Introduction

Hello everyone.

My name is Annie, I am 28 years old and have long struggled with kidney disease.
I was diagnosed at 13 with having Nephrotic Syndrome, or GN. I had shown no signs or symptoms of anything being wrong, until I went to the allergist. He performed a routine BP check, in which it was 170/120. I was instantly referred to a nephrologist and was given the GN diagnosis, after a biopsy.
I had NEVER been sick. I never even had the chicken pox as a child.
Over the years I was stable with my routine checks, healthy eating, and exercise. About three years ago, my doctors noticed that my creatinine was rising in the low 2's, but they saw no cause for concern, and just adjusted my medications as necessary. I developed rheumatoid arthritis at age 23, ovarian cysts, and moderate depression. Doctors told me that I had a very low chance of getting pregnant, and should take precautions. Three years ago, I met my soulmate, Landyn and regardless that we were careful, I ended up pregnant with my son. My creatinine quickly rose to the high 3's throughout my 1st and 2nd trimester. I saw all of the best high risk doctors, and watch my BP and creatinine weekly, needless to say I was a pin cushion. At exactly seven months along, my BP soared and my creatinine hit 6.6. My doctors had to deliver my son via C-section, and he was only 1 lb 12 oz. He was in the NICU for 2 months. Additionally, I was in the hospital for a month, recovering and having a PD cath. put in, and dealing with 3 blood clots in my arm.
The best day of my life was bringing Carson, (my son) home from the hospital. He is now 13 pounds and growing like a weed.

I started doing dialysis back in March, but my first catheter failed to work. It was removed and I had a month off to heal. In April my catheter was placed back in on the opposite side. It worked for about a week, but I had fatty tissue that was "grabbing" the cath. and pinching it off. I had the most painful surgery ever, where the surgeon "tacked' up the tissue with stitches. It pulls every once and a while and it almost takes my breath away when it pulls, but it thankfully does work now. I use the CCPD machine (Liberty) and I have been feeling much better. I just started about 2 weeks ago, and it's all new obviously, but I am so relieved to be able to play with my son now. Before, I was so tired and rundown that I couldn't do anything. I am just thankful for everything I've been through, I think I am much stronger.