Getting to know each other

[Ken Shelmerdine]

First name: Ken
Location Stockport, Cheshire, England
Age: 59
YOUR RENAL STATUS: APKD On Baxter Cycler Dialysis 11 months.
What you do for a living: Senior Officer for a national examination board.
What you want to do for a living: Songwriter
Relationship status: Married 34 years
Siblings: none
Pets: None 2
Three bands you would consider to be your favourite: The Beatles, Thin Lizzie, Led Zeppellin
Places you have travelled overseas, if any: US, Canada, Greece, Spain, France, Canary Islands, Italy, Austria, Barbados, Jamaica, Grand Caymen, Cozumel.
Sport(s) you play, if any: Used to play football (Soccer) Tennis Ten Pin Bowling
Sports team(s) you support: Manchester City Football Club, English Premier League.
What you did name your first born child: Donna Louise
Worst injury you've had: Torn Ankle and foot ligaments.
Drink/Smoke?: Both
What time do you usually go to bed/wake up: Bed around 11 pm week nights so that the cycler finishes in time to get up and get to work. Later at weekends. Wake up intermittently through the night and get up about 7.45 am week days and any time between 9 and 10.30 weekends.
Favourite colour:  blue
Favourite food: Steak pudding chips and peas from my local chippie.
Favourite alcoholic drink: A good cask conditioned British Bitter Ale.
Why people like you: How the hell do I Know
What people dislike about you: How the hell do I Know 
Best achievement in life: Meeting Rita who became my wife.
Why you belong to this forum: To keep in tune with all the latest information about dialysis and it's many problems but also because I like the people on this site very much.

[donnia]

First name:  Donnia
Nickname (irl):   Nana
Location (be a bit specific):   Texas
Age:  34 (for one more week anyway!)
YOUR RENAL STATUS: born with one sucky kidney... finally is pooping out on me.  Officially got on "the list" July 9th.  No dialysis yet.  Hubby is getting tested to see if he is a match.... we should find out if he is a match August 8th.
What you do for a living:  Sign language interpreter... full time in the school system, I also do some freelance during the summer.
What you want to do for a living:  Deaf education teacher
Relationship status:  Married 7 wonderful years
Siblings: 1 brother
Pets: Cocker Spaniel, Siesta, - Boxer, Reno, - my kitty, Jasmine
Three bands you would consider to be your favourite: I like variety... George Strait, Justin Timberlake....hummm.. and...Jay - Z
Places you have travelled overseas, if any: shoot... I wish!
Sport(s) you play, if any: I'm with the mouse scrolling club
Sports team(s) you support: Dallas Cowboys!!!!!!!  Dallas Mavericks, San Antonio Spurs... did I say DALLAS COWBOYS!!!!
What you would/did name your first born child: can't have children of my own bearing cuz of my sucky kidney.... I have a step daughter.... Brianna Abigale.....she is my angel!
Worst injury you've had: When I was 13 I was in a car accident, we flipped the truck 4 times... I had 6 layers of stitches in my face, from hairline to nose.... 350 stitches.... I was lucky, the doctor on call was a plastic surgeon... he did a great job, no one even notices.
Drink/Smoke?: every once in a while/ smoked for 18 years... quit cold turkey (when I was told I needed a transplant) December 12, 2006
What time do you usually go to bed/wake up: 11pm/7am
Favourite colour:  Victory blue
Favourite food: tacos, nachos, enchiladas, chinese, cheeseburgers,... shoot it would be easier to tell you the foods I don't like
Favourite alcoholic drink: ehhh... no favorite
Why people like you:  I'm honest
What people dislike about you:   I'm honest.... sometimes too honest for some peoples taste... oh well...
Best achievement in life: teaching children
Why you belong to this forum:  To learn.... to know that I am not the only one going through this.... to validate my feelings....

Gotta say... I don't post real often, but I do come here alllll the time!  Knowing you guys are here makes me feel better.

