Please allow me to introduce myself...

[pagandialysis]

...I'm a man of wealth and taste.

Sorry, I couldn't help myself. I'm a huge Rolling Stones fan.

Where to start? I live in Louisville Kentucky and I am currently going through end-stage renal failure. Whats killing me? A nifty little autoimmune disease called IgA Nephropathy. Long story short my white blood cells are attacking my kidneys. If you want to long story then feel free to ask.

Now I bet you're wondering whats up with the name right? Well, I'm a Pagan. Now I bet you want to know what a Pagan is huh? Man your full of questions.  Well to sum it up, because trust me I have made a small pamphlet explaining this before. Most, but not all, Pagans believe in a divine Feminine and Masculine that make up the universe. Which means I believe in a Mother Goddess and a Father God. If you want to know any more feel free to ask.

The only other thing you should know about me is that I run a small blog about being a Pagan on dialysis. I haven't really roughed out how going through renal failure and dialysis affect me in a religious sense but that's what I aim to find out. Also, even if you don't care much for the Pagan side of things I do list some nice dialysis friendly recipes and tips on my blog.

Well, that's me in a nutshell. I hope to get to know you all better as time goes by. I am so honored that I was permitted to join this community. I have found that it is very difficult to find a good dialysis forum and its even harder for me to be accepted into it because of my religious views. Again, from the bottom of my heart, thank you.

[MooseMom]

You are welcome here no matter your religion or lack thereof.  I may be wrong, but I suspect that no matter what your religious beliefs are, surely ESRD makes you question whoever/whatever you worship.  I know that I'm still waiting for God to tell me why he gave me fsgs.  If you get an answer for yourself, I dearly hope you will share it with us!

For how long have you been on dialysis?  Which modality have you chosen for yourself?

If there is any way we can help you out while you endure this life-changing illness, please feel free to ask.

[Rerun]

Welcome to IHD.  I'm a Born Again Christian, so if you have any questions I'd be more than happy to talk to you about the Love of Jesus.

      I love Pegans to join!      But, we do have dialysis in common.  I do Nocturnal in center.  I dialyze 3 nights a week for 8 hours each night.  It works for me as long as my access behaves.  I've also done PD. Transplant. Home Hemo. and In Center days.

I think you will enjoy this site. Questions of all kinds are answered.  AND if we don't know we make something up!  (JK)

Rerun, Moderator     

[Ang]

 

[gothiclovemonkey]

  I immediately began singing that song as soon as I saw the post in Unread!

Welcome and MM

loved reading this!
BB

[kristina]

Hello, pagandialysis and 

Do I detect “the green man” in your signature ?
I have been wondering about this symbol
when I have noticed it in decorative-ironwork-entrances.

There seem to be several explanations for this sign
And I wonder whether it is a sign for good luck?

Welcome to IHD and kind regards from Kristina.

[looneytunes]

Hello Pagandialysis and welcome to IHD.  I hope you will find lots of info here as well as support and friendship.   

[Poppylicious]

  pagandialysis.  Lovely to 'meet' you!

 

[cariad]

Hiya, pagan!

Great intro! Quite an enjoyable read, and we can always use another member with a sense of humor!

Were you really chased off other forums for your religious views? That's horrifying.

I used to work with a woman who was Wiccan and it seems that in her little crowd, they were all trying to learn a celtic language, specifically Welsh. This was really fun for me because one I love languages, and two I happen to hear Welsh on a daily basis (usually shouted at my children) as that is my husband's home country and native tongue.

I look forward to getting to know you better!

[monrein]

  to IHD, a place I wish no one needed but which is great since we do.

[cattlekid]

Welcome!  I'm a fellow IgA'er as well.  Everything was on a slow simmer for me until this past December when all hell broke loose and my creatnine shot from 1.2ish to over 9.  Dialysis started on January 25th. 

Interesting that you are a pagan.  My husband is researching deism himself.  He was raised in a Christian religion but has found that it no longer suits him. 

Hope to see you around quite a bit!   

[lmunchkin]

Welcome aboard, PaganD. I Believe in Christ Jesus as my Lord and Savior of my soul, and love people of other believes too!
You are going to fit in well here!  Let us know how we may help! Look forward to your posts!

lmunchkin       

[boswife]

Welcome and what an interesting and fun intro    I think its nice that you are open about your beliefs    Im a God loving, and Jesus thankful person myself, incase you care to know     My hubby is the one on D, and we do nxStage at home.. I hope you feel comfortable and welcome here.  Lots to share with us, and lots to learn     

[Annig83]

     Love the intro!  Glad to have a fellow dialysis member that isn't afraid to talk about his beliefs!  I am an Atheist, but have studied other religions and feel that everyone can and should believe in whatever or whomever they want to.  Welcome!

[Ken Shelmerdine]

 

[willowtreewren]

Welcome, Pagan!

 

I'm sorry you need to be here among us, but glad you found your way here.

Aleta

(atheist)

[jbeany]

 

We actually do really well on here discussing religion and politics between members of different beliefs.  I think it's wonderful to add yet another side of the many possible coins to the mix.  Of course, the ESRD information we share is invaluable as well!  Jump in any where and add your thoughts to the discussion.

jbeany, Moderator

[Bajanne]

Welcome to our community!  Very interesting intro!!  I am another believer that Jesus Christ is Lord of all, but as the others said, I respect your right to your beliefs.  I also admire your candour.  You have found an excellent place for information, support, encouragement.  Feel free to rant, rage, rave or vent here. The only restriction is that there should be no extreme vulgarity or personal attacks.   You have found yourself a new family here    Just keep reading and keep posting.





Bajanne, Moderator

[HouseOfDialysis]

Welcome, pagan!

[Willis]

I am a Christ-follower (I sometimes flinch at the word "Christian" because it raises so many bad connotations), but I'm also a "citizen" of Nova Roma which is an organization of hobbyists "reviving" the ancient Roman culture and religion. Needless to say, most Nova Romans are pagans too--though perhaps a different variety than yourself since they are oriented toward the "Religio Romana" or religion and beliefs of the ancient Romans of pre-Christianity.

Now if I can get along with THEM, I can get along with anybody! 

We have IgAN in common. I had it at least 40 years before my kidneys failed and I'm now on PD. Now I could be wrong, but a minor correction about IgA Nephropathy. It isn't that the IgA antibodies attack the kidneys directly; rather, they are "protein-hunters" designed to attack protein and break it down in the digestive track. How those antibodies got in our blood is still a mystery I think. But the effect is that these antibodies find stray protein cells in the blood, attack them and form larger complex molecules that then either cause scarring of the renal vasculature (especially the glomerulii) as they pass through, or worse they get "stuck" and start to clog up the kidney like a dirty furnace filter. That isn't the most scientific description perhaps but that's how my neph explained it to me! Pre-D the best thing to do is try and keep one's blood pressure low since this puts the kidney's blood vessels under less stress and may slow done the progression of the disease.

I'm glad you found IHD as this is a place where whatever your religion, national, or cultural background we all have one thing in common: WE HATE DIALYSIS! 


 

[pureserenity]

Hi Pagan
I also have IgA and am a newbie here. looking forward to getting to know everyone
xxxx