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User Rank: Administrator
Joined: 10/19/2006
Posts: 63
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For those who think that “it can’t happen to me”, you might be surprised. This summer I just turned 40. My health was good, was happy with what I did and was looking forward to the birth of another child in October. Then from out of no where I ended up in the hospital with blood pressure of 210/130 and my kidneys basically failed.
It is now 3 months later and I feel pretty good. Salt is no longer my friend along with pop, chips and many other treats. I will be on a bunch of pills till I get a transplant as my kidneys are only functioning at 15%.
My sister has started the process to see if she is a donor, thus I should know this later this week as the tests were done two weeks ago. If she is, I will get a transplant, if not I will have to wait till I get one from a cadaver which is a 3 to 5 year wait.
My advice to all men out there is to have a yearly physical as this could happen to you!
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User Rank: Newbie
Joined: 9/24/2008
Posts: 75
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Sorry to hear that David, hope it all works out!
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User Rank: Newbie
Joined: 10/6/2008
Posts: 54
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David,
I am so sorry to hear about your kidney problem. I can't imagine what a shock that must have been. We just assume that we'll be healthy and well as we move along through life and, unfortunately, that isn't always the case.
I'm glad to hear that you are beginning the process to receive a transplant and we'll send you positive vibes and hope that you are surrounded by healing white light until you are well again.
I do know a bit about kidney issues as my husband is a type one diabetic. We worry about the kidneys constantly because they become quite vulnerable in diabetics.
Take care,
Madison
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User Rank: Intermediate
Joined: 9/24/2008
Posts: 199
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David, Hope the tests point to "compatibility of kidneys." That's so big of your sister to want to donate. Will the medications make the kidneys function at higher than 15% eventually? I'm big on yearly physicals. I usually pay extra to have it done privately. For a few years I went to this private clinic in Montreal and they did the whole 9 yards (including my hearing, vision, heart, blood, fitness level, etc). Then at the end you get to eat a muffin, juice, coffee and tea - compliments of the house. They even give you a brand new jogging outfit! Now I'm even thinking of going to the Mayo Clinic to have a thorough physical. But I'm afraid to ask how much it will cost me. Still health is wealth 
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User Rank: Newbie
Joined: 10/4/2008
Posts: 30
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I`m so sorry to hear this. You just never know when your body is gonna have problems. This is what scares me about not having insurance. I can`t afford the doctors fees for all the testing that needs to be done every year. I wish you luck in finding a donor soon. Hopefully your sister will be a match.
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User Rank: Intermediate
Joined: 10/7/2008
Posts: 116
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This is a very unfortunate thing to happen. I would take your advice of a check up once a year. I think precautions are necessary even if we feel healthy.
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User Rank: Newbie
Joined: 10/3/2008
Posts: 22
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I hope all goes well with you and that your sister's kidneys match.
People think that if you eat right, maintain your weight, and exercise you will never get sick. This is so not true. Everyone has to see doctors, take the appropriate tests, and not count on the fact that just because they look healthy that they actually are healthy. You never really know what is happening.
I wish you all the best.
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User Rank: Administrator
Joined: 10/19/2006
Posts: 63
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The blood & tissue results came back last week, my sister is a match. That being said there are still a few hoops to go through. I meet with surgeons this week and she has to have a MRI done on Dec 3rd.
Needless to say it does make me very nervous as if something went wrong I could never forgive myself. She says that since here kids are pretty much done school and mine are just starting, I got to look long term at this.
The reality is I still hope this is a just a bad dream and one day my kidneys will get back to work. My doctor is not so optimistic. According to him its not a matter of "if" I will need a transplant, but "when".
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User Rank: Intermediate
Joined: 10/3/2008
Posts: 128
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I'm sure your sister thought about the possibilities. She obviously loves you and wants to do this for you. Congratulations on her being a match and my prayers are with all of you!
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User Rank: Moderator
Joined: 9/24/2008
Posts: 279
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This is what I mean when I say, family is important. When it comes to a crisis, they are the ones we turn to.
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User Rank: Intermediate
Joined: 9/24/2008
Posts: 199
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That is so generous of your sister to do that. Her reason makes a lot of sense. Your kids are still young so they need you to be around much longer. Accept it graciously. I'm sure she'll need you one day, and you'll only be glad to help out. Keep us posted.
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User Rank: Intermediate
Joined: 10/22/2008
Posts: 159
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Hope all works out. Excellent news there's a possible match! On the subject of kidneys I wanted to mention something too that many aren't aware of. Some families - mine is one - have genetically some family members born with one kidney. I had never heard of this until about 3-4 years ago my mom was in the hospital and a kidney problem - testing was done and she was operating on one kidney but had never had surgery to have the other removed. It was then found a grandmother also had one kidney - and on checking it out we found out it's not as uncommon as we think. In this case it seems to go to the women in the family and is - in cases like David's - a much different picture if one has trouble and it's the only one. It's odd the things we take for granted.
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User Rank: Moderator
Joined: 9/24/2008
Posts: 279
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Wow, Jan, you shared something that I wasn't aware of. I always thought that people were born with a pair. Would be interesting to find out why some people are born with only one.
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User Rank: Intermediate
Joined: 10/22/2008
Posts: 159
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From what we've been able to find out (little) it's a genetic issue but can skip a generation or, as in my family, go to just the women. I don't know why and had never heard of that until about 4 years ago. We assume we have all the parts!
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User Rank: Administrator
Joined: 10/19/2006
Posts: 63
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Well its April 8th, I just went though a kidney tranplant here in Calgary... all went well. After only a few hours I was up and walking and was rewarded with a jello. Tonight I got to eat some pasta and mashed potatoes.
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User Rank: Newbie
Joined: 3/2/2009
Posts: 19
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Dont forget- you were also rewarded with life and a New (or gently used) kidney! 
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User Rank: Administrator
Joined: 10/19/2006
Posts: 63
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Needless to say I want to say thanks for all the good wishes. The kidney transplant went well and I am feeling great.
A couple weeks ago I did end up back in the hospital when I caught 'strep', but after a 5 days in there they let me go home.
Energy wise I am back to about 90% and have had little problems adjusting to the new meds
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