[kimcanada]

First name:  Kim
Nickname (irl):   Kimmers or Shawbe
Location (be a bit specific):  Mulgrave, Nova Scotia
Age:  40
YOUR RENAL STATUS: I was diagnosed with kidney disease Dec 27/05, first dialysis January 13/07, I was told my sister Michelle is my match in June but we still don’t have a date.
What you do for a living:  My boyfriend and I own and operate a computer store. Computer Junction
What you want to do for a living:  Run some sort of outdoor hiking , bird watching ranch
Relationship status:  Together for 6 years
Siblings: 2 sisters
Pets: 0
Three bands you would consider to be your favorite: REM , Macy Gray , can’t think of another one
Places you have travelled overseas, if any:  0  I don’t fly
Sport(s) you play, if any:
Sports team(s) you support: Toronto Maple Leafs (stop lol’ing )
What you would/did name your first born child: Melissa Marie
Worst injury you've had: 5 stitches in my lag when I fell off my bike when I was 13
Drink/Smoke?: No/No I smoked for 25 years and quit Feb 20/06
What time do you usually go to bed/wake up: 11pm/6am
Favorite colour:  Light Green, dark green, green , green 
Favorite food: I love everything
Favorite alcoholic drink: beer
Why people like you:  I'm funny
What people dislike about you:    I'm distant
Best achievement in life: Being a great mom
Why you belong to this forum:  I am in this forum so that I don’t feel so alone with this disease

[emilyc]

First name: Emily
Nickname (irl): em, skinny mini
Location (be a bit specific): Minneapolis, Minnesota!
Age: 15
YOUR RENAL STATUS: fsgs, recently diagnosed. waiting for a bunch of tests to come back.
What you do for a living: i'm currently a student
What you want to do for a living: be a nephrologist 
Relationship status: in a relationship? not married. obviously. ahahah. that'd be a bit scary. going on 6 months!
Siblings: one. she's gorgeous.
Pets: two dogs and a horse
Three bands you would consider to be your favourite: india.arie, maroon 5, i actually listen to a lot of opera...so pavarotti?
Places you have travelled overseas, if any: none 
Sport(s) you play, if any: i ride horses competitively and sing and dance!
Sports team(s) you support: the green bay packers
What you would/did name your first born child: kellen, blake, or ava if it's a girl :0
Worst injury you've had: breaking my toes. so annoying. not very major though hahah.
Drink/Smoke?: NONOOOO
What time do you usually go to bed/wake up: 11:30/6
Favourite colour: turquoise or purple
Favourite food: i like seafood!
Favourite alcoholic drink: don't have one...yet
Why people like you: i'm happy shiny and bright?
What people dislike about you: i talk to much.
Best achievement in life: being a good student.
Why you belong to this forum: for support and to give support

[TynyOne]

First name: Tammy
Nickname:  TT, TynyOne, TamTam, Lil' Tammy
Location (be a bit specific): Huntsville, AL
Age:   37
YOUR RENAL STATUS:  Treatment Center
What you do for a living:  Administrative Assistant with the Federal Gov't
What you want to do for a living:  I think I would have liked being a counselor at a drug rehab. center
Relationship status: Single, Single, Single............did I say Single?    LOL
Siblings: 2 sisters (1 deceased) and 1 brother
Pets:  2 beautiful cats, Tipper (my boy) and Sandie (my girl)
Three bands you would consider to be your favorite:  (just to name a few) AC/DC, Heart, Fleetwood Mac, Rascal Flatts, Diamond Rio
Places you have travelled overseas, if any:  n/a
Sport(s) you play, if any: never played on a team if that is what this means..........
Sports team(s) you support:  Does Nascar Racing count?   
What you would/did name your first born child: I don't have any but if I did, girl's name (Emma Katie Mae) boy's name (Joah Conley)
Worst injury you've had: I was in a tornado, April 3, 1974 and received a bad blow to my forehead
Drink/Smoke?:  Drink-not anymore, Smoke-Yes
What time do you usually go to bed/wake up:  Around 10:00 (i should anyway) wake up on weekdays @ 6:00
Favorite food:  Fried Salmon Patties and Mac-n-Cheese
Favorite alcoholic drink: use to be Purple Hooter Shooters
Why people like you:  compassionate and a good sense of humor and being friendly
What people dislike about you:  too sensitive and tell it like it is (when I really shouldn't)   
Best achievement in life:  working 15 years for the gov't so far
Why you belong to this forum:  I wanted to become part of a group that knows what ESRD is like and I also wanted to learn more about my disease.

[Falkenbach]

What you want to do for a living: be a nephrologist 

One of the best answers I've ever seen! That's great, Emily. 

