Shortly after joining this forum and getting into All Things Oolong and Gong Fu Cha Brweing, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Kidney Disease, Acute Hypothyroidism, and Hypertension (in the space of one year went from normal to 180/110 blood pressure).
My nephrologist banned me from tea. In the meant time, my sister developed kidney disease and my aunt went into renal failure..ndicating there was a genetic componant to our familial kidney and thyroid woes. A year later my aunt passed away from compications due to a fistuala graft infection and type 1 adult onset diabetes. Sad and scary times especially since my aunt was the perfect patient and had previously had a n acitve healthy lfestyle. She turned out to have an imune disorder where her body was attacking and scarring her kdiney.
I kept my teapots, pulling them out from time to time to admire. I gave away my tea stash to one of my best friends who loves tea. Still honestly it sucked to have to give tea up after just getting into it seriously.
As I started treating my hypothyroidfism, my kidney function increased dramatically. The last two years I have been at Stage 1/normal kidney function. Even better news is that my nephrologist gave me the OK for moderate tea drinking...as in several times a month for now, until we see how the kidneys handle it.
So I am back. I missed you guys ...but at the time I was overwhlemed. Also being here wold remind me of what I could not have (at the time). So glad to be back though..best news of 2018, I can have tea - yay!
Sorry to those with whom I lost contact. I was just in over my head and shocked at the time. Sorry to dissapear without a trace
Mary
