Getting to know each other

[Krisna]

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.

I'm on dialysis!  But I have had transplants!  I have been a patient a long time!  And I was lucky enough to have Dr. Robert Hickman as my very first Nephrologist!  And I know what a Scribner Shunt is!  lol

I posted all abt me and my transplants in the introduction section and also posted a newspaper article abt my first transplant when I was eight.  But here's the short list...

Nov. 1979 Diagnosed with ESRD after going into congestive heart failure - age 7

Jan. 1980 start hemodialysis (which only uses acid at that time) - age 8

Feb. 27, 1980 Five antigen transplant from father - age 8

Sept. 1988 Return to hemodialysis - age 16

Feb. 4, 1989 Six antigen cadaveric perfect match - age 17

Jan. 1994  Return to dialysis - age 22

Oct. 18, 1996 Six antigen cadaveric perfect match - age 24

Nov. 15, 1996 emergency surgery to repair aneurysm in kidney's artery which was spotted on ultra sound

Dec. 20, 1996 emergency surgery to repair another aneurysm in the kidney's artery.  Kidney is found to be infected and if removed.  The infection has spread down the artery in my right leg and the artery is tied off until it can be bypassed at a later date.

Spring 1997 arterial bypass surgery to restore arterial blood flow to my right leg. - age 25

July 29, 1998 Six antigen cadaveric perfect match (ultra sound tech decides to check on things just in case because he remembers me from last time)  As I'm waking up I hear, "There's a problem with the kidney, we have to take you back to the OR."   I find out later that the kidney had rolled onto its artery and cut off blood supply.  It's damaged but still works.  It wasted everything like fluid and vitamins. - age 26

Sept. 6, 2002 Return to dialysis - age 30

Dec. 7, 2002 Call 9-1-1 with sudden onset of severe abdominal pain.  I cannot get up off the couch!  I request and get the Medics.  Turns out my sm. intestine has become tangled in scar tissue and strangled itself, then leaked out into my body.  My potassium level is sky high.  I think it was something like 12 or higher.  At first they think I missed dialysis but hubby tells them no I didn't miss it and I got my entire treatment and I don't eat too much potassium.  They determine its from the leak.  They dialyzed me and give me IV meds to fool my body into thinking it's normal!  Outlook is not good.  The surgeon sleeps in the OR waiting for my potassium to get low enough.  Surgery is performed, during which my heart stops for appr. 12 minutes!  Surgeon goes and tells my family that she doesn't think I will survive.  My heart stops beating three more times!  I am in a coma for almost a week.  My sisters and my grandmother all come home surgeons don't think I will make it!  My little sister gets mad at our dad for calling funeral homes.  She wasn't there when the doctor said I probably wasn't gonna make it!

[angela515]

Wow... your one lucky person to have so many perfect match transplants.... unfortunately, you had so many problems, and that last time, sounds terrifying.. so glad your here with us today. 

[Krisna]

Wow... your one lucky person to have so many perfect match transplants.... unfortunately, you had so many problems, and that last time, sounds terrifying.. so glad your here with us today. 

 

Wasn't my time, I guess!  It was hard to recover from, I was in ICU for like two months.  I had to use a wheelchair and a walker for a long time but I eventually recovered!  My nephrologist calls me his miracle patient!

And, I also messed transplant #2 up by not taking my meds like I was supposed to and drinking a lot.  But I was young and had a bad home life!  Learned a hard lesson!

[Falkenbach]

Ooops, guess I should have read the introduction section, but thank you for filling me in on all of that, it is great to read, although very moving and sad that you have been through so much - however, you're in the right place!

[Krisna]

Ooops, guess I should have read the introduction section, but thank you for filling me in on all of that, it is great to read, although very moving and sad that you have been through so much - however, you're in the right place!

You should read the newspaper clipping I posted in the transplant stories section.  There is a pic of me and my dad who gave me one of his kidneys when I was eight.

http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=5442.msg79262#msg79262

[Falkenbach]

aw, thanks for sharing. Lovely story.

