I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Introduction => Introduce Yourself => Topic started by: joanna2007 on March 05, 2007, 08:37:52 PM

Title: New to IHD
Post by: joanna2007 on March 05, 2007, 08:37:52 PM
Hi all,
   I'm a 58 yr old widow who was first diagnosed with CKD back in 1982.  At the time it wasn't any big deal just went to the neph every year and slowly my GFR has dropped to 13%, BUN 73.  Remarkably I still feel good, no outward signs except I get tired and need a nap every now and then.  I'm not on dialysis (yet) and I am on the transplant list as of last month.

   I was married for 34 years to a wonderful man, he died in 2001 of a heart attack at age 52. I have two grown sons, and 3 grandkids.  My 17 year old grand-daughter, Katie, lives with me ...... we have 2 cats, a dog and a bunny to keep us company.   

   I live in Northern Indiana on an acre and I'm able to take care of all of the lawncare and gardening.  (The weeds overtake the flower beds, but I do manage to keep the lawn mowed)

   I'm hoping that I can hold off on dialysis and go directly to a transplant.   Really my hope is I can just maintain the GFR I have and feel as good as I do for several more years.  I don't know if I'm just in denial or if that's a real possibility.       Joanna
Title: Re: New to IHD
Post by: Sluff on March 05, 2007, 08:39:40 PM
Welcome to IHD Joanna,

I don't think you are in denial I think you are just hopeful. Nothing wrong with that!!

I hope you learn a lot from IHD because there is a wealth of information now at your fingertips.

Great picture too!!

It is great to have you become part of our family here.

Sluff / Administrator
Title: Re: New to IHD
Post by: Bajanne on March 05, 2007, 08:44:59 PM
Welcome to our community, and to our IHD family.  Thanks for joining us.  There is lots here for you to read - lots that will help to prepare you for whatever you might face - transplant, or dialysis.  I hope you get through with your transplant and not have to go through dialysis, but if you do, we will be here for you.
Keep us posted on your progress, using General Discussion (or Transplant Stories!)
 :grouphug;

Bajanne, Moderator
Title: Re: New to IHD
Post by: mcjane on March 05, 2007, 08:47:12 PM
Hi Joanna, glad to meet you & welcome you to IHD. How nice of you to post your picture, what a pretty smile you have.

Jane
Title: Re: New to IHD
Post by: kitkatz on March 05, 2007, 08:49:35 PM
Welocme.  You will find all kinds of stories and people here.
Title: Re: New to IHD
Post by: joanna2007 on March 05, 2007, 08:54:47 PM
Thanks for all the welcomes.  I think I'm going to find this website very helpful.
Title: Re: New to IHD
Post by: Zach on March 05, 2007, 09:13:27 PM
Really good to have you here!    ;)
Title: Re: New to IHD
Post by: Joe Paul on March 05, 2007, 09:59:56 PM
Welcome Joanna, good to have you aboard.
Title: Re: New to IHD
Post by: tamara on March 06, 2007, 01:20:40 AM
Hey Joanna,

 :welcomesign;

Hope you enjoy the site. This place is not only a site it is also a support group. We are here for each other in many ways, a question answered, a shoulder to cry on, or even just a laugh or a chat.

Anyway hope to see you around here.

Tamara xxx ooo  :beer1;  :cuddle;  :beer1;
Title: Re: New to IHD
Post by: Wattle on March 06, 2007, 01:31:06 AM




 :welcomesign;  Joanna.   I am glad you found us.
Title: Re: New to IHD
Post by: kimcanada on March 06, 2007, 03:51:23 AM
 :welcomesign; Joanna

Kim
Title: Re: New to IHD
Post by: thegrammalady on March 06, 2007, 07:37:40 AM
:welcomesign; nothing is impossible, everyone is different we all have a different point of view and reaction to many of the same things
Title: Re: New to IHD
Post by: MyssAnne on March 06, 2007, 11:06:54 AM
Another Hoosier!!!  :clap; :clap; Yay!!! I just joined yesterday, my, how time flies! I live in Muncie, so that's
Central Indiana!  :welcomesign; :welcomesign;
Title: Re: New to IHD
Post by: Jill D. on March 06, 2007, 06:46:05 PM
 :welcomesign; Joanna!
That's awesome that your disease has progressed so slowly. I hope that you can get a transplant before dialysis! My story is similar to yours...if you don't mind me asking, what is the cause of your CKD?
Title: Re: New to IHD
Post by: joanna2007 on March 06, 2007, 08:07:58 PM
I honestly don't know what the cause of my CKD.  I have a few ideas, but the docs have never confirmed my suspiscions.  When I was diagnosed in 1982 we had just came home from a vacation to the Grand Canyon and we had hiked to Plateau Point, it was a grueling all day hike.  After that I developed severe pitting edema,  many tests and doctor visits and after a bioposy I was finally diagnosed with membraneous glomerilu nephritos  (sorry for the spelling    :'()   I was told to stay away from Advil and other than that not much concern until my GFR dropped to under 20.  My last blood test was GFR of 13....ugh.  When did you have to go on dialysis...what was your numbers?  I see your sister donated a kidney, how is that going for the two of you? 

                        Joanna
Title: Re: New to IHD
Post by: anja on March 06, 2007, 08:27:46 PM
 :welcomesign; Joanna2007 to the community!  Really great picture.   :2thumbsup;
Title: Re: New to IHD
Post by: kelliOR on March 07, 2007, 03:24:13 PM
Hi Joanna,

Nice to meet you!       kelli
Title: Re: New to IHD
Post by: Jill D. on March 08, 2007, 04:53:05 PM
I honestly don't know what the cause of my CKD.  I have a few ideas, but the docs have never confirmed my suspiscions.  When I was diagnosed in 1982 we had just came home from a vacation to the Grand Canyon and we had hiked to Plateau Point, it was a grueling all day hike.  After that I developed severe pitting edema,  many tests and doctor visits and after a bioposy I was finally diagnosed with membraneous glomerilu nephritos  (sorry for the spelling    :'()   I was told to stay away from Advil and other than that not much concern until my GFR dropped to under 20.  My last blood test was GFR of 13....ugh.  When did you have to go on dialysis...what was your numbers?  I see your sister donated a kidney, how is that going for the two of you? 

                        Joanna
Hi Joanna - like you, my disease (FSGS) was slow progressing. I had a transplant evaluation when my GFR was at 15, with the hope to have a transplant before dialysis, but started dialysis when my GFR was around 8. You can read the details in my intro at http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=1313.0

My sister and I are both doing great..she just went for her 3 month follow up (and is doing great!) and I go for my follow up at the end of this month.

I wish you the best!
Title: Re: New to IHD
Post by: paris on March 08, 2007, 06:36:18 PM
Welcome - it isn't denial - it is hope, we all need hope or we couldn't get cope with this disease.   :welcomesign;
Title: Re: New to IHD
Post by: billoggblog on March 09, 2007, 12:48:43 PM
Hi Joanna,  :welcomesign; Keep Positive :2thumbsup; :2thumbsup; :clap;
Bill.
Title: Re: New to IHD
Post by: jedimaster on March 10, 2007, 09:58:16 AM
 :welcomesign;