Hello My Name Is :

[ctorrez]

Well I just got the bad news from the doctor three days ago, and here I am. A quick story to bring you all up to date.

   When I was 18 I decided I wanted to serve my country, but when it came time to pass the physical I was told I may have kidney problems and I was not allowed in. Being young and feeling like life was a long term thing I failed to get checked out. Fast fw to 2007 When I was trying to join the union for a job and was once again reminded of my "problem" Long story short on that story, I was denied the job even though they took dues from my check. I was told I could not be given medical clearance. In 2008 I had been working in sales long enough to get insurance so I took the steps to figure out what was going on.
The doctor did some tests and eventually a biopsy. I was told that I had chronic and acute kidney disease but that I would be fine until I was around 60 yrs old. So I kind of took it with a grain of salt. He prescribed predisone to me, but I didn't fully understand what I was taking. I hated the side effects and stopped taking it. Last I recall they where going to call to set up a follow up appointment, but I never received a call. 
   Fast forward to last week I notice blood in my urine. It last for a few days so I scheduled and appointment with a nephrologist. After taking blood and urine samples I was told that I am at stage 5 kidney failure and he estimated  I have 4 months till dialysis is needed.

Needless to say My world kind of went into a tail spin. I am trying to hang in there till some more tests come back, but my fiance is taking it bad. I guess I will have to hope for the best.
 

[cassandra]

Welcome to the site Chris. I hope you have a lot longer than 4 months till D, but glad to hear they start sorting your fistula out.

                       


take care Cas

[Mr Pink]

Welcome. Simnilar to most of the rest of us, life has thrown you a curveball, which you obviously need to deal with. Just remember that dialysis isn't the end of the world. The downhill run kind of sucks, but once the big D starts, you'll be feeling a lot better. Good luck.

[Ricksters]

Welcome to the group, Chris! I agree, it is a shock to the system to find out you have ckd/esrd and need dialysis!  I hope that you end up with longer than 4 monthsto get used to the idea.  I've been on dialysis a little over a year....it is not the endof the world as I thought it would be!

Ricki

[Poppylicious]