Hey from the great white north

[CalamityEC]

Wow.  There are a lot of little emoticon options.

I'm 29.  My first name is Maggie, but I went by a nickname my friends call me.  You can find me north of Toronto, though I've lived in various locations throughout the US and Canada.

I had a brief period in my life where kidney health wasn't an issue.  I don't remember it.  I had bilateral Wilms' tumours, which were discovered when I was 6 months.  So, in brief bullet point forms:

6 months-2 years: biopsies, chemotherapy, and eventual removal of both kidneys (cuz, I got to be that lucky 10% of children who develop this cancer in both kidneys).
2 years-3 years: live chemo free on peritoneal dialysis for a year before a transplant would be considered.  I am one lucky girl, though, because both of my parents were perfect matches (I'm an only child), so my dad donated one.
5 years: I got to experience Pyeloplasty.  This is the first medical issue I can kind of remember.  I'm pretty okay with this.
I was pretty healthy for the next 15 years.  The usual kid sicknesses, sometimes amplified from being immunosupressed.

But like anyone on drugs for long periods of time, the side effects got to me.  I'm in my late 20's and already have osteoporosis, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure.  But, I was in high school and then college, so what?

Welcome to my senior year of college.  I withdrew my final semester and took a year off because I couldn't walk.  My hip was locked so badly. Turns out with all my other issues nobody noticed that my hips hadn't developed properly and had developed osteo-arthritis.  I got a total hip replacement. I finished college a year late, got through my Masters' and had my other hip replaced.

During this time my transplant was slowly degrading.  And then spring 2012, I had a major emergency with my small intestine.  It wrapped up on itself (worse pain I've ever experienced).  It didn't uncoil and parts of it ended up dying.  (They think it caught on the scar tissue in my abdomen).  I now have short gut.  Because of all of this, my kidney function decreased substantially.  Thankfully, it's still at 11% for now.  I'm doing work up for a new transplant, but am waiting for a graft so I can get hemo dialysis.  I no longer can get peritoneal with how scarred my abdomen is.

I am tired most of the time, though, and it's hard for most people (outside of my parents) to understand.  I just wanted a community where, if I"m having a bad day, or a bad experience, there will be others who can relate...or at least comprehend.

[iketchum]

Hello. Most everyone on here can relate to what you are going through. Vent all you want and know we hear and understand. Sounds like you may be of help to many other new people here as well. Welcome to the site.

[UkrainianTracksuit]

Hey neighbour!   

We have a lot in common, you know!  I'm also 29, living in Toronto and I'm at 10 % function (at the moment).  Great to have you here and look forward to hearing more of your story!

[monrein]

Welcome to IHD.  I also live in Toronto and have been very lucky with this illness.   This site is great for support and understanding...I'm glad you found us.

[goofball]

Hi from Montreal!

[Rerun]

Welcome to IHD.  You have been through a lot.  This is the site to be at.  Lots of understanding here.  Hope you come here often and hang out.

Rerun, Moderator    

[CalamityEC]

Thanks for the welcome, guys 

[Poppylicious]

  Maggie!

[RichardMEL]

I sense a Toronto Meet in the works....

Welcome Maggie!! You have TOTALLY found the right place for you. This is a community of people who have mostly been there in one way or another and can relate to most things in a way that others who have not been so lovingly touched by kidney issues just can't "get" - this is definitely the place to come to vent, share experiences, ask questions and help others.

Great to have you with us!

RichardMEL, Moderator

[obsidianom]

Hello from the northern US. I spent a lot of time in Canada teaching medical courses. I have been all over Ontario. You have a beautiful country. (I have been to all provinces except Saskatchewan).
I hope we can all help you here. Ask away any questions and for support as you need it with anything.
What is your masters in?

[Razman]

 Welcome aboard from another Toronto resident.  We should have a meeting in Canada someday and get to meet each other.  I am not on dialysis yet but it is getting closer.   I hope that you visit often .     

[CalamityEC]

So an update to my intro.  I mentioned a graft.  The OR never got booked.  One of the nephrologists decided I needed to start hemo right away.  So Tuesday morning I had surgery to get a perma catheter placed in my neck.  I have now undergone two dialysis treatments and have my third bright and early tomorrow morning.

I am looking forward to not feeling cruddy after dialysis and to my neck and chest hurting less.

[Shaks24]

Hope you feel better soon.

[Bambino_Bear]

Welcome Maggie!  This place and the wonderful people have been a great comfort to me.