I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Introduction => Introduce Yourself => Topic started by: Leon on May 11, 2009, 08:27:01 AM
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At this point, I'm not certain that I belong but, a high school friend suggested that I consider. Here's my story. In 2005, I got a sore throat. Doctor said "viral infection, get comfortable and ride it out". I could not eat food so drank milk, juice, lots and lots of water, ate Popsicles, frozen yogurt and regular yogurt. Three days later, the wife took me to the hospital. I had lost 75#, could not hold a cup in my hand, had strange hallucinations, and had drunk so much water that when I swallowed, I spilled, every time.
The doctor in the Emergency room could not figure it out until I shared about the hallucinations. They then checked my blood sugar and it was 1,186. Seems I was in acute renal shut down and was a full blown Type II diabetic.
Turns out, type II diabetes is caused by exposure to Agent Orange from service in Vietnam. Looks like I lost more than my fiance while serving. I am now rated 80% disabled with significant function loss. On the other hand, I am controlling my blood sugar pretty well and the test results have not gotten worse over the last two years. So, holding my own for now.
Seems that when we get older, we start looking up high school friends. On classmates, a lady visited my page. I did not remember her but thought she might remember me so I replied. Seems she had to quit teaching due to her kidney disease and dialysis. She suggested that I check out the site so here I am. Perhaps I can pick up some pointers. I suspect that I will read many tales that will encourage me to work hard to stay away from dialysis.
Best Regards,
Leon
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Sounds like you belong here. Happy you found us. This site is wonderful, and you will find lots of information along with support. Good luck. Check in with us often.
:welcomesign;
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Welcome to our community!
:beer1;
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Welcome, Leon!
Aleta :welcomesign;
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:welcomesign; Leon. Great introduction and sure glad you found us. We are loaded with support and information. We all pray you can keep things under control for a long time to come so you can stay off dialysis. Hope we hear more from you. :cuddle;
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Leon, I'm so glad you gave us a try. We are here for those predialysis, on dialysis and post transplant. So, I'm sure you will learn lots.
:welcomesign;
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Thank you for the service to our country. :welcomesign;
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Welcome Leon, good to have you aboard.
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:waving; Hi Leon, Sounds to me like your in the right place. I've only been here a short while, and have learned much. I wish you the best, and welcome you to the best place I ever found!! :welcomesign;
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Thanks to all of you. I was astounded to see that anyone had replied to my post. I appreciate your comments and having read some of the other introductions this morning, agree that this is one place I belong.
A special note to Romona; Not knowing your age (I probably failed to look), you may, or may not know that members of the military were pretty much universally despised when we returned from Vietnam. I suspect that many had experiences similar to mine in that I was shunned by almost everyone I knew, spit on by some that I did not know, and accosted and assaulted by others still. I spent two tours in Vietnam as a combat medic and operating room technician. No one cared what I did. They only cared that I wore the uniform. I spent another 8 years in the United States Marine Corps trying to regain my self respect. Except for my wife and other members of the military, no one ever said thank you until 2006. I guess, it's hard for Americans to thank someone for loosing. So, a very special thank you to Romona. You're my kind of girl. For everyone, please be reminded that those that are serving today serve where our Civilian government has decided they should go. Our appreciation is the only thing of real value that they get. Keep this in mind when you vote.
I know, much too much.
Warm regards to all,
Leon
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:welcomesign; I'm the youngest on here, aged 16 :) This forum is really good and hope you stay as long as possible :D