Introductions..

[Kitty Cat]

Well, I'm not the patient, my husband is. He was diagnosed about 6 years ago with kidney problems, nobody knew what was going on. One specialist found blood in his urine and thought it irregular and let it go. He finally ended up with the Nephrologist he has now and was told that he had a couple of years until we even considered dialysis. 6 Months later, he was in the emergency room while they started him with the neck catheter. He has MPG which means that for some reason (hereditary in his case) that his immune system turned on itself and destroyed his kidneys. They started him on peritoneal. Because he's such a big guy, built at that time like a football player, he worked in a sheet metal factory until a couple of years ago, the peritoneal didn't work and the toxins almost killed him. He then went onto hemo, which is just as hard on him until we got the magic phone call on May 14, 2005. They had a kidney for him. After all the trials, it looked like it was almost over. Unfortunately there were many problems and the kidney finally failed and as of July 2006, he's back on hemo.

He's such an awesome guy, it's hard to see all the changes in him, he's got problems with his spine and so much arthritis in his spine that his spine is fusing itself. He's shrunk a good 4-5 inches in the past 18 months and he's aged. It's been a very long bumpy road, but we're in it together. My biggest worry is our daughter, she's 22 now but demanded to be tested for a transplant. She matches him so closely that I'm terrified that someday this may happen to her. We turned her down on the transplant because of that worry and she's starting her life out, we can't ask that of her. But I try not to dwell on it.

I love what I've seen in this site, I've been lurking since sometime yesterday and some things I've read have been extremely helpful. Maybe sometime I'll be able to contribute something to help somebody. I especially love the vent pages!!     That will truly come in handy at a point.

Thank you for this site.

[angela515]

 

[Joe Paul]

Welcome Kitty Cat, good to have you aboard.

[paris]

Hi Kitty Cat, you are not "asking" your daughter. She wants to do this so her Dad will be there at her wedding and to see his grandchildren!  Kidney disease is hard on the whole family. 

[Kitty Cat]

Thank you all for the warm welcomes, I really do appreciate it.

Paris, you are right and what you've said is exactly what she has said. Our worries are that there are too many "maybes". Especially if this is hereditary as we're now being told. We want her to have a long and happy life, as well as my husband, he's only 47 and has a lifetime of living to go too. We appreciate what she's done and what she wants to do, but even transplant was hesitant on letting her do this. I told her about this site so I wouldn't be surprised if at some point she logs in too.

[Sluff]

Welcome to IHD.com

[payats]

welcome kitty cat 

[goofynina]

Hi KittyCat and Welcome to our AWESOME website/support group.   Hope you enjoy your stay and look forward to hearing more from you.  Good luck to you, your hubby and your daughter, you sound like a great group of people. 

[boxman55]

I can not figure out how to post my introduction------Boxman55

[Bajanne]

I can not figure out how to post my introduction------Boxman55

I notice that you did find out how to post it.

[Bajanne]

Kittycat, a big welcome to you!  I am always very touched and appreciative when the person who posts here is a family member or loved one of the renal patient.  To me, it is a sure sign of love and concern.  We have quite a number of persons who are here on behalf of their loved one, and who have become indispensable parts of our community.  We even have a section particularly dedicated to that group of persons.
As you would have seen already, there is much to read here (over 23,000 posts), but maybe your particular question has not been answered. Feel free to post.  And when you want to vent, this is just the place!!!
Looking forward to hearing some more from you, and hopefully from your daughter as well.
Here is a hug from all of us.

[Zach]

Welcome to the community!       

[Black]

 

[Fighter]

Welcome Kitty Cat!  Although these are tough times for your family I think all three of you are showing real courage. Transplant decisions are very difficult, you should not feel rushed, it will always be a possibility now that your daughter has been proven to be a good match. Each person involved should take time to think about it and eventually the right decision will become clear. No more dwelling!

[anja]

  kitty cat !

[DeLana]

Welcome, you have found a wonderful community.

DeLana   

[angieskidney]