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DenverLaura
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« on: February 27, 2009, 09:00:57 PM »

Hello IHD World!

So before I introduce myself, I must admit that this is my first message board posting ever (not just IHD).  But the lure of a world where you can confess your dialysis heartaches and breakthroughs and learn tips from those who have been there before was all too tempting.

As my user name implies, I'm Laura from Denver.  I was diagnosed with Alport's when I was 10.  Surprisingly enough, my doctor at the time said that since I was female, I would very likely never see symptoms or negative effects from the disease...it would just hang out dormant.  My brother was also diagnosed, but since he is male, he was more likely to feel the effects of the disease.

About 8 months ago at a routine physical, my doctor noticed high blood pressure - a first for me.  I returned 2 months later for further testing, and despite a more rigid diet, it hadn't decreased.  She tested some blood (knowing about my disease from my medical records) and then called me with the news - renal failure.  I tracked down a nephrologist and began my pursuit of treatment.

Since I'd never displayed symptoms, I essentially (at least for myself) jumped from health to end stage...no 1, 2, 3, 4, 5.  In some ways it made it better - no slow progress wondering when you'll be getting worse.  And since I was diagnosed so young (I'm in my 20's now), it really wasn't too hard to swallow (my brother's kidneys began failing 2 years ago, so I knew it was a strong possibility for me).  I kept shocking physicians with my calm demeanor...I mean, sure, no one wants kidney failure, but at least it was me and not a friend or another family member.  And of all the organs to fail, kidneys have a lot of treatment options.  I try to stay optimistic.  Plus I have been blessed with very few symptoms...just fatigue hits me hard (I can honestly sleep 12 hours in the night, wake up for breakfast, and then take an all-day nap, wake for dinner, and go right back to bed).

So now I'm on PD.  I did my cycler training today, so I should be starting that soon - can't wait!  4 exchanges a day has really made an impact on my day-to-day schedule.  I have a couple of family members being tested to be a donor, so I'm optimistic that I will have a match soon.  My brother has been on the transplant list for a couple of years, but we haven't found a living donor match for him yet.  Most days I worry more about him than myself.

So that's a little bit about my kidneys.  As for the rest of me, I love sports and physical activity, so I try to stay active (just no crunches!).  I still work and go out with friends and enjoy all of the wonderful things Colorado has to offer.  Kidney disease isn't convenient, but I try to maintain a sense of normalcy despite it.

Well, that's my novel!  Looking forward to learning more from the other posts.

~DenverLaura :) :welcomesign;
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Wenchie58
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Always carrying the big silly grin!

« Reply #1 on: February 27, 2009, 09:19:44 PM »

 :welcomesign; Laura!

I love your attitude!  You'll find tons of info and support here!
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Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning Satan shudders and says "Oh s**t, she's awake!"

Right nephrectomy 1963
Diagnosed ESRD 2007
"Listed" summer 2007
Transplant 3/6 match  10/24/08
Joe Paul
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« Reply #2 on: February 27, 2009, 09:47:55 PM »

Welcome  Laura, good to have you aboard.
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"The history of discovery is completed by those who don't follow rules"
Angels are with us, but don't take GOD for granted
Transplant Jan. 8, 2010
G-Ma
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« Reply #3 on: February 27, 2009, 10:11:04 PM »

 :welcomesign;
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Lost vision due to retinopathy 12/2005, 30 Laser Surg 2006
ESRD diagnosed 12/2006
03/2007 Fantastic Eye Surgeon in ND got my sight back and implanted lenses in both eyes, great distance & low reading.
Gortex 4/07.  Started dialysis in ND 5/4/2007
Gortex clotted off Thanksgiving Week of 2007, was unclotted and promptly clotted off 1/2 hour later so Permacath Rt chest.
3/2008 move to NC to be close to children.
2 Step fistula, 05/08-elevated 06/08, using mid August.
Aug 5, 08, trained NxStage and Home on 9/3/2008.
Fistulagram 09/2008. In hospital 10/30/08, Bowel Obstruction.
Back to RAI-Latrobe In Center. No home hemo at this time.
GOD IS GOOD
peleroja
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I have 16 hats, all the same style!

« Reply #4 on: February 28, 2009, 08:55:20 AM »

Welcome aboard, Laura.  I had to laugh about 4 exchanges interfering with your life.  I started on 4 a day, then 2 years later went to 5 a day, then 2 years later went to 6 a day before finally being "forced" to use the cycler.  You just learn to work around your dialysis schedule.  Best of luck on the cycler.  Come on back and post often!
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DenverLaura
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« Reply #5 on: February 28, 2009, 12:47:19 PM »

Thanks everyone for the warm welcome!  And peleroja, wow - 6 a day!  Maybe I just lack the patience for 4. :)
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willieandwinnie
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« Reply #6 on: February 28, 2009, 02:49:04 PM »

:welcomesign; Laura. Great introduction and what a wonderful attitude you have. We are a great source of information and support and we hope to hear more from you. Have your brother join us also, the more the merrier.  :cuddle;
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"I know there's nothing to it, but I want to know what it is there's nothing to"
RichardMEL
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« Reply #7 on: February 28, 2009, 08:52:54 PM »

Welcome Laura and you made a great first forum post anywhere. Now you've lost your virginity jump right in and join in the fun! It's great to have you here. I think you have a great attitude for someone so young dealing with such a situation and positive attitudes DEFINITELY help longer term dealing with dialysis and hopefully a transplant. You certainly will apprieciate that I am sure. I am just sorry to hear your brother is suffering too - that's even harder. You sound like a caring sister as well... so keep up the good stuff and glad to have you with us!

