Renal failure: It's all relative

Anybody have a spare kidney they’re not using?

Just thought I'd ask.

I’ll need one in a few years, and I had best start my search soon.

Keeping a sense of humor is important.

The nephrologist told me Wednesday that ideally he’d like to see me undergo a living donor kidney transplant, as opposed to opting for dialysis three times a week.

I told him I have no siblings and could never ask a friend, neighbor, or relative for a kidney. Not that I’d be able to ask a sibling if I had one!

It was 36 years ago when I learned that I did in fact inherit polycystic kidney disease from my father’s side of the family. 

He had it as did several of his siblings, nieces, and nephews.

Hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis treatments became commonplace among the relatives. All of them are long gone, so I couldn’t ask them about it if I wanted to!

An older cousin of mine had a kidney transplant about a decade ago and is doing well. I suppose I could contact him.

A year ago I was told to limit my potassium and sodium intake. OK, I’ve been avoiding bananas, avocados, nectarines, spinach, and other "healthy" foods that have a high potassium content. And I've been reading labels and buying lower-sodium items. 

But on Wednesday the nephrologist informed me that phosphorus also is not my phriend. I now have another list of foods containing phosphorus that I should limit or avoid.

I feel like asking the doctor for a list of foods I am able to eat. That might be simpler! The restrictions are looking overwhelming.

I realize kidney transplantation is not as risky as it was 40-plus years ago when my father was on hemodialysis. 

And I also realize that many people have undergone successful transplants. But the concept will take some getting used to.

As a wise person once said, “One day at a time.”

Caregivers of dementia patients invited to support group in Shelton

SHELTON - Do you know or care for someone recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia? Are you in need of support? You’re not alone! 

Caregivers are invited to Wesley Village at 2 p.m. Oct. 15 for an Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Group. 

The group will meet on the third Thursday of every month and offer problem-solving techniques and helpful support for families and caregivers. It will be facilitated by Wesley Village staff trained by the Alzheimer’s Association. 

Your loved one is welcome to participate in activities in a secured environment while you attend the support group. 

For information or to RSVP, call 203-225-5024 or visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org. 

The group will be held at Wesley Heights and Lifestyle Transitions Memory Care at Wesley Village, 580 Long Hill Ave.

Wesley Village is a campus of senior care communities including Crosby Commons Assisted Living Community, Wesley Heights Assisted and Independent Living Apartments and Cottages, Lifestyle Transitions Memory Care at Wesley Heights, and Bishop Wicke Health and Rehabilitation Center. 

The campus is owned and operated by UMH, a local, mission-based, not-for-profit organization serving all members of the community and is located at 580 Long Hill Ave. 

To learn more about the continuum of care offered at Wesley Village or the mission of UMH, please visit www.wesleyvillage-ct.org or contact Lisa Bisson at 203-225-5024.

This is a press release from United Methodist Homes.

Ansonia firefighters plan ziti dinner fundraiser

*Sharing from an Ansonia community updates Facebook page.

Ansonia mayor swears in 2 police officers

Ansonia Mayor David S. Cassetti, left, swears in Ansonia Police Officers Brian Caruso, center, and Alan Luna Wednesday at City Hall. / Submitted photo

Cassetti said, "I am pleased to welcome Officer Luna and Officer Caruso to Ansonia's Police Department. We have a growing Latino population in Ansonia and we want to ensure that they are well represented in city government."


This is a press release from Cassetti's office.

Troop 3 of Derby to host shopping bus trip Saturday

DERBY - Troop 3, Boy Scouts of America, will host a pre-holiday shopping bus trip Saturday to Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley, N.Y.

Find impressive savings at Ann Taylor, Armani, Balenciaga, Banana Republic, Burberry, Coach,  Dior, Ralph Lauren, Prada, Tommy Hilfiger, and many, many more.  
There are 220 outlet stores.

A bus will leave at 7:45 a.m. from the Derby Train Station

and return at 9 p.m. to the train station.

The cost is $45 per person, and includes roundtrip bus and

continental breakfast.

For information contact Pam Neuendorf at 203-650-3281 or pgn210@snet.net, or Carole Cafaro at 203-231-3850 or ccafaro@sbcglobal.net

This information is taken from a flyer from Troop 3.

Ansonia mayor plans second annual State of City address

Budget surplus announcement expected

ANSONIA - Mayor David S. Cassetti will hold his second annual State of the City address at 7 p.m. Oct. 15 at Ansonia High School.

All residents, taxpayers, and Ansonia-based business owners are invited and highly encouraged to attend.

Mayor Cassetti

The State of the City address provides an opportunity for the mayor and his city department heads to update residents on the progress made in Ansonia over the past year. 

The address will feature presentations from the mayor, Treasurer Judy Larkin Nicolari, Economic Development Director Sheila O’Malley, and Public Works Superintendent Douglas Novak, among others.

“It is my goal to foster an open and transparent city government,” Cassetti said. “The State of the City address offers an opportunity for Ansonia residents to meet their public officials face to face and obtain information in the most direct manner possible.”

This year Cassetti is expected to make several important announcements regarding the financial health of the city. Specifically, it is anticipated that an announcement will be made concerning a budget surplus and growth in the grand list.

“At this time all I will say is that Ansonia’s finances are continuing to improve,“ Cassetti said.

Other featured topics will include economic development. “Ansonia is truly charging forward,” Cassetti said. "I cannot wait to share all the details on Oct. 15."

This is a press release from Mayor David S. Cassetti's office.

Derby opens new footbridge at Witek Memorial Park

Lower spillway at Witek Memorial Park was recently repaired. / Contributed photo

DERBY – Just in time for the arrival of the fall hiking season, the new footbridge at Witek Memorial Park is officially opened to the public.

The project was the result of successful collaboration among city staff, Derby aldermen, and community business partners including D’Amico Associates, DiGiovanni & Sons Construction, and A Quick Pick Crane and Rigging Service.

The nine-foot by 22-foot wooden bridge will enable hikers to now safely travel over the spillway and around the lower reservoir without having to traverse the steep hill below the dam and enter Academy Hill Road. 

The bridge includes aprons at either end to allow for wheelchair access.

The footbridge is only one of the projects Derby Public Works recently completed at Witek Memorial Park, a 144-acre park on Derby’s east side. 

The park features two reservoirs, several walking and hiking trails, and two soccer fields.

“Because the bridge was built by DPW employees, labor and materials only cost the city about $8,000,” said DPW Director Anthony DeFala. “If we had outsourced the job, it would have probably cost about $50,000,” DeFala said. Additional improvements recently completed at Witek Park include:

• Replacement of the roof on a small accessory building near the spillway

• Installation of new fencing

• Newly landscaped entry way 

• Repairs to the parking lot and drainage system along Academy Hill Road 

• Improvements to the parking area near the soccer fields

• Repairs to the lower spillway in accordance with mandates by state dam inspector

Mayor Anita Dugatto praised the improvements. “The work done at Witek Park was motivated by a concern for public safety and persistent maintenance needs. By doing as much work as possible in-house, we controlled our costs and were able to maximize our investment in this community asset,” she said.

This is a press release from Mayor Anita Dugatto's office.