I'm Jenn

Hi, my name is Jenn and I am new here and to message boards in general. I've been reading this site for a little while on and off. My wonderful husband has encouraged me to finally join and take part.

Here's a brief overview of my history.

I lost my natural kidneys when I was 12 in 1994 to hydronephrosis or reflux. They were removed and I was put on peritoneal dialysis (on the big old Baxter machine) while my mom was tested to give me one of her kidneys. She was a good match and we did the surgery about 8 months later 3 days before my 13th birthday. That transplant lasted me for 2 years, 2 months, 2 days. I lost it due to a blood clot/trauma. I was being stupid and don't want to get into that just now. It was removed.
I had to get special permission in 1996 to do in-center hemo as a pediatric patient while I waited for my peritoneum to heal after the cathater placement. Once it did I got the newer little machine for PD and dialyzed myself every night. In 1997, I was called and received another transplant, this time from a cadaver.
In 1999, a few months after my high school graduation, that transplant rejected and was removed. I was placed on HD and opted not to try peritoneal again because the last time was hard on me. (Often cramped with the lowest solution, wasn't always draining all the fluid I put in, etc. - tho i never got peritonitis) I had an AV fistula placed and once it matured, I was able to use it for 4 years while I waited for another transplant.
I met my husband in Jan. 2004 and in Feb. 2004, I was called and received another cadaver kidney that was a perfect match. He drove me to the hospital and came to visit me every day and thats when I knew I was gonna marry him.

My transplant lasted me just over 3 years (long enough to allow medicare to drop me and make things difficult) and it rejected earlier this year (2007). There were signs of acute tubular necrosis and rejection in the biopsy, I got massive doses of steroids and when that didn't work, OKT3 which gave me aseptic meningitis on top of everything else.
After about 3 months on HD in center I trained with my husband on the NxStage with my perma cath while waiting for my new AV fistula to mature. Unlike other people on NxStage I didn't start feeling better after a week besides not feeling the ups and downs I had with the weight gain on traditional. They ran some extra blood tests and everything looked good so no one worried. Then my numbers started getting all wonky and I started randomly throwing up. Turned out I was about 10 weeks pregnant. I apparently conceived about 3 or 4 weeks before starting the training for HHD.

and

all at the same time. My perscription was immediately doubled and now I dialyze 7 days a week, 3 hrs a day to keep my fluid balance as stable as possible. We are having a baby girl and she is doing fine so far.

Now that I am in the second trimester (20 weeks) I am feeling better and my numbers are close to perfect. I can eat whatever I want which is hard to remember sometimes. I did have to have 4 units of blood about 2 months ago, but anemia is the only issue I've had (knock on wood). My EPO dose is astronomical but is finally starting to help. I'm still using my cathater because of issues with the fistula and probably will continue to use it until after the baby comes.

That's my story so far. Sorry it was so long. Thanks for reading!

Jenn