 :welcomesign; :grouphug;
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3/1993: Diagnosed with Kidney Failure (FSGS)
25/7/2006: Started hemo 3x/week 5 hour sessions :(
27/11/2010: Cadaveric kidney transplant from my wonderful donor!!! "Danny" currently settling in and working better every day!!! :)

BE POSITIVE * BE INFORMED * BE PROACTIVE * BE IN CONTROL * LIVE LIFE!
Rerun
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Going through life tied to a chair!

« Reply #8 on: February 28, 2009, 08:58:00 PM »

Welcome to IHD Laura.  Glad you found us.  I think you will find this site interesting and louring with all the different topics.

                                                       :welcomesign;
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Bajanne
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Goofynina and Epoman - Gone But Not Forgotten

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« Reply #9 on: March 01, 2009, 01:41:22 AM »

Welcome to our community, Laura!  I am so glad that you found us.  And thanks for that lovely intro - it was just the kind that our founder Epoman loved to have.  So you are off to a good start!!  You will find that this is an excellent place for information, support and , yes, even fun!!!  You will also find that this is not just a website - it is a genuine caring and sharing family  :grouphug;   The thing to do is to keep reading and keep posting.  Let us know how  you are doing.  Is your brother a computer person?  Would he like to join us as well.
Looking forward to hearing from you.




Bajanne, Moderator
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"To be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own ...but that which is based on faith"



I LOVE  my IHD family! :grouphug;
boxman55
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« Reply #10 on: March 01, 2009, 08:41:40 AM »

Hi Laura, welcome to IHD. Your upbeat attitude is great. Look forward to your posts and let your brother know about this site also.

Boxman,Moderator
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"Be the change you wished to be"
Started Hemodialysis 8/14/06
Lost lower right leg 5/16/08 due to Diabetes
Sister was denied donation to me for medical reasons 1/2008
pelagia
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« Reply #11 on: March 01, 2009, 10:04:54 AM »

Hi Laura,  Great to read you post.   :welcomesign; to IHD.
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As for me, I'll borrow this thought: "Having never experienced kidney disease, I had no idea how crucial kidney function is to the rest of the body." - KD
thegrammalady
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« Reply #12 on: March 01, 2009, 10:29:28 AM »

:yahoo; :yahoo; :yahoo; someone else in colorado, i'm getting kind of tired of hanging out here all alone  :welcomesign; aboard. let's meet sometime for lunch, i'm in castle rock. one of the greatest benefits of ihd is that some of us have had the opportunity to meet. a get together the last two years in las vegas and one in chicago last year. (epoman would be so proud) and (isn't it time to decide on this years meet up , sluff ? hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm?) any way i digress, you'll find lots of information here and friends too.  :welcomesign; :welcomesign; :welcomesign;
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s
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If you can smile when things go wrong, you have someone in mind to blame.

Lead me not into temptation, I can find it myself.

Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass, it's about learning how to dance in the rain.

Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.

Meddle Not In The Affairs Of Dragons
For You Are Crunchy And Taste Good With Ketchup
cat
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« Reply #13 on: March 01, 2009, 11:33:52 AM »

 :welcomesign;  Glad you are here!
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cat
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« Reply #14 on: March 02, 2009, 04:26:24 PM »

 :welcomesign; Laura,

We are in Littleton, Colorado.  I am currently in Hemo at Childrens Hospital in Aurora, CO with my 14 year old daughter.  I love your attitude.  You are so positive.  I would love to give both my kidneys, one to each daughter.  Unfortunately, my daughter that is currently on dialysis is blood type B and I am an A.  She has a couple of relatives being evaluated, but she has been on dialysis for 14 months and we seem to be getting nowhere.  I hope that you find a living donor soon.   :flower;
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Susan, mom of Jaclyn, Deziree and Valerie

www.cotaforjaclynp.com
Jaclyn and Deziree diagnosed CKD 2/07; NPHP (type 1) 9/07
Jaclyn started dialysis 1/2/08
Successful Transplant 7/4/2009 at Lucile Packard Childrens Hospital @ Stanford, Palo Alto, CA
Deziree in denial
Jaclyn listed 5/08
Deziree listed 1/09 ("Inactive")
Jaclyn Cadaver kidney transplant 7/4/09 (Independence from dialysis day!)
paul.karen
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« Reply #15 on: March 03, 2009, 08:30:19 AM »

 :waving; Laura

I missed your great intro,,
But better late then never.  I am glad you found IHD.
Hope to see you on many of the threads.
Keep up the great attitude :thumbup;
P&K
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Curiosity killed the cat
Satisfaction brought it back

Operation for PD placement 7-14-09
Training for cycler 7-28-09

Started home dialysis using Baxter homechoice
8-7-09
drinkboy
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« Reply #16 on: March 03, 2009, 09:33:05 AM »

Welcome aboard Laura.  This is the first and only place I have ever posted on a message board too.  Your first one was great, so you didn't take long to get the hang of it.  Hope to see more posts in the future.
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David13
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A meow massages the heart.

« Reply #17 on: March 03, 2009, 09:58:52 AM »

Welcome DenverLaura!   :welcomesign;

I am sure you will find a great deal of helpful information here as well as support when you need it!

I hope to be seeing you posting often!
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“The first human being who hurled an insult instead of a stone was the founder of civilization” - Sigmund Freud
Dan.Larrabee
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Dialysis Dan

« Reply #18 on: March 10, 2009, 02:01:46 AM »

I Laura, I have always liked that name.
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AKA Dialysis Dan
Feeling the best I can because of Home Hemo
Doing it the best way I can by making it Nocturnal
Sharing it to help everyone feel they best they can
www.youtube.com/dialysisdan
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