Young Like Me?

[sammiejo23]

Hi Sam! It is always heartbreaking for me to read of a young person on dialysis, and there are many here. You have a remarkable attitude and a lovely energy about you that shines through in your posts. (Are you sure you're only 19? I'll need to see a Live Certificate of Birth, please, and it better be the long form.... )

I think it's completely understandable that you want to especially focus on people your own age. There are certainly different battles for each age group, and while I can sympathize with your life being derailed just as it was getting started, I can only empathize and trade strategies with people concerned about the effect of kidney failure on their young children and career. One of my favorite stories is from a childrens book entitled Zen Shorts. I am sure you've heard the story, it is just another interpretation of an ancient tale, but it seems to align with your attitude. I'll go find it and see if I can summarize it here.

I suspect you will power through this challenge with grace and humor. We're all behind you.

cariad, haha, yes I'm certain I'm only 19! But I've always been a lot older than my age, which sometimes isn't a bad thing. (It's helping me get through D and it's struggles much easier, so in a way, I'm quite grateful for it)! It also helps to have such INCREDIBLE support from all of you! I honestly wasn't expecting this when I started posting here, but I am glad to know I have so many people here for me. I just read the story and I appreciate you posting it, I had actually never heard it before! But it was lovely indeed. And it greatly relates!

[sammiejo23]

I strongly feel over time that you find that once you start interacting with all the members here, age is only going to be a small part of it.( at least when you are here) The big plus is that you will learn an incredible amount from everyone older than you and that wisdom is going to make you something special. It really will.  As you start getting older in general you find that were all pretty much the same. No matter what you're age you are always 18 in spirt. I'm 46 and fell 18 still though I probably act like 10 lol. Use your knowledge to make your life ahead of you be the best it can be. You may be on dialysis but there is still LOTS of living for you!

texasstyle, you are so very right! I'm starting to realize that more and more. What I initially was looking for was people my age to talk to about all of this...but honestly, as I'm starting to become more a part of this wonderful community, I realize that I just wanted anybody to talk to! Age is indeed only a small part of it and I'm glad that I've realized that, because there is a lot for me to learn from all walks of life on here. Each person has a story and that story has an impact, despite being 18, 30, 46 or 90! I always need to be reminded of the spirit thing! I had a friend tell me something very similar once and it's really very true, it just always seems to slip my mind, haha. Maybe I need to write it in ink on my forehead?  I'll do my best to remember it from now on though, and I'll take your advice, because it is very inspiring.

[texasstyle]

I wish I could have learned some of the things you'll be learning about "life" from the other members here at your age. I took a wrong turn as a young adult but quickly got back on the RIGHT track!

[sammiejo23]

I wish I could have learned some of the things you'll be learning about "life" from the other members here at your age. I took a wrong turn as a young adult but quickly got back on the RIGHT track!

Hey, what matters is that you got it figured out.

[RichardMEL]

Wait TS... you mean you're not 18?!!!!! I could have sworn you were!!!!! 

[texasstyle]

17 Richard. Ssshhh.... lol

[RichardMEL]

17 Richard. Ssshhh.... lol

but but... I could get thrown into jail for that!!!!

 

[chook]

Hello to Sammie from another oldie.
Cariad, love the tale. I read something years ago about the birth of a new baby and it was likened to planning a holiday in say, Canada. But when the couple got off the plane (had the baby) they found they hadn't landed in Canada but were in say, Australia, instead. I take that to mean that life is a journey and often not what we expect or hope for. Sometimes the turns our lives take, while they may not seem where we would really have chosen to go, take us to places that give us new experiences that enrich us just the same. I think about this often.

[Riki]

Hey Sammiejo.. I haven't been around that much, kinda took a 2 month break.. *L*

I'm about 13 years older than you, but I get a lot of the same stuff from people who really don't know.  I've gotten the "you're too young to be that sick," but I shut them up quickly with "I've been doing this stuff since I was 12."

if kids didn't get these illnesses, there would be no such thing as children's hospitals... *G*

I don't think I've ever thought much of the ages of people.  You seem older than your age, which will really help you as you go on.  Most of my friends are older than me, and we got along great.  My best friend is the same age as my mom, but I'm not sure which of us is older mentally.. *L*

This site has a great bunch of people with a wide range of knowledge.  I've learned so much from them, especially about hemo, because before 2 years ago, I was always on PD and knew nothing about hemo except that your blood was run through a filter of some sort.. *L*  It's definitely helped to get used to the hemo, to have the people here who I could ask questions, and get knowledgeable answers, most of the time, better answers than I'd get from my doctors.