[poohkari]

First name: Kari
Nickname (irl): Actually, not "pooh" at all, thats Wade. My father calls me Booger though. Nice, right?
Location (be a bit specific): Richmond, VA (aka Fist City)
Age: 24
YOUR RENAL STATUS: working.
What you do for a living: event planner/waitress at a small corporate restaurant
What you want to do for a living: wedding planner fulltime, then a stay at home mom.
Relationship status: Wade, just over one year.
Siblings: 1 sister, older.
Pets: Sadly, Wade and I sent our sweet old cat, ernie, to Memphis to live with his parents when he got sick.
Three bands you would consider to be your favourite: dropkick murphys, the clash, the beach boys
Places you have travelled overseas, if any:  (totally doesnt count as overseas)
Sport(s) you play, if any: i was a cheerleader! 
Sports team(s) you support: NEW YORK YANKEES
What you would/did name your first born child: Depends on if its a boy or girl. Wade and I are leaning towards Thomas Cash for a boy or Gracie Lea for a girl. I'm partial to Ruby Lou as well!
Worst injury you've had: 2 crushed fingers on my left hand
Drink/Smoke?: not as much as as i used to for both
What time do you usually go to bed/wake up: it depends on how early i have to be at work in the AM!
Favourite colour: pink
Favourite food: Italian
Favourite alcoholic drink: margaritas with herradura silver, rocks and salt
Why people like you: im obscenely blunt. its also why people DONT like me.
What people dislike about you: see above
Best achievement in life: deciding I was going to work in the music industry, and 2 months later scoring a dream entry level job dealing with insane celebrities on a daily basis.
Why you belong to this forum: To vent, to gain knowledge on what we're dealing with, and for support.

[Beth36]

First name: Elizabeth
Nickname (irl): Butthole--hubby and I call each other that
Location (be a bit specific): Northern VA but I'm from Mississippi
Age: 36
YOUR RENAL STATUS:mom has ESRD and in the process of getting a transplant from my hubby, my youngest sister, or me--whoever is the best option
What you do for a living: Domestic Goddess
What you want to do for a living: sit my fat butt on Trunk Bay in St. John
Relationship status:married for almost 7 years!
Siblings: 1 brother and 2 sisters
Pets: 1 kitty named Hyacinth
Three bands you would consider to be your favourite: The Cult, The Cure, The GoGo's, The Sex Pistols anything 80's...I don't like a lot of the music now
Places you have travelled overseas, if any: England, Switzerland, Germany, Austria, Italy, France, St. John, USVI (where I got married!)
Sport(s) you play, if any: cheerleader
Sports team(s) you support: I hate football but I have to watch Alabama and the Redskins because my husband demands it
What you would/did name your first born child: Conor Joseph
Worst injury you've had: I broke my arm when I was a kid
Drink/Smoke?: yes, quit 4 years ago
What time do you usually go to bed/wake up: 11:00/depends on if CMan has had a nightmare or if he hasn't, I usually get up around 7:00am
Favourite colour: Red
Favourite food: good old Southern soul food
Favourite alcoholic drink: beer
Why people like you: because you never know what will come out of my mouth and I am pretty down to earth and what you see is what you get...I also have a pretty demented sense of humor
What people dislike about you: I will tell you to stick it if you deserve it.
Best achievement in life: my beautiful little man, Conor
Why you belong to this forum: to get an insight on ESRD and to get the "straight dope" about dialysis for my mom who is too chicken to ask and so I can help take care of her, when/if the time comes.

[KT0930]

