I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Introduction => Introduce Yourself => Topic started by: oswald on October 18, 2007, 01:51:40 PM
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Hi, Jim Oswald here. I've been a member of IHD for a while now, but just now posting my into...here's a little bit about me:
First found out I had kidney problems when I was denied entry into the Marines outside of high school, back in 1984. I went into End Stage Renal Failure the end of 1995. I had my first transplant (thanks Mom!) the summer of 1996 (after postponing my impending wedding). I had this done at Johns Hopkins Bayview Medical Center and had a horrible experience. I was in the hospital for about 4 months and ultimately my new kidney wouldn't make it...but they didn't remove it...they said it would be more risk for infection...so I went on with my wedding plans the end of 1996 and almost died on my honeymoon...after just about passing out at the airport on the return home, we went to the emergency room where my abdomen pretty much exploded with (this is graphic) stinky green pussy/bloody liquid. Turns out the kidney had abscessed and developed gang green. I was transferred by to JHBayview and they performed an emergency nephrectomy...but they couldn't close it up so once released from the hospital (spending Christmas and New Years there with my new wife) I was sent home where my wife had to clean and pack my open wound for several weeks until I slowed healed from the inside out. Went on the list after that and back on dialysis until I was blessed with a cadaver donor in 1999. That one was difficult at first too, had to have several treatments of plasma pheresis until it kicked in...I was blessed to have that kidney for about 6 years! Then in spring of 2005 it failed and I was back on dialysis and this time signed up with both Johns Hopkins and Washington Hospital center...we got three calls this time from Hopkins, but it wasn't until the third call that another one came through for us this year (4/2007)...and it was a perfect match...a SIX ANTIGENT match! :yahoo; Not only did we think it would take a lot longer to get a kidney this time, we didn't expect a perfect match! What we found out that makes it really cool is that the donor was a soldier who died in Iraq and was kept on life support and brought back home who ultimately died and donated his organs all over the country from Pennsylvania, to Utah, and California and back to me in Maryland! Imagine not only serving his country, but still continuing to give even after he's passed away! Well, I've had an awesome recovery and only had one glitch with a bout of pneumonia a couple months ago, but I'm doing great now...just the normal (although frustrating) problems with bones, dehydration, etc. I thank God everyday for my new kidney and pray the same for all of you! :waving;
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:welcomesign; Thanks for introducing yourself. So glad to hear about the new kidney. That soldier really was a hero many times over. Looking forward to hearing more from you.
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:waving; Hi Jim,
Welcome! I am glad you explained your history a bit as I was confused in the 'Morbid Subject' thread when you said you got a kidney from a soldier in Iraq - couldn't figure out how that transpired. I hope you share more of what you've learned over the years - and also get some support from the awesome group of people here on IHD! Congrats on your new kidney! :2thumbsup;
okarol/moderator
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HI Oswald (Jim) :), Welcome to ihatedialysis.com. WOW, I must say how happy i am that you made it through all that has happend to you :clap; and i am also glad that you found us, i am sure you have much to share with us all and i look forward to hearing more from you :2thumbsup;
Goofynina/Admin.
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HI jim,
Man, sounds like you did have a rough time. I am so glad you got another kidney. God Bless that solider!!!!! If only more people would do teh same we wouldn't have a shortage. I myself am a total donor take what ya want cause I will be heaven bound!
Lori/Indiana
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:welcomesign;
Love them 6 antigen matches, I got one too.. cheers! :wine;
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Welcome Jim ...Boxman
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:welcomesign;
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THANKS ALL FOR THE OFFICIAL WELCOME! ;D
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Wow! What an awsome intro! I am so glad you got a perfect match! Our soldiers are all heroes.... but your solder who came back to donate his organs.... wow.... just wow!
Oh... and welcome :) :welcomesign;
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:welcomesign; - Great intro. You have been through a lot. God bless that soldier and his family!!! :usaflag;
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Welcome to the site. Great introduction.
kitkatz,moderator
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Welcome Jim, good to have you aboard.
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Welcome...that's an amazing journey...thanks for sharing it with us!
:welcomesign;
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:welcomesign;
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Better late than never Jim,
Welcome to IHD. I hope my son doesn't get kidney disease because like you he wants to be a marine. That is his passion for now, my son is a member here also his name is Patton.
I'm glad you decided to introduce yourself and I hope we can exceed your expectations and needs by being here for you. Feel free to post all you want.
Sluff/ Admin
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Hello and :welcomesign;
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:welcomesign;
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Welcome!
Beth
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:welcomesign;
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:welcomesign;
It's sounds like you went through hell. Glad you found IHD.
willieandwinnie
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Welcome Jim. :waving;
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:welcomesign; Chris! Are you from the Baltimore area? I'm guessing because of Johns Hopkins. I grew up in the Baltimore area (spent 26 years of my life there) and have been a guest of JH myself! My husband and I just moved to Ohio from there less than 3 years ago! I miss it so! I'm glad things are going better for you! :beer1;
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:welcomesign;
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yep i'm from balmer hun.
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Please forgive me - I only just realized that I hadn't welcomed you to our community as yet! WELCOME TO OUR COMMUNITY! We are glad that you joined us. I know that you must like us since you had some time checking us out. So welcome to the IHD family. Please take advantage of all the site has to offer, and KEEP POSTING! :grouphug;
Bajanne, Moderator