Many Many Questions!

A little over a dozen of us showed up for the lawyer presentation and Q&A time about end of life planning.  However, we asked enough questions for four times that number of people!  Amy Davidson of the Law Offices of Nay and Friedenberg was very informative and it was nice to have an intimate group to be sharing such intimate matters.  End of life issues may be a little closer to home for those of us with chronic illness.  It was really comforting to be with a group of people willing to have an open and supportive discussion about wishes, share experiences, and ask uncomfortable questions in a comfortable setting.  This was certainly one of the more information dense presentations we have had so far. 

The speaker for our next meeting is a little up in the air.  We are hoping to find a dietitian to come and speak, but if anyone has suggestions or ideas for someone specific, please give Troyce or Yasuyo a phone call!

See you next time!

One Year and Counting

A moderate number of us in the kidney group braved the drippy weather and showed up for the one year anniversary for roasted chicken dinner and a talent show.  Troyce emceed and played a couple of songs with a member of his band.  Esther sang some opera.  Patty and Yasuyo brought much of the food and decorations thanks in part to some funding from the National Kidney Foundation.  The highlight of the celebration was the dancing of children and teens from the Tibetan community. 

Here we see the traditional instrumentation and beautiful traditional garments of the young women.

The younger group is performing here.

The boys have their chance to dance too!

Between the dancers and their family members, the room became brightly colored and crowded.  What a joy it was to have them all come and perform for us!  It is amazing how much we have accomplished in one year.  We will be taking a break for the holidays, but don't miss our next meeting in January!  We will have a presentation by a lawyer on advance directives, a highly valuable presentation for anyone with chronic health problems.  From all of us in the Portland Kidney Group, we hope you have a safe and healthy holiday season and hope that you join us in 2011!

Getting to Know Each Other in a Non-Kidney Way

That's really what the upcoming event in November, celebrating our one year anniversary, is all about.  Remember the days in kindergarten when you couldn't wait for show and tell?  It's important as a community to share our loves and dreams as well as our frustrations with kidney disease.  This is a chance for all of us to get to know each other as whole people, so I hope you all can find something to share with us to celebrate our one year anniversary!!!  If you can't think of something, please come and lend your eyes and your ears and join in the fun!  If you would like to share something that has equipment needs, please contact Troyce so he can set that up for you.