I'm back and I'm doing fine. Thanks okarol, paul.karen, rose1999, MandaMe1986, breezysummerday and willlieandwinnie for wondering about me and checking in on me! You have no idea how much that means to me. I'm just sorry I never saw the messages until today!
I had originally taken a break due to severe depression. I needed a break from all things dialysis related (except for dialysis obviously!), it was just getting to be too much. I was going through a rough period with my meds, but the doctor finally got them adjusted and I'm feeling much better. The thing that really helped, however, was getting involved with the National Kidney Foundation's Kidney Walk. The work involved has kept me very busy and I feel like I have a purpose, which I haven't felt since losing my vet assistant job 5 years ago. In April, a close family friend from back in Maryland, who was also on dialysis, passed away. When he died, I had woke up in the middle of the night, the night I found out, and had this brilliant idea to start a team for the walk in my town. I've never even walked in one before, let alone been a team leader. I've been so busy trying to fundraise, that I just haven't had time to really contribute to IHD the way I like, so I just haven't been on. I've been so busy with it in fact, the NKF Serving Ohio asked me to become a committee member for their Dayton branch. I'm thrilled!
I wanted to let the IHD admins know that I did receive my IHD button. I really appreciate the hand written note too! Ii apologize, but I do not remember who wrote it though. Ever since I started dialysis, little chunks of my memory seem to disappear. Honestly, it's a little scary. I did print out a stack of the IHD poster though and distributed it at dialysis. They also posted them around the clinic. Some of the nurses,, techs and my neph have all checked us out and think this is a spectacular site for patients. I have my button proudly displayed on my bag I take with me!
Again, I'm sorry for disappearing so abruptly again! If it happens again, it's because of severe depression. It's the same reason I disappeared last year too. I'm hoping the meds and my involvement with the NKF will prevent it from happening again. I love you guys too much!!