One Year of Dialysis

Well it's official. I've been on dialysis for a little over a year now. I'm thankful that there is something that can keep me well enough to continue with most things. The worst is being forced to a contained spot so early at night and traveling with that machine. For the most part it isn't horrible. Some nights my legs cramp (today I'm hurting everywhere) and I struggle to sleep, but I can live with that. I know I've been so lucky. I finished all the yearly tests that are needed for the organ list....never would I have ever thought that I would need an organ. Everything has come back ok. I'm struggling a little more during show times to keep my nutrients correct, but so far nothing has been completely out of the range it should be and usually we can pinpoint why it has risen. Overall, I'm just exhausted and find I have limits---especially with lifting and moving to much. Still kicking life's butt though. Since the last time I posted, I've traveled 3 times with my machine and supplies. Thankfully this time all driving. The supplies take up my entire trunk. I did figure out I really need help moving the machine case in and out of my car....it's so heavy. I thought I broke it in January when I left it in the car to long in the cold....oops. Thankfully I did not. Unfortunately I do fear my kidneys are getting worse so for spring break my daughter and I went on a 'Safari' in Oklahoma. I got paid for my festival work for the first time and we used part of that money for the trip. I'm a little afraid I'm going to get to a point where I can't do as much with her and she is such a good kid that helps me out. We visited 7 animals places in 3 days. Almost everything was interactive so we got to feed foxes, play with wolves, hold a skunk and possum, hold a fenneck fox and feed bats. There was so much more. I chose to stay in the same hotel during our stay and drive to all the places so we didn't have to tear down the machine everyday. We did a good amount of driving, but it was so much fun. My daughter's favorite was the wild mustang horse ranch. It was pretty cool. New goal - own lots of land with wild mustangs and a wildlife refuge. I'm doing rehearsals after school till the last two weeks of them for our spring show and that has helped a lot. Poor dog home for so long.

I'm still awaiting a transplant and still hoping a live donor comes forward. And still praying it happens in the summer....I don't think we would survive without my work pay. I'm so glad to have a study income and a place to live and the ability to still survive. Please continue to pray for me (and my little- as she doesn't always understand when I can't do something) I appreciate you all.