[Krisna]

What you want to do for a living: Own a Brothel

 

[rookiegirl]

First name: Mary
Nickname (irl): n/a
Location (be a bit specific): Graham, NC
Age: 36
YOUR RENAL STATUS: ESRD
What you do for a living: Revenue Analyst
What you want to do for a living: My dream job when I was a kid is to be a Botanist (Study plants) weird huh?
Relationship status: Married
Siblings: 6
Pets: n/a
Three bands you would consider to be your favorite: Maroon 5, Greenday, The All American Rejects
Places you have travelled overseas, if any: Philippines, Japan
Sport(s) you play, if any: Basketball, Softball
Sports team(s) you support: Carolina Tarheels (Go Heels!!!)
What you would/did name your first born child: Mia
Worst injury you've had: Pulled tendon on my right knee playing basketball in middle school.
Drink/Smoke?: Drink occasionally (beer, wine, some mixed drinks).  I'm a non-smoker.  I don't even know how too (inhale).  Tried it in high school and the vomited instead.
What time do you usually go to bed/wake up: During work week, around 10pm.  Weekends real late 12pm.  I'm not a morning person, but work week I'm up by 7am.  Weekends around 9am
Favorite colour: Blue
Favorite food: Anything Italian
Favorite alcoholic drink:  Budlight, Merlot, Margaritas on ice no salt
Why people like you: I'm friendly, loving, caring, understanding
What people dislike about you: perfectionist.  I have to make sure everything is time and scheduled.  I like things to be just right and have a plan B if things go wrong.
Best achievement in life: Married to the most wonderful man and mother to 2 beautiful, loving girls.
Why you belong to this forum: Due to my ESRD, I feel as though I can learn from everyone on this forum.  I have a better understand of what I'm currently going thru by reading others experiences.  Thank you all.  I have learned so much.  I know I will continue to learn more as days go by.

[kellyt]

First name:   Kelly
Nickname (irl):   Kelly
Location (be a bit specific):   San Antonio, TX
Age: 39
YOUR RENAL STATUS:  pre-dialysis.  Hoping to transplant with living donor in 2008.
What you do for a living:  self employed
What you want to do for a living:   love self-employment - I currently work about a 5 hr work week.
Relationship status:   Married
Siblings:   two older brothers
Pets:   two dogs (greyhound and lab mix)
Three bands you would consider to be your favourite:   Sammy Hagar, Melisa Ethridge, Pink Floyd
Places you have travelled overseas, if any:  Jamaica, Bahamas, British Columbia
Sport(s) you play, if any:  none now, but played basketball and volleyball in my school days.
Sports team(s) you support:    San Antonio Spurs
What you would/did name your first born child:   I have no children and I don't know what I would have named them if I did.
Worst injury you've had:   Motorcycle accident in 86 (hit deer) caused severe road rash and a couple of chunks taken out of elbow and knee, but only a hairline fracture of the right wrist
Drink/Smoke?:   Socially smoked for a while, but quit with no problems.  I'm not a drinker.
What time do you usually go to bed/wake up:   I usually go to bed around 9 p.m. and watch crappy TV until about 11 or 12 then fall asleep.  I usually wake-up between 9 and 10 a.m.
Favourite colour:   I like the colors of Fall.
Favourite food:   good ole burger and fries
Favourite alcoholic drink:   strawberry daiquiri
Why people like you:   funny, quick witted
What people dislike about you:    quick witted, sarcastic
Best achievement in life:   married the perfect man
Why you belong to this forum:   simular situations bring people together for comfort.  I deeply appreciate the views, stories and support given on this website.

[jamescfs]

First name: James
Nickname (irl): N/A
Location (be a bit specific): Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Age: 34
YOUR RENAL STATUS: ESRD, on nocturnal home hemodialysis since Oct 2004
What you do for a living: Production Coordinator in a packaging pre-press company
What you want to do for a living: Work from home or work for myself or my own business
Relationship status: Single
Siblings: 2 - a 37 year old brother and 21 year old sister
Pets: None, used to have tropical fish
Three bands you would consider to be your favourite: New Order (band), Depeche Mode (band), Feist (artist)
Places you have travelled overseas, if any: England, France, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Austria, New Zealand, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia (all before being diagnosed with ESRD)
Sport(s) you play, if any: Does mini-golf count?
Sports team(s) you support: Toronto Blue Jays, and any other team that plays against the Yankees on any given night
What you would/did name your first born child: Don't plan on having children
Worst injury you've had: Cut lip and broken front tooth after getting whacked in the face with a hockey stick during a game in grade 3 at school
Drink/Smoke?: Drink: Very rarely, Smoke: No
What time do you usually go to bed/wake up: 10PM/6AM (and dialysis in between)
Favourite colour: Blue
Favourite food: Asian and Mediterranean
Favourite alcoholic drink: Bloody Caeser
Why people like you: Honest, dependable, trustworthy, loyal, easy-going, puts others' needs before my own
What people dislike about you: Sometimes too honest, sometimes too organized almost to the point of being anal, can become very emotional (especially since being on dialysis), puts others' needs before my own
Best achievement in life: Managing to keep working a full time job and even receiving a promotion, while on dialysis (subsequently had to step down a year and half after my promotion because of worsening health)
Why you belong to this forum: To meet other amazing strong people living with kidney disease, and just a nice getaway from real life!

