The Adventures of Kidney Boy

A Journal About Living With End Stage Renal Disease. Dialysis. Transplants. Love. Family. Friends. The Unsung Donor. This is my life, from the end of a needle to the bottom of a pill bottle.

Sunday, October 22, 2017

Catching Up

Well... it's been a while since I've written here.  I have to catch up!

We had a daughter join our family in April! It's been amazing, but very challenging to have two kids under the age of two.  Since I stay home and don't work in an office, I have taken on full time care of the kids.  It's been awesome - I like being a stay-at-home Dad.  It's been an experience.

I've had some health problems this year, though, and my kidney was damaged when I got sick a few months back.  My creatinine levels have risen - they are stable now, but much higher than I'd like and my kidney disease has worsened.  I've been severly anemic as well - I had a stint in the hospital and had to have a blood transfusion.  It's actually been rough. 

My business went under this year as well, so financially it's been hard to close the gap.  It's a common enough problem for people who don't have to deal with ESRD and Kidney Transplants, but we're getting by for now.  Problem is, I don't know for how long and the stress and anxiety are starting to get to me.

These are all just things one has to figure out in the course of living; being human is tough.  Honestly, I'm glad my kids are so great and that they're well provided for.  My wife has a good job, and she has great health insurance which not only is great for me, but more importantly, it's great for the kids.

I'll get through this - I've weathered so much for so many years, and I have the love and support of an amazing family.  But I can't deny that it's been a few dark months for me - and putting on a brave face and trying to remain happy in that can be tough.  It reminds me of the grimmest days we had when I was on dialysis.

I hope those of you out there reading this are doing well.  I hope those of you out there suffering from ESRD, complications from dialysis or transplants are managing.  I'm sending out all my well wishes to you - because I know what you put out into the world at large is what comes back to you.  I've been very fortunate in the past, and it's because of the amazing people around me.

Best,

~Steve