First name: Katie
Nickname (irl): Bee bottom - goes back to a pair of underwear I had at age 4. Mom STILL calls me that on occasion!
Location (be a bit specific): close to Atlanta, GA
Age: 33
YOUR RENAL STATUS: kaput (x3)
What you do for a living: administrative assistant
What you want to do for a living: leaning toward Renal Social Worker
Relationship status: about three weeks away from my first wedding anniversary
Siblings: 1 full brother and one half brother, both older
Pets: Lucky, an absolutely wonderful mutt we adopted
Places you have travelled overseas, if any: Jamaica, Canada, and Mexico...I know not really "overseas"
Sport(s) you play, if any: I was a cheerleader
Sports team(s) you support: my son's soccer team
What you would/did name your first born child: William Edward, Jr. ("Billy")
Worst injury you've had: pulled ligament in my knee
Drink/Smoke?: drink, don't smoke
What time do you usually go to bed/wake up: go to sleep around 10:00, get up between 4:30 & 5:30
Favourite colour: green
Favourite food: Italian, Mexican, hot wings, garlic chicken...ummm, I like food
Favourite alcoholic drink: pina colada
Why people like you: I accept people as they are and don't force my opinions on them
What people dislike about you: If I'm tired or don't feel good, I can be a real b*tch
Best achievement in life: my son
Why you belong to this forum: Even though I'm trying to get my third transplant, I've never been on the list and needed a place to get information about living long-term on dialysis.

[MyRenalRomance]

What a great thread!!!

First name: Charlene
Nickname (irl): n/a
Location (be a bit specific): Campbell, CA
Age: 46 years young
YOUR RENAL STATUS: not really sure (I'm on dialysis!)
What you do for a living: mom/wife
What you want to do for a living: be a healthy, energetic mom/wife
Relationship status: married for 21 years
Siblings: yes - 1 brother
Pets: black labrador retriever
Three bands you would consider to be your favourite: AFI, Blaqk Audio, The Cure, The Clash, Smashing Pumpkins, Lostprophets, Kill Hannah, Linkin Park (sorry - couldn't narrow it down - but AFI is my absolute favorite)
Places you have travelled overseas, if any: None, yet.  Had a European trip planned early last Spring until my nephrologist nixed the idea since my kidneys were  unexpectedly rapidly failing.  One day, I will travel overseas!
Sport(s) you play, if any: n/a  (ha ha ha - you'd laugh, too, if you knew me!)
Sports team(s) you support: NHL SJ Sharks!!!  Go team!
What you would/did name your first born child: Kimberly
Worst injury you've had: none
Drink/Smoke?: no/no
What time do you usually go to bed/wake up: bedtime varies - sometimes early (dialysis days) sometimes late (non-dialysis days).  I wake up at 6:30 am.
Favourite colour: blood red, dark crimson, burgundy, etc . . . along those lines
Favourite food: ? (used to LOVE food) Now, it just isn't the same since dialysis . . .
Favourite alcoholic drink: n/a
Why people like you: optimistic, positive . . .
What people dislike about you: My hubby/kids dislike my "nagging"!  ha ha (its called "reminding")
Best achievement in life: 2 beautiful daughters
Why you belong to this forum: To communicate with like minded indivduals and make some new friends who are travelling along the same path.

[oswald]

First name:   jim
Nickname (irl):   jimmy
Location (be a bit specific):   glen burnie, maryland (10 miles south of baltimore)
Age:   41
YOUR RENAL STATUS:  post transplant (05/01/07)
What you do for a living:   floor coverings (carpet,wood,laminate,vinyl) - need some?  Let me know (that's if you live in Maryland)
What you want to do for a living:   buy and sell houses
Relationship status:   happily married
Siblings:   1 sister, 1 brother who died
Pets:   2 american pit bull terriers (zeke and duff)
Three bands you would consider to be your favourite:   eagles, boston, fleetwood mac
Places you have travelled overseas, if any:   scotland, england, spain, bahamas
Sport(s) you play, if any:   none
Sports team(s) you support:   baltimore ravens
What you would/did name your first born child:   jr.
Worst injury you've had:   got stabbed three times in the chest
Drink/Smoke?:  yes/yes
What time do you usually go to bed/wake up:   whenever
Favourite colour:   all of them
Favourite food:  Italian   
Favourite alcoholic drink:   southern comfort (100 proof)
Why people like you:   don't know
What people dislike about you:   don't know
Best achievement in life:   getting married
Why you belong to this forum:   to see what other people are going through and to offer advice when possible.

[Falkenbach]

Hi Oswald 

Good to see another bull-breeds fan! Best dogs ever.

Regards
Louise

[oswald]

bully breeds ROCK, but don't tell my boys that.

