Tonic Water

Today I watched a fellow dialysis patient experience what looked like a major leg cramp. It was strange because I could see by the expression on her face that she was in pain but what could I do to help? Nothing. She just had to wait for the cramp to pass.

Finally, it did.

I previously wrote about my own ordeal with leg cramps and how not taking diuretic pills helped, but I forgot to mention Tonic Water.

Tonic Water contains something called quinine, which works as a natural muscle relaxer. I stock up on the generic brand of diet Tonic Water and each morning before I leave the house for dialysis, I swig back four or five big gulps of the stuff. It works! I also take some at night to help with Restless Leg Syndrome (one of the many side effects of kidney failure). So far, so good.

Life isn't for the weak, is it? I mean, each one of us is the accumulation of a massive race of atoms, molecules, cells, time and space all competing to get here and form each one of us. To form YOU and help make YOU who you are right now. Isn't that something? If you think about it, that is reason enough to fight for life. But you have to keep the fight alive.

For me, the fight is diabetes, kidney failure, dialysis and a pending organ transplant. For you, it might be some other combination of things. Work, money, marriage, raising a child, etc. Whatever it is, each one of us is fighting the fight to stay alive. But more importantly, we're winning!

Every now and then it's a good idea to stop and think about what you've accomplished and count yourself lucky to be here. Looking back, you can see how much you have in your favor. You can see how the universe has worked it's magic for you to be here. To live your life. To make a difference. To be you.

I'm glad you're here, and I'm glad I'm here with you. Thanks for making the voyage a little easier.