I am a seventy-one year old father of two adult children.  My wife and I take care of each other and we have done so for the past fifty years.  Literally our wedding anniversary was on June 15, 2007.  We had planned a large gathering and celebration, but my health has just been too bad.   I have two grandchildren Will and Lacy, who I think are wonderful and love spending time with.  My daughter is a nurse and my son works in the county school system.  When they were both very young I lost my right kidney from a stone that I had been carrying around for years, maybe birth in my right Ureter.  The right kidney atrophied from the blockage of that stone, and both stone and kidney had to be removed.  The stone was the size of a hen egg and my wife used to bring it out for a conversation piece. I have spent my entire life building homes for people, working with my father and his cousins. 

My parents died a few years ago at age 95 and 93.  My father was seldom sick and loved life more than anyone I have ever known. He took such pleasure in the simple things.  My mother finally gave up her fight with cancer at age 93 she had macular degeneration and underwent a mastectomy when she was in her eighties, but that really didn’t change her lifestyle.  Because my parents lived near me and did not drive. For my entire life I have taken care of them. Driving them to get their groceries do their banking pay their bills and maintain their home.  My life has always been about doing for others and now with this kidney failure I just don’t have the energy to do those things.  Until you have lost your ability to serve, as you have all of your life, you cannot understand how not having this ability makes you feel. There were always times when I would fuss about yard work or household repairs but now that my energy level is so low that I cannot do these things ……well it makes all the difference in my attitude toward life and living. I recently fell from the front porch of my home, trying to avoid a sudden down pour of rain. That fall impaired my physical abilities even more so than what has been occurring with the dialysis and anemia. I become very short of breath and my ability to rest and eat has diminished. I want to live as long as my father did and I want to have the quality of life he enjoyed.  I believe in the quotation for Shad Ireland in which it is stated “to live with a chronic illness is not a limitation but a special invitation to those who are willing to accept the challenge” I would like an opportunity to accept that challenge.    

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I began dialysis with Dr. Zeno in September of 2006 I have been grateful for my results.  I have been unable to be too active until now and can see how exercise can help. I live alone, but very close to my niece and her family, who help me a great deal. I love to shop and keep up with world events through news papers, magazines, ect…. My niece gave me a computer for Christmas, which I love I can check the  news and shop on it too…

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I would like to further my recovery from two open heart surgeries.  I would like to be able to exercise my polio legs with out falling over on my left side due to leg muscle atrophy and steroid induced left hip bone loss.  Crawling on the floor and out on to the porch is not enough.  With the use of a stable four wheel bike I will be able to get the much needed exercise, physically and emotionally this will help me.

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I had my first kidney infection in Jan 1987. My gynecologist diagnosed me with proteinuria and advised me to continue monitoring my kidney functions.  In 1994, I began an LPN and began working in dialysis.  I was followed by two Nephrologists over the years who were employed by the company I work for.  I gave birth to my son in 1999 with the risk of my kidneys failing.  He was a healthy baby boy who is now 7 years old.  In 2003, I was diagnosed with focalglomerularsclerosis.  My creatinine slowly creeped up over the years and my symptoms, excessive tiredness, low hgb and hct, lack of energy, low filtration rate, caused me to start dialysis in April 2007. I am still working as a dialysis nurse as much as my body allows and I am a pt at my clinic.  I must admit I am a model patient, I have seen both sides of the picture. Adjust the focus on the camera and get a new roll of film, I am just getting started.

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I was diagnosed with ESRD and began dialysis in October 2006. I have learned that due to my weight, I am unable to qualify for a transplant. Also due to weight and diabetic neuropathy I am unable to do normal aerobic exercises, and thus unable to reach the desired target weight. Before I became so ill I had started attending the water aerobic classes at the local rec center. It was something I was able to actually do and I did the exercises three times a week. My disease progressed and I had to stop going. Since I have started the dialysis, I find myself feeling so much better and would like to go back to the rec center and start water aerobics again.

My name is Paul. I am a 45 year old single male. I recently lost my kidneys in March of 2004 due to hypertension. Since then I have had to attend a clinic 3 times a week for 3 1⁄2 to 4 hours per treatment. These treatments can be rather draining. Over the years I find my self less active and a lot weaker. I used to be very active in work and play but now I don’t have much energy to do either. If you could help me regain my strength, energy and endurance it may help me to re-adjust to my new lifestyle and to help others.

My name is Jessica. I am 24 years old. I was born in Charleston, SC but lived mainly in NC and in TN. After graduating high school I enlisted in the US Coast Guard. About 2 1⁄2 years into my 6 year enlistment I was diagnosed with CKD. The actual disease was FSGS. All I could think was my career is over and my life is in for a big change. At that time I was medically retired out of the coastguard. I moved back to NC and a year later started on dialysis in 2005. The first year was terrifying and I didn’t know what to expect. Everyday something different went wrong. After that year things got better. My health was getting better. I have recently moved back to be near my father and family. I am attending an excellent dialysis clinic and want to achieve some of my goals. I would like to request help with a gym membership, in order to pursue my physical improvement goals.

My name is Robert Jr. I am 35 years old. I was born and raised in New Orleans, Louisiana. Now due to hurricane Katrina I am a resident of McMinnville, Tennessee. Married to Cindy for 12 years with no children. I am disabled due to medical reasons.