Hello!!!!

[steph1984]

Hello everyone!

I'm Stephanie, I'm 26 and live in beautiful Ocean City, MD. I am a freak of nature and was born with ADPKD. I did pretty good until 2005 when I started having some minor problems, but it wasn't really a big deal. In spring of 2009 my kidneys took a rapid crap. At that time I was hooked up with the transplant team at Christiana Hospital in Newark, DE and they are AWESOME. I was told by every doctor I saw that I would be on dialysis before I knew it, but I told them otherwise. I stayed positive, took care of myself and the most I ever got was tired, even though my GFR was around 8. I definitely prooved everyone wrong.

My INCREDIBLE husband was a match and in August of 2010 we had the transplant. I worked up until a few days before the surgery, we were both out of the hospital in 4 days, back to work in 8 weeks, and here we are coming up on the 1 year anniversay on August 10th. Time sure does fly.

I have seen much of my family deal with kidney disease, dialysis, transplants, and everything in between. The difference between my family and myself is that I am not a Debbie Downer and have never let this consume me. So many people let things like this bring them down and it is so sad. I was delt this hand and even though it sucks sometimes and really throws a wrench in the spokes of my life I am going with the flow. I am choosing to live the life I have and not just breathe and go through the motions. Life is too short...crappy health or not!

I like chatting with people who have had similar experiences as me and I'm hoping to connect with people around my age.

Hope you are all doing well! 

[cattlekid]

Hello Stephanie and welcome!

I'm a few years older than you (I'm 40) but I appreciate your attitude.     I also totally know your neck of the woods as I am a proud Blue Hen, graduated from the University of Delaware in 1992.   

So glad to hear that you are doing well after transplant.  I've been on dialysis since late January of this year and my mom is currently in the midst of testing to be my living donor. 

This is a great group of people and we look forward to getting to know you better.

[steph1984]

Go Blue Hens!!! I've lived right down the street from UD's College of Ocean, Earth and Environment in Lewes until just a few months ago. Plus I am a HUGE Baltimore Ravens and Joe Flacco fan...and he is a UD guy 

[lou]

Hey Stephanie great to meet you  :waving

Sounds like you have a great attitude to life I am trying to have the feel the same about life too! I am 30 and had my transplant last year. So far (fingers crossed it continues!) things are going fantastically. I only found out I had kidney problems at 25 and managed to stay off dialysis for nearly 4 years despite the docs telling me I had 18 months max. I spent 6 months on dialysis and then was incredibly lucky to get the call. (my family and boyf were tested but not a match).

My boyfriend and my favourite thing is the world is traveling and seeing new places and we are determined not to let anything stop us doing this and have tried to stay positive through the horrible times. Anyway next week we are off on a road trip round France which I am sooooooo excited about!

I know we are incredible lucky that we have been able to have transplants and i agree life is now too short to waste any time not making the most of it!

Great to meet you and massive hi again 

Lou x x x

By the way I live in Exeter in the UK!

[Rerun]

Hello Steph and welcome to IHD.  I'm so glad you found us!  You have a good attitude, but if you ever need to vent you come sit by me. 

I think you will enjoy this site.  Lots to learn and think about.

Rerun, Moderator        

[Poppylicious]

  Stephanie!  Fabulous attitude and fabulous husband!

 

By the way I live in Exeter in the UK!

Lou, are you actually from Exeter?  One of my best friends at uni was Exeter born and bred and her accent used to make me giggle.  I have a thing for accents because I don't actually have one, being from the non-accent part of East Anglia ...

 

[looneytunes]

Hi Stephanie and 

[lou]

Hey Poppy, no not really from exeter but lived here for couple of years now - you gotta love the west country accent tho!

I was born and grew up in Surrey, then lived in Brighton for my 20s and now here. I love accents too and also feel a bit rubbish as dont think i have one either! I guess we still must have an accent to some people tho!

Do you ever come down this part of the country? be wicked to meet up one day! x x 

[willowtreewren]

Hi, Stephanie!

 

You have a great attitude and that is certainly a boon.

Visit often!

Aleta

PS. I grew up on the Eastern Shore and went to OC every summer. I miss the ocean now that I am living in Tennessee.

[Ang]

 


 great positive attitude

[peleroja]

Congratulations on your transplant and anniversary.  I love success stories.  Glad you found us!

[Brightsky69]

   Stephanie,

I am slightly older than you..42 years old.    I had my transplant in Oct. 2010 and yes time does fly.  That is wonderful that your husband was your donor....you married an earth bound angel. 
I am right down the street from you. I live in Virginia Beach.