Hi from Europe!

[aisling]

Hi all,

Here's my attempt at introducing myself  I'm a 24-yo woman from the Netherlands. I was diagnosed with membrane proliferative glomerulonephritis type I when I was 7. Although at first my kidney function was rather stable (but very slowly declining), it's falling a bit quicker these days - but of course, you can't predict anything!

Currently my eGFR is 36, I'm a bit anemic and seem to be developing secondary hyperparathyroidism. Because my iron storages are ok, I'm not currently on anything for the anemia, and because my calcium is a wee bit low and my PTH isn't high enough (yet), I'm also not on anything for the hyperparathyroidism.

Current medications include enalapril (ACE inhibitor) and hydrochlorthiazide for blood pressure, Calci-Chew with added Vit D, and Pantoprazole for (unrelated) stomach problems. Then there's a bunch of stuff for eczema and eyedrops and gel for other (unrelated) problems.

I'm a PhD student in Humanities/Social Sciences at Trinity College in Dublin, but am currently living in the Netherlands because of some scholarship issues - so I am flying to Ireland for supervisions every few months, and I have the most amazing supervisor who is very supportive, also where my health is concerned, so I consider myself extremely lucky!

I've been reading a few of the discussions on the board and it seems the community here very honest, so I'm happy I'm able to joi in!

Best wishes from the Netherlands!
 

[Poppylicious]

  Aisling. 

 

[paris]

Welcome!  Glad you have joined us.  There is lots of information, but even more support from members who truly understand what you are going through. It is a safe place to cry, rant, share joys, share fears, because we are all in the same boat.  I'll be looking for more of your posts.  Welcome to IHD   




paris, Moderator

[aharris2]

Hi aisling and welcome to the neighborhood.

We are indeed quite open and honest, all traveling the same road each in our own manner and willing to share and lend a hand. Glad you are joining us - I like the texture added by a worldwide membership.

I am looking forward to your posts and I know you will find the site informative and enjoyable.

Regards!

[Rerun]

Hello Aisling  and welcome to IHD.  I would love to see Ireland someday.  It is so pretty there.  I know you can't predict anything, but 36% function is quit a bit.  I hope it stays there.  They usually start looking at dialysis at 10 - 8 %.  Depending on how you feel.

So my advice is to LIVE IT UP NOW~   

So glad you found us.   

Rerun, Moderator     

[peleroja]

Welcome to the group, aisling.  Lots of good information and friends here.  Glad you found us!

[billybags]

 

[carla13]

 

carla
x

[galvo]

G'day, Aisling, and . 

[Bajanne]

Welcome to our community, Aisling!  I want to reiterate the advice given you by Rerun.  Live it up now!  Dialysis can be a very circumscribing experience.  If I had known that dialysis was on my horizon, I would have visited my friend in Atlanta, Georgia, whom I had been promising for so long!  Now my travels are restricted to weekends.  Take care of your diet (according to your physician's advice) and try to keep dialysis off as long as you can.
What is the subject area of your doctoral thesis?  Do you speak Dutch?




Bajanne, Moderator

[aisling]

Thanks for the warm welcome!

Yes, I still have quite a lot of kidney function, although I find that the loss of kidney function definitely adds some sense of urgency to the way in which I approach things!

Bajanne, yes, I speak Dutch, but it's in fact my second language, and English is my third! My focus is on gender and war, although I have a quite theoretical approach!