[Chris]

First name: Chris
Nickname (irl):  don't have one

Location (be a bit specific): Suburb of Chicago, Illinois

Age: 35 so far

YOUR RENAL STATUS: post kidney and pancreas transplant

What you do for a living: 

What you want to do for a living: Earn a decent paycheck

Relationship status:

Siblings:

Pets: none personally right now, mother has cats though

Three bands you would consider to be your favourite:
 

Places you have travelled overseas, if any:  none

Sport(s) you play, if any: none currently

Sports team(s) you support: Chicago White Sox

What you would/did name your first born child: n/a

Worst injury you've had: tough call, I have two that are about equal

Drink/Smoke?:  Drink socially/Don't Smoke

What time do you usually go to bed/wake up: go tobed 2 or 3 am up at 5:30 am on some days, other days up to 2 or 3 am and get up at noon (usualy weekends)

Favourite colour:

Favourite food: don't know

Favourite alcoholic drink:

Why people like you: No Clue, not interested to know

What people dislike about you: No Idea, don't care, I don't ask

Best achievement in life: living on my own at 17 by working 2 jobs and having a new car

Why you belong to this forum: I was told about this website and the name fits my feelings regarding dialysis. What, you thought I would say I'm looking for a date?...

[Falkenbach]

bully breeds ROCK, but don't tell my boys that.

Pffft, no need - they already KNOW. 

[GuyIncognito]

First name: Travis
Nickname (irl): Guy Incognito
Location (be a bit specific): Ottawa, Ontario, CANADA
Age: 28
YOUR RENAL STATUS: 5 Years on Hemo as of Nov. 1 - a form of allport's unique to my family
What you do for a living: Freight Broker
What you want to do for a living: Civil service - I have a rare talent for shuffling paper.
Relationship status: married
Siblings: 2 brothers
Pets: Dog - Hanna or as we call her THE HANNAIMAL
Three bands you would consider to be your favourite: Toots & the Maytals, Radio Head, The Clash
Places you have traveled overseas, if any: Ireland/England/Netherlands/Austria/Germany/Switzerland/France/Italy/South America
Sport(s) you play, if any: none lately
Sports team(s) you support: Ottawa Senators
What you would/did name your first born child: Isabelle
Worst injury you've had: Bacterial Infection - cause all sorts of wonderful complication's - lost me a 1 month old transplant
Drink/Smoke?: Occasional Gin & tonic / In times of high stress I fall back onto the smokes.
What time do you usually go to bed/wake up: 6am / 10pm
Favourite colour: Green
Favourite food: Sushi
Favourite alcoholic drink: Gin & Tonic... Use to be Guiness but Beer is a no no these days
Why people like you: I would rather listen than talk
What people dislike about you: I prefer to be alone... I don't always phone people back
Best achievement in life: My daughter Isabelle
Why you belong to this forum: Over the past years I have had trouble relating to anyone who is not on dialysis or what I call normies, This site allows me to speak openly about whats bothering me and possibly and it also gives me the opportunity to help someone who is new to dialysis or going thru a rough time.

[paddbear0000]

Missed this thread before!

First name: Janet
Nickname (irl): none
Location (be a bit specific): Dayton, OH
Age: 30
YOUR RENAL STATUS: at 19% function, no dialysis yet
What you do for a living: professional student!    I was a vet assistant, then Administrative Assistant
What you want to do for a living: Graphic Designer
Relationship status: married for 6 wonderful months!
Siblings: 1 sister (27)
Pets: 2 dogs - Zoe (pit/lab) and Boomer (golden ret./chow), plus my mother now has my black lab, Beagle and 3 cats (dogs were too old to bring with us and husband's allergic to cats)
Three bands you would consider to be your favourite: U2, Duran Duran, INXS
Places you have travelled overseas, if any: none
Sport(s) you play, if any: none
Sports team(s) you support: Cincinnati Bengals
What you would/did name your first born child: N/A
Worst injury you've had: knocked knee cap out of place by being pushed into a cinderblock wall while roller skating when young
Drink/Smoke?: drike - once in a while, smoke - no
What time do you usually go to bed/wake up: Get up around 7 am, go to bed around 10 pm
Favourite colour: burgundy/maroon, black
Favourite food: cheese
Favourite alcoholic drink: Elsa's Bar & Restaurant's Bad Juan (a super strength strawberry margarita)
Why people like you: I have no idea
What people dislike about you: I'm shy
Best achievement in life: Marrying the best man ever!
Why you belong to this forum: Well, one, because I want information, and two, because everyone is so nice, easy to talk and understand me!

