I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Introduction => Introduce Yourself => Topic started by: ktpuppers on June 03, 2007, 07:57:42 PM

Title: Hello from St. Louis
Post by: ktpuppers on June 03, 2007, 07:57:42 PM: My name is Ken and I just discovered this site and thought it was great. It was just happenstance that I came across the site. I was looking for advice on setting up for home hemodialysis.

Here is a little background. I was diagnosed with FSGS (focal segmental glomerulo sclerosis) in 1980. My original kidneys quit after 3 years. The docs decided to do a forearm fistula because I needed to be on dialysis for 1 year in an effort to keep the FSGS at bay. I received a transplant from my father that lasted 3 years and then received a 2nd transplant 2 months after the first failed. The 2nd lasted 2 years. Both succombed to FSGS. Luckily, this got me through high school. I returned to dialysis when I was 20 years old and waited for another transplant. I waited 5 years. In that time, I graduated college with a degree in historic preservation and began my master degree and got engaged. After I got my 3rd transplant in 1994, I married Katy (yes, for those who enjoy old music, her name is now Kate Smith) and moved to South Carolina for a position with South Carolina State Parks. We moved back to Missouri after 2 years. My transplant lasted a few more years and, again, succombed to FSGS in 1999. I have been on in-center hemo since that time and am presently working as the Assistant Site Administrator for on of Missouri's state parks. In an effort to increase my promotional opportunities, I need to create some flexibility in my schedule, thus creating a need for setting up home dialysis. I am currently on the list awaiting a possible 4th transplant. But, until that time, dialysis sure beats the alternative (this is my usual response when someone asks how I can tolerate dialysis).

Ken Smith
(ktpuppers)
Title: Re: Hello from St. Louis
Post by: kitkatz on June 03, 2007, 08:19:51 PM: I wante to give you a personal welcome to the IHD.com site. You will find alot of information and help here. :bandance;

Kitkatz,moderator

Here is a brief tour to get you started.

The area that generates a lot of discussion about dialysis is the general discussion topics:
http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?board=2.0
This area of the forum is where the meat and potatoes of the dialysis world are discussed by the members.
Feel free to post anything you want to discuss or if you have a question.

There are lots of interesting discussions in the off topic area: http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?board=5.0.

There is even a fiction story being written by our members in this area: http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?board=17.0
Home dialysis discussions are in this topic: http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?board=25.0

There is also a search box at the top of the boards to help you in finding topics of interest or answers to your questions. You can refine your search, too.

I hope this short tour has helped you become better acquainted with IHateDialysis.com.

Again, welcome to the site and have fun while you are here.
Title: Re: Hello from St. Louis
Post by: Sluff on June 03, 2007, 10:30:57 PM: Welcome Ken and fellow FSGSer,

You will learn rather quickly how to navigate this site. Thanks for joining IHD, I hope you learn and enjoy your visit here. I'll be looking forward to your posts and whatever input you share.

Sluff, Admin
Title: Re: Hello from St. Louis
Post by: Joe Paul on June 04, 2007, 12:10:23 AM: Welcome Ken, good to have you aboard.
Title: Re: Hello from St. Louis
Post by: Wattle on June 04, 2007, 12:14:14 AM: :waving; Welcome Ken.

I'm glad you found us.

Yep, I agree dialysis sure beats the alternative. :P
Title: Re: Hello from St. Louis
Post by: goofynina on June 04, 2007, 12:34:50 AM: Hi Ken, Welcome to ihatedialysis.com. It sounds like you have had your share of problems with this damn disease and i am sure you have alot to share. I hope you come often and find the time to share some of your experiences and transplant stories with us all. Congratulations on your completion of college, :clap; Looking forward to hearing more from you, welcome again to our wonderful community. :grouphug;

Goofynina/Admin.
Title: Re: Hello from St. Louis
Post by: keefer51 on June 04, 2007, 06:37:59 AM: Welcome Ken. I hope you can enjoy the site. With all your experience you will be a big help.
Title: Re: Hello from St. Louis
Post by: nextnoel on June 04, 2007, 08:48:21 AM: Welcome to the IHD Family, Ken! :welcomesign;
Title: Re: Hello from St. Louis
Post by: Kathleen on June 04, 2007, 09:47:31 AM: Ken
A big howdy from Branson.. :waving;
Title: Re: Hello from St. Louis
Post by: paris on June 04, 2007, 10:08:04 AM: Hi and :welcomesign; also have FSGS and lived for years in St.Peters, Mo. Miss St. Louis alot and still a huge Cardinals fan. This is a great site with a lot of great information.
Title: Re: Hello from St. Louis
Post by: jedimaster on June 04, 2007, 08:44:36 PM: :welcomesign;
Title: Re: Hello from St. Louis
Post by: Zach on June 04, 2007, 08:47:13 PM: Welcome to the community!
:beer1;
Title: Re: Hello from St. Louis
Post by: Laurie on June 05, 2007, 04:39:31 AM: :welcomesign;
Title: Re: Hello from St. Louis
Post by: st789 on June 05, 2007, 07:54:59 AM: Wow, wow, wow. Welcome to the site.
Title: Re: Hello from St. Louis
Post by: lola on June 05, 2007, 02:34:03 PM: :welcomesign;
Title: Re: Hello from St. Louis
Post by: mcjane on June 05, 2007, 08:19:21 PM: Hi Ken & Kate. Welcome, a really interesting post & can't help saying:

God Bless America. :usaflag;
Title: Re: Hello from St. Louis
Post by: angela515 on June 05, 2007, 08:53:59 PM: :welcomesign;
Title: Re: Hello from St. Louis
Post by: anja on June 05, 2007, 10:09:11 PM: :welcomesign; to the community, Ken, glad you joined us!
Title: Re: Hello from St. Louis
Post by: rimbo74 on June 06, 2007, 04:18:56 AM: :welcomesign;

:clap;
Title: Re: Hello from St. Louis
Post by: Earlinda on June 07, 2007, 08:18:47 PM: Welcome to IHD! As a fellow Missourian I am so happy to see you here. :2thumbsup; I think you will really like it here I know I do.

Earlinda
Title: Re: Hello from St. Louis
Post by: Hawkeye on June 13, 2007, 02:02:49 PM: Hello and :welcomesign;