[karen547]

First name: Emma
Nickname (irl): Lou-Lou, Puppy, Ollie, Mrs O, Baby, Littl'un..........
Location (be a bit specific): Crystal Palace, London, UK
Age: 27
YOUR RENAL STATUS: Married to renal patient.
What you do for a living: Make Jewellery, Housewife
What you want to do for a living: Be a full time housewife & Mum!
Relationship status: Married
Siblings: 3 Brothers. (All older)
Pets: No
Three bands you would consider to be your favourite: Can't narrow it down to three!
Places you have travelled overseas, if any: France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, West Virginia USA,
Sport(s) you play, if any: Surfing.......... the net that is!
Sports team(s) you support: None
What you would/did name your first born child: Sarah Beth for a girl, Jotham Josiah for a boy.
Worst injury you've had: Broke my arm in three places roller skating. Crashed into a wall and my arm crumpled! Ouch!!!
Drink/Smoke?: Very Occasionally/No
What time do you usually go to bed/wake up: 11pm-7am
Favourite colour: Black, Red, Purple
Favourite food: Italian
Favourite alcoholic drink: Vodka & Redbull
Why people like you:  
What people dislike about you: 
Best achievement in life: Getting married to Heph
Why you belong to this forum: I love it! 

redbull is terrible for the kidneys!!!





EDITED:  Fixed quote tag - Goofynina/Admin.

[oswald]

any kind of energy or power drink is.

[Bajanne]

But she is not the renal patient, so I suppose it is okay.  Heph is the renal patient.

[karen547]

oops sorry- but still for anyone healthy kidneys or not it is still bad

[Falkenbach]

I'm a sucker for Red Bull. 

[rookiegirl]

First name: James
Nickname (irl): N/A
Location (be a bit specific): Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Age: 34
YOUR RENAL STATUS: ESRD, on nocturnal home hemodialysis since Oct 2004
What you do for a living: Production Coordinator in a packaging pre-press company
What you want to do for a living: Work from home or work for myself or my own business
Relationship status: Single
Siblings: 2 - a 37 year old brother and 21 year old sister
Pets: None, used to have tropical fish
Three bands you would consider to be your favourite: New Order (band), Depeche Mode (band), Feist (artist)
Places you have travelled overseas, if any: England, France, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Austria, New Zealand, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, Malaysia (all before being diagnosed with ESRD)
Sport(s) you play, if any: Does mini-golf count?
Sports team(s) you support: Toronto Blue Jays, and any other team that plays against the Yankees on any given night
What you would/did name your first born child: Don't plan on having children
Worst injury you've had: Cut lip and broken front tooth after getting whacked in the face with a hockey stick during a game in grade 3 at school
Drink/Smoke?: Drink: Very rarely, Smoke: No
What time do you usually go to bed/wake up: 10PM/6AM (and dialysis in between)
Favourite colour: Blue
Favourite food: Asian and Mediterranean
Favourite alcoholic drink: Bloody Caeser
Why people like you: Honest, dependable, trustworthy, loyal, easy-going, puts others' needs before my own
What people dislike about you: Sometimes too honest, sometimes too organized almost to the point of being anal, can become very emotional (especially since being on dialysis), puts others' needs before my own
Best achievement in life: Managing to keep working a full time job and even receiving a promotion, while on dialysis (subsequently had to step down a year and half after my promotion because of worsening health)
Why you belong to this forum: To meet other amazing strong people living with kidney disease, and just a nice getaway from real life!

