After reading several stories recently about individuals on dialysis and their different methods of seeking a kidney transplant, I have decided to join the growing crowd. So I am modifying my blog, which I started as a series of stories about my kids when they were little. Then, over the last three years, my blog has drifted to focus entirely on me. And my kidneys.
I have gone through three years of transplant testing and during that process, it was discovered that I had a tiny spot of cancer in my left kidney. Eventually, I had both kidneys removed because they were so large (18 pounds total).
I have been on dialysis for three and a half years, starting in September of 2009. I lost my job as a result two months later. Since then, it has been almost a full-time job just to balance my weight, the fluid I consume, my blood pressure medications. It's a rollercoaster. I will have a couple weeks, where everything is just right. And then something will tilt and I'll have extra weight or higher blood pressure or my blood pressure will crash. Then I'll spend a few weeks adjusting my weight again, adjusting how much fluid is removed during dialysis, and how low my blood pressure is when I end my session. And finally, again, I'll reach a point where I think, this is just right. But Murphy's Law prevails. And none of us (my seatmates) is exempt.
So - this blog is slightly revamped now. We'll see how this goes.
