I lost my kidneys due to Hypertension,
Ok, well just the name of this site brought me here. I hate dialysis!!! Where to start... I am 36 and am waiting for my 2nd transplant. I started dialysis Nov. 8th 1995 (notice how you never forget the dates of everything) I was on dialysis for 21 months and on the transplant list for 17. I had a graft in my lower left arm but it clotted almost everyother week. Then I had a fistula in my upper left arm until I got my transplant on July 17th 1997 it lastest 5 & half years. Never was a great match it was a cadaver my creatine was always like at 2.0. I gained 40 pounds in 3 weeks after the transplant and was like a big balloon. I went back on dialysis on Dec 23rd 2002 (Christmas Eve, nice) I had a graft put in my left upper arm and it has worked off and on until May 2007. Then I had a cafeder that had to be changed at least 5 times in the 5 months that I had it. I have sensitive skin so it was a miserable time. My doctor gave me a choice of a graft on top of the other graft on my upper left arm or go for a fistula in my right arm and do the botton hole procedure. I went for the fistula and it was not a great experience. The botton hole on the arterial worked great from the get go but the venous just would not mature. Finally it is going alright right now but every treatment I hold my breath until I see the blood flash back after she puts the needle in. Anyways, I know this is long and not really written well, but it feels nice to just write it all out.
I have been on the transplant list since Nov. 17th 2003. Last time it took 17 months to get a kidney, this time I am on month 51 and counting. The doctors say it is longer this time due to my blood type B- and that my body had built up antibodies and since I already had a transplant it knows how to fight it.
Well I guess I came here to see if anyone else has been waiting a long time too. I have learned so much from my first transplant that I can't wait to get the next one and for one not gain so much weight but for another to really respect the gift I get. I truly did not the last time I was all poor me but now I know it is better me than someone else in my family or elsewhere that may have not been able to handle it. Well, I still poor me sometimes but I say shut up and go on.
Ok, So that's my story, Thanks for listenig
Hi Tabby,
I hope you get a second transplant soon. Your story touched my deeply. I wish everyone on this board and everyone in kidney failure would get well from a new medical discovery, which is not out of the picture with all the progress in medicine today.
I have to say keep your chin up and try and make the best of it we can.
I'm sorry it took so long to answer but I work long hours because I know that very soon I most likely I will be on disability. I try and not think about it but I see my doctor in 3 days which is when I will get my fistula or whatever approach my Nephrologist thinks best for my particular situation. I have so many complications there may not be a chance of even keeping my alive? Only 3 months after being diagnosed with CKD I was diagnosed with Heart failure also. Seems like it's one thing leads to another to another to another.
I have recently discovered using oxygen therapy one a day and believe it or not it is helping my stamina. Due to my anemia and heart failure I get so out of breath so quickly it's almost unbelievable. But a friend of mine gave me a case of 12 cans of 93% pure oxygen and after using it for 40 breaths in a row once a day after the third day I can all of a sudden take a full lung of air now and don't get fatigued, or get so out of breath so quickly as I have been for over a year now due to the severe anemia and heart failure. The oxygen is not cheap ($10 a can/day) and won't be able to afford to do it when I run out of the case my friend gave me, but with my hematocrit at 31.5 (even with 40k units of procrit every two weeks) It's like I'm suffocating even when I'm relaxing just sitting in a chair watching a movie.
Anyway, I just had to reply to your post welcoming me into the group.
Thank you for sharing your story. I want everyone to know that I am a great listener and if anyone wants to rant or vent I will gladly listen to you and do anything I can to help with moral support. I know I am going to be one that needs someone to vent to when I start my dialysis.
I'm 56 years old and lost my mother to renal failure when she was 56 years old and my grandfather (my mom's father) when he was lucky enough to last until he was 86 years old with kidney failure.
I am type II diabetic since 2000 and have a hard time keeping my glucose under control even though I try and do my best in following my doctors instructions and diet. One thing I don't get enough of is exercise because of my quick shortness of breath.
Best of luck to you and thank you again for sharing your story,
Rick
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