WOW!  You are very fortunate to have traveled in all those countries.  Good for you.

[xtrememoosetrax]

First name: Martha
Nickname (irl): N/A
Location (be a bit specific): Albuquerque, NM
Age: 47
YOUR RENAL STATUS:  Planning to be living donor to a friend.
What you do for a living: Medical transcriptionist
What you want to do for a living: Be a librarian.
Relationship status:  In a committed relationship with a wonderful partner -- her name is Lina. 
Siblings: one sister, 2 years older than me.
Pets: 3 cats -- Pippi, Pebbles, and Leroy.
Three bands you would consider to be your favourite:  Current faves -- David Byrne, Peter Gabriel, Elvis Costello.  Perennials -- Al Green, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan, Linda Ronstadt.
Places you have travelled overseas, if any: England, France, Switzerland, The Netherlands (Amsterdam for a few hours), South Africa.
Sport(s) you play, if any:  Ping pong (not exactly a "sport," but the best I can do here) 
Sports team(s) you support: Green Bay Packers, Wisc. Badgers, UNM Lobos.
What you would/did name your first born child:  N/A
Worst injury you've had: Haven't really had any -- lucky me!
Drink/Smoke?: Quit drinking at age 24; never smoked.
What time do you usually go to bed/wake up: 10pm/6am
Favourite colour: Brown.
Favourite food:  Pizza, cheeseburger & fries  Also love East Indian food.
Favourite alcoholic drink:  I used to LOVE sherry ; alas, no more .
Why people like you: Kind, gentle, honest, mostly easy-going.
What people dislike about you:  I'm not always very flexible; i.e., I have to PLAN to be spontanous  .
Best achievement in life:  Quitting drinking, making and keeping some wonderful friends, finding a wonderful partner.
Why you belong to this forum: To learn about ESRD and kidney donation, and because you all are so nice!  

[paddbear0000]

Why you belong to this forum: To learn about ESRD and kidney donation, and because you all are so nice!   

Well, we think you're nice too!

[Katonsdad]

First name:    Kevin
Nickname (irl):    Katonsdad
Location (be a bit specific):    Richmond Va
Age:   45
YOUR RENAL STATUS:  Transplanted   Kidney/Pancreas
What you do for a living:  Dispatch Supervisor
What you want to do for a living:  Be a Lottery winner
Relationship status:   Married 10 yrs
Siblings:  3    2 Brothers  (1 gone)  1 Sisiter
Three bands you would consider to be your favourite:  Beach Boys , Alabama , Coltrain (local in Spokane Wa
Places you have travelled overseas, if any:   No overseas , Been to Hawaii . Canada and Mexico
Sport(s) you play, if any: Golf
Sports team(s) you support:   Virginia Tech Hookies
What you would/did name your first born child:   Katon James
Worst injury you've had:  Windshield Wiper of Car thru my Arm
Drink/Smoke?:  NOT OFTEN
What time do you usually go to bed/wake up:   2300   /  0530
Favourite colour:  Blue
Favourite food:  Chinese
Favourite alcoholic drink:   Johny Walker
Why people like you:    Because I can make them laugh (and make balloon animals)
What people dislike about you:   According to my wife I am cranky once a month
Best achievement in life:   Placing a Mans Seeks Woman ad in the Pennysaver and meeting my wife and having
                                      her stick with me after Bypass surgery . Dialysis and Transplant and  having a wonderful
                                      baby boy
Why you belong to this forum:  To learn from other and help educate with my personal experie

[Sluff]

Johnny Walker Red? or Black?  be specific here. Johnny Walker red was one of my buddiew years ago. 

[Katonsdad]

For special occasions I have the Red at home , Way up in the cupboard away from the liitle guy.

I have had the Red , Black Blue and the Green .  I prefer the Green , single malt . But it takes alot of
green to get it . Was able to buy Green and Blue on my last cruise abd it was not so badly priced .
So Green is what I prefer but I can afford the Red and Black

Katonsdad

[Falkenbach]

Worst injury you've had:  Windshield Wiper of Car thru my Arm

  ..... OUCH!

