I wrote the following for another blog I have and then figured that I really wanted to also put it here under Medical. I am chronically ill and as anyone knows that is chronically ill it changes your life entirely. I had to learn how to live all over again because EVERYTHING changes and if I wanted to have a good life I had to learn how to change my mind.
I think I’ve done a fairly decent job. But there are certainly times that NOTHING is ok.
This illness TOOK my career. I was 31 at the time and career-wise I was ready for management positions. I loved what I did and have been sad about it ever since.
The following are the basics of my medical history.
Number one: I have a great attitude —> a good part of the time, especially when I am out and about.
Number two: when I am in a lousy attitude, I try to stay home!!
Number three: I’m hoping that others are gaining some kind of strength for themselves when they see me out and about or interact with me.
I had never been sick.
Then, the end of September ’81 I became deathly ill. Went to Duke Hospital (21/2 hours from home) and worked on trying to stay alive until the end of January ’82. I had acute hemmorghatic pancreatitis ... everything in my body failed. I turned 31 while I was there. The story is long and involved — But, here I am!!
Summer of ‘87 I went to have my blood sugar checked and found out that my kidneys were failing. I started dialysis August 4th. I had a kidney transplant (TX) November the 9th, 1993. It lasted a little more than five years. I should have never had it to begin with. I started dialysis again the end of January 1999. I am still doing that —> M, W, F afternoons, four hours on the machine each day.
Some of the best Nephrologists in the country are in this town. My doctor has the best personality and I get to tease and laugh with him which has made my dialysis journey MUCH easier and better.
Other “sideline” things: I’ve had a five-way bypass, I’ve had bypasses in both legs (what's called a fem-pop), I have arterial fibrulation (heart beats too fast) for which I had an ablation, I’ve had a pacemaker (which was recently tweeked and I feel significantly better and better), my right leg was amputated (for five years previous I thought I was not going to be able to deal with that and I have been quite surprised to realize that it has not bothered me at all). I also have a great heart doctor and have had really good surgeons. There is no fear like the fear of not being able to trust your doctors.
Of course, God has watched me and taken care of me all the way. My Big Truth: I have never one time been afraid.
And, ultimately, one MUST keep trucking, no matter what.
NOTE: If there is anything you would like to ask, please do.
