Dreams do come true..

In 1974, and at the age of 12 , I was diagnosed with diabetes.Both of my grandmothers had it , so the odds of me getting it were pretty good.My mother noticed that I was drinking alot of water, and losing weight.She to took me to a doctor and I had a blood test that confirmed her suspicions.I was to stay for three weeks in the hospital until my sugar was regulated.I learned how to use the insulin injections and that was part of my life.

In about ten years, after my first diagnosis , I went to a routine eye doctor.He told me that I had bleeding in the back vessels of my eyes.He refered me to a specialist.After tests , the specialist told me that I had diabetic retinopathy. He said that I must have laser surgery to seal the vessels and stop the bleeding, which I did.In the next years , the doctor performed many laser surgery to my eyes.

In November of 1986, I started to feel swelling in my legs and feet.My family doctor said that this was because the high blood pressure and he referred me to a nephrologist ( the kidney's doctor ).The nephrologist said that it was one of my kidney, and it would be a wacth-and-wait for that time being.In September of 1991, my kidney function decreased and I had to start dialysis.I chose peritoneal dialysis to hemodialysis.I had to work, and thought that my choice would best accomodate my schedule at home.
I used a machine called a cycler, that could work while I was a sleep.That was going pretty well.The hardest time was when I had to work full-time ; I had to start my dialysis at around 7:30 or 8:00 and woke up the following morning to start work.But , the weekends were much better that I could sleep enough and had time during the night.I am fortunate to have the most wonderful and loving husband in the world.He was with me through this, and helped me set up the machine.As you see , it's not the patient who has to sacrifice, but it affects tha family as well.

The original story by Lori, [email protected]




Ok , I can't do more .I shall continue later , sorry