivation :( - especially for an outdoor person like me.

Thankfully, the weather has been very nice. Its been a warm and relatively dry late October. I've been making the most of it - riding my mountain bike. 

• Saturday: 16.98 Kms 
• Sunday: It rained all day so did all the home chores
• Monday: 13 kms 
• Tuesday: 9.24 Kms
• Wednesday: 20 Kms (indoors in the gym)
• Thursday: I took it a bit easy and went for a walk in the wine yards instead for 5.20 Kms 
• Friday: I had all intentions to go to the gym again. Before that, I went to my office and saw all these lean/slim good looking people and my 'damaged goods syndrome' (as Lori Hartwell puts it) took over. Depressed - I just got back home and continued working :( 

I know that perhaps I am not pushing myself enough to see some encouraging signs of weight loss. I also know the kind of perseverance needed and the time it takes. So, my efforts are going to be sincere, but I am sure I will have days like today when my mind will not be with me. Thankfully, my husband (V) plays the role to push and encourage me...

Here are some pictures of the wonderful, sunny autumn days I have been taking advantage of to exercise and recover - on days like these I certainly don't need much pushing to get out and get some exercise.