totosidney: new here! not new to dialysis.

[totosidney]

  I'm age 59, male, married, 1 grown child. I have an online business that is fairly new (2 ½ years) and I am making a living. I was diagnosed with kidney disease at my pre-induction physical after being drafted into the armed forces in 1970. I started peritoneal dialysis is 1994, kidney transplant in 1995, lymphoma (caused by a virus in the cadaver kidney) in 1996 forced me off cyclosporine and I started hemodialysis in 1997. So let’s say I’ve been around the block ;-) Presently on NxStage 6 times a week at home. My wife assists.
Of special interest is exercise and fitness as relates to hemodialysis patients. I am a great admirer of Dr Patricia Painter’s work in this subject.
Thanks for welcoming me to your group. I look forward to sharing war stories. I hope that thereby I can both contribute and learn.
Sidney

[RichardMEL]

Welcome! You've definitely been around the block and I am sure can teach many of us from your vast experience both with your transplant and many years of dialysis! I look forward to seeing more from you!

RichardMEL, Moderator

[MooseMom]

Exercise and fitness is so important to dialysis patients for so many reasons.  I'm not on dialysis yet, but I am hoping that starting D won't deprive me of the energy to take a good walk!  I look forward to reading your posts in this regard.  Thank you so much for joining us!

[Bajanne]

Welcome to our community, Sidney!  You are certainly a renal veteran!  You are a great addition to our IHD family    I look forward to hearing much more from you.  Please let your wife know that she is welcome as well.  We have a very active and vocal group of caregivers and loved ones here.  IHD is the place for information, support, and even fun.  Please take advantage of all we have to offer.




Bajanne, Moderator

[Zach]

Good to have you here!
 

[Rerun]

Toto, welcome to IHD.  I look foreward to reading your posts.  Are you going for another kidney?

Lots to learn from each other.

Rerun, Moderator    

[peleroja]

Welcome to the group, Sidney.  Looks like you've been there, done that!  Glad you joined us.

[totosidney]

Toto, welcome to IHD.  I look foreward to reading your posts.  Are you going for another kidney?

Lots to learn from each other.

Rerun, Moderator    

Another transplant is a matter of debate between my transplant team and my oncologist. As long as I am doing well on dialysis I don't see the point of taking a considerable risk of lymphoma recurrence. The last few months however involved a considerable amount of pain in trying to establish a new access. The last attempt succeeded but there is no arm area left. This will be my final arm access. As the access is a graft and not a fistula, I estimate 5 or 6 years until the next big decision. I would be 64 or 65 and it would probably be my last chance at a transplant at age 68 or so.  At that time I would take the kidney if offered. I figure that I would need declining amounts of immunosuppressant at that age, so my chances of dodging cancer would be better.  The goal is to keep myself strong and make it to that next big decision. This sort of mental chess is quite important for long-term survival. I actually rather enjoy that aspect of kidney failure life.