I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Introduction => Introduce Yourself => Topic started by: glowbrightly on December 15, 2008, 01:52:37 PM

Title: transplant newbie dialysis oldbie!
Post by: glowbrightly on December 15, 2008, 01:52:37 PM
Hi everyone,

I have only recently got into using these message boards to talk about kidney related stuff and I must say I think they're fab!! Was reading some of the threads and it seems like there are a lot of lovely caring people on here.

I am 23 years old (24 on Thursday!) and I was diagnosed with ESRF in Dec 2003 when I was 19 and on holiday in California. I had been feeling utterly rubbish for ages beforehand but being a stubborn teenager I didn't want to go to the doctor and instead put it down to being young and burning the candle at both ends!

After being taken seriously ill in California and spending a week in ICU I flew back to London, England and started hemodialysis. After a while, once I had got a bit stronger I transferred to APD which worked for me for a while, but after 3 years I was spending 10 hours on the machine at night not to mention a day time exchange. I was ill and fed up, and due to a mean doctor threatening me with hemodialysis like it was the worst thing in the world I kept quiet about how ill I felt and instead waited till it was so bad I had to be admitted. I switched over to hemo for 2 years which worked really well for me. During this time my whole family had been tested to be a donor but they were not matches. In August of this year a very good friend of mine, Oli, came forward to be a donor and miraculously was a match! The op went ahead  on 17th Oct and 8 weeks down the line I feel fab! He is an utter hero.

I wrote a day by day account of my transplant on my blog questforakidney.blogspot.com if you would like to check it out.

Best wishes to all of you.

Holly
Title: Re: transplant newbie dialysis oldbie!
Post by: boxman55 on December 15, 2008, 02:26:58 PM
Hi Holly, welcome to IHD. Your intro was great. Oli is a true hero and I am glad you get to move forward with your life. Please keep us posted on your transplant and we all look forward to having you as a member

Boxman,Moderator
Title: Re: transplant newbie dialysis oldbie!
Post by: monrein on December 15, 2008, 02:43:11 PM
 :welcomesign;   :canadaflag;  Welcome Holly.  Loved your blog and your intro here.  Oli is a hero, I don't have to tell you that.  I went on dialysis the first time at 26, did 5 years of D and then had a transplant for just over 23 years.  I'm now back on hemo, waiting for a trx from my sister-in-law.  We're now just waiting for a date and hoping nothing gets screwed up in the meantime.

Post often Holly.  Your attitude sounds wonderful and I'm so glad that your life is getting back on track
Title: Re: transplant newbie dialysis oldbie!
Post by: Romona on December 15, 2008, 02:44:08 PM
 :welcomesign; Hi Holly!
Title: Re: transplant newbie dialysis oldbie!
Post by: kellyt on December 15, 2008, 02:48:45 PM
 :welcomesign;  Holly!  Congratulations on your transplant!  You're two weeks ahead of me!  I celebrate six weeks on Wednesday!  What a blessing, huh?  I got my new kidney from my sister-in-law (husband's sister).  Oli is a true hero!  They BOTH are!    I'm going to go read your blog!

Again, welcome!  You will love it here.    :grouphug;
Title: Re: transplant newbie dialysis oldbie!
Post by: willieandwinnie on December 15, 2008, 03:02:37 PM
:welcomesign; Holly. Glad you found us and congratulations on your transplant. You'll love it here. We hope to hear more from you and I'm going to check your site too.  :cuddle;
Title: Re: transplant newbie dialysis oldbie!
Post by: jessup on December 15, 2008, 03:30:20 PM
G'day and  :welcomesign;
I will now go and check out your blog
Title: Re: transplant newbie dialysis oldbie!
Post by: kidney4traci on December 15, 2008, 04:04:09 PM
 :welcomesign; lovely intro... will check out your blog....  congrats on the new kidney and great friend!!!!!!!
Title: Re: transplant newbie dialysis oldbie!
Post by: Bajanne on December 15, 2008, 10:31:58 PM
Welcome to our community!  So glad that you found us!  What wonderful news :yahoo;  We will add you to our list of those with transplants.  Oli is a hero!  Let him know that we would love to have him join us.  We have people here from every perspective of this renal challenge - patients, loved ones, donors, doctors, nurses, you name it!  And we are together a lovely caring and sharing family  :grouphug;  Looking forward to hearing more from you.


Bajanne, Moderator
Title: Re: transplant newbie dialysis oldbie!
Post by: G-Ma on December 15, 2008, 10:38:22 PM
 :welcomesign;
Title: Re: transplant newbie dialysis oldbie!
Post by: Joe Paul on December 15, 2008, 10:41:07 PM
Welcome Holly, good to have you aboard.
Title: Re: transplant newbie dialysis oldbie!
Post by: glowbrightly on December 16, 2008, 05:17:23 AM
Thank you so much for all your lovely replies! Great to hear from you! Can't wait to get stuck in reading and posting on the rest of the forum now! x
Title: Re: transplant newbie dialysis oldbie!
Post by: paris on December 16, 2008, 04:37:59 PM
 :welcomesign;   Glad you joined this great group.  This is the best site for information and for valuable support.  We really care for each other.  I look forward to more of your posts.   
Welcome to the IHD family   :grouphug;




paris, Moderator
Title: Re: transplant newbie dialysis oldbie!
Post by: RichardMEL on December 16, 2008, 08:25:05 PM
Welcome Holly!! What an introduction to dialysis/ESRD you had - on holiday in another country to boot!!! I am so glad in the end your friend came forward and you have the beautiful gift right before your birthday!!!! That's just sensational! Hoping it lasts for many years to come and you can live a full and happy life!! Happy Birthday!!!!

 :cuddle;
Title: Re: transplant newbie dialysis oldbie!
Post by: glowbrightly on December 17, 2008, 04:45:12 AM
Aw thank you so much! This'll be the first birthday that I haven't felt ill in years! woop!
x
Title: Re: transplant newbie dialysis oldbie!
Post by: nursewratchet on December 17, 2008, 05:07:41 AM
[b]Happy Birthday to You![/i] [/b]  Welcome... :flower;
Title: Re: transplant newbie dialysis oldbie!
Post by: paul.karen on December 17, 2008, 05:28:12 AM
 :waving; Holly,

What a story that is.  Nothing like being so many miles away from home and getting stuck in an ICU unit.
I am so glad thart Oli stepped up to the plate for you.
Nothing like a happy ending to a sad story.  Welcome to IHD.
P&K
And an Early Happy Borthday to you  :birthday; :bestwishes;
 :beer1;