Hello everyone...long time

[Lucinda]

I have popped in after too many years to say hello. 

My life here in Australia is crazy busy with a huge job and after almost 10 years on dialysis now, I am disgustingly healthy.  Very lucky! 

I have started to catch up on everyone's news and was devastated to read that Zach has passed away.  We kept in contact by email for years but he went quiet about the time he decided to go on the transplant list.  I know he was having a couple of longterm issues with dialysis but I didn't think they were so grave.  So sad.

Anyhow, before I continue to catch up, I wanted to say RIP Zach.  You were a rock when I first started dialysis and I should have persevered to keep in contact when you dropped off the radar.  I just thought you were busy working on your documentaries. 

To everyone else...stay well and love to you all.  Cindy. xxx

[Rerun]

Hi Lucinda,  Welcome back.  Yes, it is a big loss to no have Zach around here serving us virtual drinks.   We miss him dearly.

Glad you are doing well.  Keep in touch.

 

[cassandra]

Always nice to 'see you' Cindy, and glad your temporary absence was because you were so disgustingly healthy

 Welcome back, Cas

[Charlie B53]

Disgustingly Healthy.

I Pray more of our members to have this 'problem'.

Welcome back Cindy.  I am still relatively 'new' here but I try to fit in.  You will find I have a very warped sense of humor.  I think it helps keep me from going crazy(er).

Take Care,

Charlie B53

[kitkatz]

It is good to be disgustingly healthy!  Good to hear from you again!

[Lucinda]

Sorry...saying you are 'disgustingly healthy' is probably more Aussie slang.

I am really well though in comparison to when I first started dialysis.  There was a time when I thought I would never cope with it and now it is just part and parcel of everyday.  Still knocks me for six though when the strong fighters like Zach don't make it.  Did he ever get his transplant?

Over here if you do not go on the list when you start dialysis and you change your mind about having a transplant you automatically are placed higher on the list relevant to the time you have been on dialysis.  That surely would have put Zach at the top of the list.  He was on dialysis a very long time.

I found the biggest change for me was going on a gluten free diet.  I am not saying that is for everybody but it has been brilliant for me.  Not as tired, a lot more active and generally feel much healthier.  I was nauseated most of the time, always throwing up and generally unwell.  I have not thrown up once since I went gluten free two years ago  That could be totally unrelated to kidney disease, who knows, but an instant fix for  all my ills that I blamed on dialysis.

I will try and pop in more often.  All stay well please. 

[kristina]

Dear Lucinda,
many thanks again for letting us know how you are doing.
I am always interested to find out more about how to survive best during dialysis-treatment and it is interesting what you mention your gluten-free-diet.
I also eat gluten-free and I am also strictly vegetarian and it helps me a lot to have a little bit more energy and a bit more "zest"..
Many thanks again for your kind information, it is very much appreciated.
Good luck and and hope to see you more often and best wishes from Kristina.

[iolaire]

Did he ever get his transplant?
....
Over here if you do not go on the list when you start dialysis and you change your mind about having a transplant you automatically are placed higher on the list relevant to the time you have been on dialysis.  That surely would have put Zach at the top of the list.  He was on dialysis a very long time.

I don't know the answer to that.  But in late 2015 the US moved to the same system where you receive credit for time on dialysis even if you were not listed.  So someone like Zach would be at the very top of the list for a compatible kidney.  I'm putting compatible in bold because there still is the match factor so some people with long dialysis time still might be difficult to match and have a wait even after being listed.

[kickingandscreaming]

As i recall from his signature, Zach wasn't on the list at the time of his death.  Was thinking about it.