[Phurball]

First name: Cecelia
Nickname (irl) Cee
Location (be a bit specific): Danville, IN
Age: 65
YOUR RENAL STATUS: ESRD, incenter dialysis MWF
What you do for a living: Retired Quality Assurance Director, electronics
What you want to do for a living: Be a beach bum, really !  At my age it sounds GREAT !
Relationship status: Widowed
Siblings: 3, 1 sister deceased, and   brother and sister still living. 
Pets: 1 older cat named Milly, she was my deceased sisters cat, I love her to pieces.
Three bands you would consider to be your favorite: Doobies, Beatles, CCR etc ......
Places you have travelled overseas, if any: Only to the Bahamas, and Canada
Sport(s) you play, if any: none
Sports team(s) you support: Go Colts and Pacers
What you would/did name your first born child: Elizabeth Ann
Worst injury you've had: fell and broke my back in 2 places
Drink/Smoke?: yes please :-)
What time do you usually go to bed/wake up: I'm  flexible, when ever I choose I guess.
Favorite colour: green
Favorite food: surf and turf
Favorite alcoholic drink:  Baileys Irish Creme, Margaritas
Why people like you: I think I am a fairly loving and giving person.
What people dislike about you: I am a huge procrastinator
Best achievement in life: Beth Ann
Why you belong to this forum: My Grandson Adam led me here, it has become a safe place of refuge. 

[MelissaJean]

First name: Melissa
Nickname (irl) Mel, Melly, Mace
Location (be a bit specific): Benicia, CA
Age: 25
YOUR RENAL STATUS: ESRD, incenter dialysis MWF
What you do for a living: elementary special ed teacher
What you want to do for a living: currently this is my dream job
Relationship status: have a boyfriend
Siblings: none
Pets: i have a little cat penny.. who is spoiled rotten!
Three bands you would consider to be your favorite: Matchbox 20, Linkin Park, The Beatles
Places you have travelled overseas, if any: Prague, Paris, Italy, Vienna, Costa Rica
Sport(s) you play, if any: does dance count?
Sports team(s) you support: Raiders, Kings, and Oakland A's
What you would/did name your first born child:  no current kids, but girl Soleil and boy James
Worst injury you've had:   ummm hurt my tailbone
Drink/Smoke?: no
What time do you usually go to bed/wake up: Bed 9:30, Wake up 6:30
Favorite colour: tiffany's blue
Favorite food: my favorite food depends on my mood, though I do love California Rolls
Favorite alcoholic drink:  Red Wine
Why people like you: I am non judgemental, and will go the extra mile for someone, i also smile a lot
What people dislike about you: I am a huge worry wart
Best achievement in life: Being alive
Why you belong to this forum: Because dialysis is scary. There are so many people who don't understand the emotional complexity of being on dialysis and the physical strain and frustration.  I always here "well you are alive and thats what you should be thankful for"  and only people here would empathize.


EDITED: Removed quote tag - okarol/moderator

[willieandwinnie]

First name: Kathy
Nickname (irl) Katie
Location (be a bit specific): Lexington Park, Maryland (in the sticks)
Age: 54
YOUR RENAL STATUS: Caregiver to Len (home-hemo, transplant 9/07)
What you do for a living: See above
What you want to do for a living: My dream job would be doing graphics for the National Geographic Magazine
Relationship status: Married 30 years
Siblings: none
Pets: Willie and Winnie, Yorkshire Terriers and 1 Maine Coon Cat, named Mouse
Three bands you would consider to be your favorite: Beach Boys, Chicago, Boys To Men (so do they count as a band?)
Places you have travelled overseas, if any: None but Len was in the Navy for 20+ years and went everywhere
Sport(s) you play, if any: Use to bowl and playbaseball
Sports team(s) you support: Washington Redskins and Boston Red Sox's
What you would/did name your first born child:  Ramona
Worst injury you've had:   Broken disk in lower back
Drink/Smoke?: Don't drink, smoke and wish I could stop, very bad habit
What time do you usually go to bed/wake up: Bed 10:00, Wake up 5:30 - 6:00
Favorite colour: cobalt blue
Favorite food: Italian
Favorite alcoholic drink:  Don't drink
Why people like you: extremely honest
What people dislike about you: I am very opinionated
Best achievement in life: My 2 beautiful children
Why you belong to this forum: You are my family. You understand and care about what I go through.