[paddbear0000]

First name:   jim
Nickname (irl):   jimmy
Location (be a bit specific):   glen burnie, maryland (10 miles south of baltimore)

Hey! I grew up in Maryland! I lived most of my life just north of Baltimore, then moved to Baltimore City (Patterson Park & Federal Hill), before recently moving out here to Ohio. Great place--I miss it so much. I'm going home for Christmas this year tho!

[oswald]

i grew up in federal hill and locust point. they are great places to live.

[KR Cincy]

First name: Kevin
Nickname (irl):
Location (be a bit specific): Florence, KY (south of Cincinnati)
Age: 46
YOUR RENAL STATUS: kidneys went bye-bye...home hemo...hope for a transplant in 2012
What you do for a living: PR and special events
What you want to do for a living: this...I've done this a long time and I like it
Relationship status: Married to my sexxxy Susan
Siblings: one brother
Pets: none
Three bands you would consider to be your favourite: not really bands but Billy Joel, James Taylor, Meat Loaf
Places you have travelled overseas, if any: England, Scotland
Sport(s) you play, if any:
Sports team(s) you support: Buckeyes, Reds, Florence Freedom, Bengals
What you would/did name your first born child: my stepdaughter's name is Megan
Worst injury you've had: broken collarbone
Drink/Smoke?: used to drink socially (and was damn good at it) but no more...never smoked (cigarettes) 
What time do you usually go to bed/wake up: Bed between 10-11, up around 7
Favourite colour: green
Favourite food: baked goods of all types
Favourite alcoholic drink: used to love the Grey Goose
Why people like you: I've never been convicted of a felony...semi-regular bathing...no spinach in my teeth...just a guy
What people dislike about you: My insane modesty 
Best achievement in life: waiting to find Susan (I was 42 when I got married) and surviving this year (so far)
Why you belong to this forum: I'm still learning how to battle through this, so it's better to fight a war with friends, not alone





EDITED: Removed bold prompt - Sluff/ Admin

[paddbear0000]

KR Cincy-- Hi neighbor! I'm in Dayton and the in-laws are in Cincy!

[KR Cincy]

I used to live in Dayton (grew up in Middletown as well)...it's a good city. We pop up there every now again to see shows at the Schuster Center downtown...it's beautiful!

[paddbear0000]

I used to live in Dayton (grew up in Middletown as well)...it's a good city. We pop up there every now again to see shows at the Schuster Center downtown...it's beautiful!

Really? I've never been there. My husband is not into any kind of theater, opera, ballet, etc.

[Krisna]

First name:  Krisna
Nickname (irl):  None
Location (be a bit specific):  Tukwila, WA
Age:  35
YOUR RENAL STATUS:  ESRD since 1979
What you do for a living:  Homemaker
What you want to do for a living:  I don't know.  I keep changing my mind.
Relationship status:  Engaged to live in bf of 16 yrs!
Siblings:  Three younger sisters, Kari, Kelli & Karla. 
Pets:  A cat named Misty.
Three bands you would consider to be your favourite:  Sugarland, Kid Rock & Twisted Brown Trucker Band, and Doobie Brothers
Places you have traveled overseas, if any:  none overseas.
Sport(s) you play, if any:  I like badminton and tennis.   
Sports team(s) you support:  Not really into sports, though, I do watch the Superbowl.
What you would/did name your first born child:  Can't have kids because of kidney failure at a young age!
Worst injury you've had:  Strangled bowel!
Drink/Smoke?:  No/no
What time do you usually go to bed/wake up:  Late.  I suffer from insomnia!
Favourite colour:  Blues, mauves, turquoise
Favourite food:  Italian
Favourite alcoholic drink:  Don't drink
Why people like you:  I tell it like it is, I'm "real", and I'm the biggest smart ass I know!  In other words, I'm funny!  lol
What people dislike about you:  I'm the queen of the guilt trip!  lol  And I can read people like books!
Best achievement in life:  Living this long with Chronic Kidney Disease! 
Why you belong to this forum:  It looked like a good place for support from people who understand!

[Falkenbach]

So tell me Krisna, are you a current dialysis patient, or do you have a transplant? Have you had a transplant or transplants in the past? From 1979 is such a long time to have ESRD.