Hey everyone, new member from San Diego

[keefer51]

 

[BigSteve]

Greetings from another Southern Californian(Long Beach). I know that you
can see that there are a lot of us in similar circumstances. I mean those
in dialysis and those of us still in pre-dialysis. Sometimes it does get a
bit depressing wondering about dialysis, but I have really found my
fellow members to be both knowledgeable and wonderfully supportive.

[Lori1851]

  Hi Jack,
My son is 22 and has a kidney disease FSGS he started on dialysis in Feb of this year. A kidney biospy would definetly tell what is going on. My son is on disability right now. ANd he has a beautiful gf too! I am sure she will be there to support you.

Feel free to write anytime. There are wonderful caring people on this site that can give you a world of info and encouragement!

Lori/Indiana mom to Dustin 22 FSGS/ dialysis

[angellady07]

Welcome Jack, from a native San Diegan.

[Lulu]

Welcome. I have had kidney disease since I was 2, I am 37 now and will be starting dialysis this year. I have managed to arm myself with knowledge and it has helped tremendously. I do still go through periods of incredible sadness and dispair. I completely understand your feelings. They are totally normal. When your girlfriend gets back spend some time together researching it on the intenet and of course she can always sign up with IHD and walk the road with you. Here is a good link with printable book on all the basics of kidney diesease and it's stages. I hope this info is useful for you and your family. Write often. You're in good hands with IHD.

http://www.aakp.org/library/attachments/ckdbook.pdf

[MyssAnne]

Welcome, Jack. I'm glad you found us, as you've found out, there is a wealth of information on this site. Not only that, there are wonderful people here as well. You can rant if you want to, you can ask questions if you wish, or you can be silly, however you feel. We encourage honesty because, if you can't trust fellow sufferers, who can you trust? WE know what it's like.  We are strong, but we went through the same emotions and feelings you are going through. Heck, a lot of of still are. I know I am.  I still get mad at my situation. I still get depressed. I allow those feelings to happen, get on here, either vent it, or read a silly post, or a thought provoking post, and I feel better, because I am NOT alone.

[paddbear0000]