Berrie Straatman undergoes dialysis treatments three times a week at the Fresenius Medical Care dialysis center on Kapahulu Avenue but doesn’t let that get in the way of his exercise routine and active lifestyle.
The 74-year-old Honolulu resident recently finished his first marathon in six hours, despite living with kidney failure. He has competed in several half marathons and 10K races in both Hawaii and Guam, winning many races in the 60-plus age category. Straatman beat his own time at the Honolulu half marathon a few weeks ago, finishing in two hours and 29 minutes. He runs in the Great Aloha Run each year and is training for the North Shore and Honolulu marathons.
"I started running when I was 58. I tried it one time and got hooked," he said. "I reached my peak at the age of 63 when I was living in Guam."
Straatman moved to Hawaii in 2009 but makes trips to Guam a couple of times each year. Traveling has not been a problem, but does require extra planning. "I need to make arrangements to get dialysis at my destination. I’m tired right after dialysis, so I come home and rest for a few hours, and the next day I’m good."
About five years ago Straatman experienced a sharp decline in kidney function. By September 2010 "my kidney function was down to 6 percent," he said, "so I began dialysis."
There’s no clear explanation for his kidney failure. One of the main reasons people end up on dialysis is because of diabetes, he explained.
"I’m not diabetic," he said. "I did have some hypertension that may have accelerated the decline. I took lots of antibiotics, which I think may have been the main cause."
Straatman had to give up his vegetarian lifestyle to meet the nutritional needs of his illness. These run counter to most dietary advice. He needs to eat white bread, not whole grains that his body can no longer process, for instance. He works with dietitians on meal plans that include lots of protein and limits sodium, sugar, potassium and phosphorus.
"I cannot eat bean and tofu products because they are high in phosphorus, so I need to eat some meat for protein," he explained.
"I’ve always maintained a healthy lifestyle. I’d eat right and exercise, so it was a bummer that I got the kidney problem."
One of Fresenius’ lifestyle initiatives is to encourage people with kidney failure to get moving. Because March is National Kidney Month, Straatman hopes to raise awareness of his plight and inspire others in similar situations.
"You can still have an active lifestyle even though you are on dialysis," he said.
Straatman continues to go on long runs every Sunday.
Although he must limit the amount of liquid he drinks, he said he doesn’t worry when running because he sweats out what his kidneys can’t absorb. On long runs he uses gel energy packs that help to maintain blood glucose levels, prevent muscle damage and aid in recovery.
"They’re available at running stores and really help," he said.
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“Be Well” features inspiring stories of people dealing with health challenges. Reach Nancy Arcayna at narcayna@staradvertiser.com or call 529-4808.
