Hey everyone. I apologize again for posting so little on here. I get distracted with life and need to put out what’s going on more often. Especially knowing people in my hometown of Elgin are finding it and calling and asking for advice. That was the purpose of this site is to do outreach and I’ve been doing that constantly over the last year. Especially the last 8 or 9 months. So even if it took years and years I’m glad this website is taking off a bit more and hopefully people will still read all this even after I’m gone. I am looking into a publishing route to have at least my basic story put out on paper to reach even more folks who need it. I told myself when I was a teenager even that my biggest gift is writing and my dream would be to share my story everywhere just to let folks know they aren’t alone.
The great thing about 2026 vs the 90’s or even 00’s is that nowadays you can get online on a social media platform and look for advice and help. And there is so many groups lemme tell ya. And my nephrologist even brought this point up when I was talking about founding a group in my area for support. He stated how that’s why it’s hard for people to even find matches online even is because there’s so much fragmentation among the groups. But I’m slowly going to change that I feel. Just like I’m on the verge of getting my hometown to build a clinic or place that people can get labs at a minimum, maybe even have a Dr and small dialysis clinic here in Elgin. My town doesn’t seem to want to expand beyond building hundreds of new housing units but with all that growth hopefully I can get enough people to sign on and help me get that started.
Speaking of my town, I’ve had a few people who live here asking for help and advice and that makes me feel so amazing. It gives me purpose considering I’m almost always alone, it’s nice to break up the quiet with helping folks. It makes me feel great to set someone up with a nephrologist, or helping out a mother with a kiddo who needs a pediatric nephrologist. Those are just a couple things I’ve done and I truly feel like I’m at least making some difference. Hell, most people don’t even pursue their dreams. And one thing that stuck with me from a psychiatrist appointment was that I had always stated that as long as I help 1 person that this website is worth my time and money. And I’ve done much more than that and I’m honestly proud of the growth I’ve experienced in the last few years. I just have to keep the ball rolling and keep up what I do.
As far as what has changed in the last 8 months many great things have happened. I’ve changed my diet and exercise routine and went from190 to 170lbs. I’ve started to help many folks online through social media (which is why I’m not on here enough) and have met many other people looking for support. I graduated from therapy. Someone I’ve followed for a long time try to find a transplant finally got hers this month. I’m beyond happy about that. I honestly can’t believe I never posted about it on here but in September I celebrated 10 years with my second transplant. And all in all things are okay and I’m happy with anything less than disaster at this point.
A few things haven’t gone as well either as is most things in life. My prograf levels are all over the place, I’m trying different doses of Envarsus which is a form of prograf. Tomorrow I’ll be getting follow up labs from 2 weeks ago. My creatnine won’t seem to get lower that 1.8 which I’m not happy about. Even though I finished therapy I still deal with PTSD and the occasional panic attack. I’m still waiting on a service dog so that I have someone, something there for me when I go through all that stuff. Even for my anxiety it’d be nice to have something around to help me out occasionally. But I know one day I’ll have all that figured out and it’ll be okay. Here’s hoping my labs come out better and I don’t have to worry too much about it.
Other than all that I’d like to say to anyone reading this that I’m always there to talk to anyone or help them through similar stuff. I’ve been referred to as a kidney Dr and while I wish I was for the pay alone I’m not, but I am a person with a story so unique you’ll probably never see another like me. My phone is always on day and night for anyone anywhere dealing with the stress and hell that comes with either being a transplant recipient yourself, or providing care for another in the same boat. I know it’s not easy but if I can do it anyone can. If I can grow as much as I have in the last few years, than you guys can handle just about anything. But for those times where it is hard, you can always reach out through a call or text or message and I’ll always respond. I’ll be sure to update everyone on my kidney soon and until then thank you so very much to everyone who’s reading. I wouldn’t be who I am without my support group.