I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Introduction => Introduce Yourself => Topic started by: msleeter on January 10, 2009, 08:43:47 AM

Title: New from Pennsylvania
Post by: msleeter on January 10, 2009, 08:43:47 AM
Hey Everyone!  I'm 34 years old and up until last summer I was completely healthy.  In October of 2008 I ended up in the hospital for what I thought was just a "normal" sickness and dehydration.  After multiple tests and biopsies I was diagnosed with Goodpasture's Syndrome.  Antibodies were attacking and destroying my kidneys.  I have been on dialysis 3 times a week, plasmapheresis treatments at various times, and chemotherapy treatments once a month for the past 3.5 months. 

Unfortunately when I ended up in the hospital initially, I just started a new job and only worked for 8 days.  I ended up losing my job so now I have been unemployed and just unable to work due to my health, doctors appointments, and multiple hospitalizations.  Looking forward to being part of a community that understands some of the things I am going through.

-Mark


Title: Re: New from Pennsylvania
Post by: Zach on January 10, 2009, 08:45:39 AM
Welcome to our community!
 :beer1;
Title: Re: New from Pennsylvania
Post by: willieandwinnie on January 10, 2009, 08:47:35 AM
:welcomesign; Mark. Well, we are glad you found us. Lots of information and support on this site. I'm sorry to hear about your health issues and job. Have you applied for Social Security? Hope we hear more from you and please take some time to read the older posts, lots of information there also. Again, welcome to the group.  :cuddle;
Title: Re: New from Pennsylvania
Post by: Wenchie58 on January 10, 2009, 08:50:58 AM
Hi Mark!  Welcome to the group.  You'll be able to
learn much here or just vent and yell if thats what
you need to do!
Title: Re: New from Pennsylvania
Post by: Razman on January 10, 2009, 09:46:22 AM
You've had a rough ride for the past few months.  I  hope that you will visit often.  There are lots of people that you can share with.
Title: Re: New from Pennsylvania
Post by: Joe Paul on January 10, 2009, 10:04:49 AM
Welcome Mark, good to have you aboard.
Title: Re: New from Pennsylvania
Post by: jessup on January 10, 2009, 10:10:43 AM
G'day and  :welcomesign;
Title: Re: New from Pennsylvania
Post by: wrandym on January 10, 2009, 10:53:47 AM
Hello Mark!
Title: Re: New from Pennsylvania
Post by: cookie2008 on January 10, 2009, 11:04:48 AM
 :welcomesign;
Title: Re: New from Pennsylvania
Post by: monrein on January 10, 2009, 02:59:59 PM
 :welcomesign;  you won't ever regret joining this site if it's understanding of what you're going through that you're after.  We get it and then some.
Title: Re: New from Pennsylvania
Post by: Romona on January 10, 2009, 03:32:51 PM
 :welcomesign;
Title: Re: New from Pennsylvania
Post by: boxman55 on January 10, 2009, 03:39:59 PM
Hi Mark, So glad you found our website. Please take some time reading posts and join in alot. There is a lot of experience with kidney failure here and we all can be of some help with any questions you might have. Welcome again.

Boxman,Moderator
Title: Re: New from Pennsylvania
Post by: wrandym on January 10, 2009, 08:34:06 PM
Where in PA are you?  I think you might be th closest IHD member to me...
Title: Re: New from Pennsylvania
Post by: msleeter on January 11, 2009, 03:39:59 PM
Thanks everyone for the welcome!


Title: Re: New from Pennsylvania
Post by: David13 on January 11, 2009, 04:43:07 PM
Welcome to the site, Mark!  You will find a great deal of information here and will also find an understanding community with which to communitcate.  I hope to see you posting often.
Title: Re: New from Pennsylvania
Post by: Wattle on January 11, 2009, 04:44:51 PM
 :waving;  Hi Mark
Title: Re: New from Pennsylvania
Post by: MandaMe1986 on January 12, 2009, 08:22:14 AM
 :waving; hi
Title: Re: New from Pennsylvania
Post by: paul.karen on January 12, 2009, 10:10:15 AM
 :waving;  MArk

Wow so much for a simple sickness huh.
Hope to se you post often.
P&K
Title: Re: New from Pennsylvania
Post by: Bajanne on January 13, 2009, 01:52:05 PM
Welcome to our community, Mark!  You have definitely come to the right place.  You were really handed a enormous challenge!  But one thing I am always amazed at - the strength of the human spirit in the face of difficulties!  So you are going to make it through this.  As the quote says ' That which does not destroy us, only makes us stronger'.  So welcome to the IHD family  :grouphug;  You are going to find this place a real weapon in your dealing with this renal challenge.  So keep reading and keep posting.  Let us know how you are doing.
Looking forward to hearing from you. :flower;




Bajanne, Moderator
Title: Re: New from Pennsylvania
Post by: G-Ma on January 13, 2009, 01:59:09 PM
 :welcomesign;   to a great group of people.  Yes, many of us just "found out" our kidneys were failing.  I'm astounded by how many of us on vacation or just time away.
Ann
Title: Re: New from Pennsylvania
Post by: paris on January 21, 2009, 07:40:11 PM
Welcome, Mark.  We are glad you joined. This is an incredible site, full of information and great support.  Ask questions.  We are all in this together.   :grouphug;






paris, Moderator
Title: Re: New from Pennsylvania
Post by: Normie on January 27, 2009, 07:00:55 PM
Hi Mark and  :welcomesign;

Glad you found us and joined.  We are here to help each other.

Wow, what a shock that must have been for you.  So sorry that you lost your job.  Amazing isn't it how a job can just dump you when things go wrong. 

How are you handling finances?  With only being on the job for 8 days you couldn't have had insurance.  Kidney problems are bad enough without the money problems.  Hope it is working out for you.

Great information and support here.

Best of luck,
                                  :grouphug;
Normie
Title: Re: New from Pennsylvania
Post by: msleeter on January 31, 2009, 06:59:46 PM
Thanks for the welcome Normie. Finances are getting tight, but doing ok so far. My wife works full time and has survived a recent round of layoffs. Thankfully I am under my wife's insurance so that has been huge in this situation. Medicare just started the beginning of this calendar year for me so that will help. I guess I'm just trying to take things one day at a time. Each day is different in regards to how I feel physically so it keeps things interesting.

-Mark
Title: Re: New from Pennsylvania
Post by: Dan.Larrabee on January 31, 2009, 11:14:38 PM
Welcome Mark. I am new as well and have not even posted my story yet. From what I can tell, we have allot of new friends!!