Hi, Terrigrrl! I'm a recent stage 3 also-- 29-30%% functioning on both sides-- and my disease was also medication induced. I was normal on Dec 10, 2006 and in kidney failure Dec 11, 2006 thanks to a gastroenterologist who had me take Fleets prior to my routine colonoscopy-- which you should not do when the patient is also taking a certain med for hypertension. So I completely understand when you talk about having a lot to absorb! The kidney diet is a drag (my husband calls it the "white bread, carrots, and canned fruit diet). Since you are a vegetarian, probably one of your big challenges will be to CUT OUT some vegies. I was shocked at how many vegies and fruits are contra-indicated for those of us with CKD. (ususally due to too much potassium). Also, make sure your nephrologist knows about all your supplements-- many of those can further harm a damaged kidney. Do you also have anemia-- many of us (like 47%) have it with kidney failure. I take injections of aranesp which do help give me more energy.Anyway, it is quite an interesting change in one's self-perception, I agree! Hang in there and keep posting. In my short time on this board (since March) I have found it to be full of really great, supportive people, and I've learned a lot. Annette

Hi, All! I haven't had one of those lasx tests yet, and I sure don't want one!! 2plus, you must have nearly come off the examing table when the doc asked you why you wanted to take the risk! It must have been SO discouraging and infuriating. What does he see as the risk-- other than the usual risks of surgery?
I'm a little pooped today-- they tried to lower my dosage of Aranesp, and I can feel that my hematocrit level has dropped. My arms and leg feel too heavy for my body. Sorry to hear you're out on comp, Allie. I manage to work the long hours because, since I'm a psychologist, I'm mainly sitting on my derriere all day-- it's more a mental/ emotional strain. When I first got out of the hospital, I had to rearrange my schedule to see 2 or 3 people in a row, then take a 2 hr nap, then repeat a couple of times before going home. Now that I'm on the injections, I can usually make it thru with only a 40 min or so nap at lunch-- good thing I'm a psychologist, at least I have a couch to lie on (please note: I'm a psychologist but NOT a psychoanalyst!). I think I'm extra pooped from yesterday because I saw 10 people in a row without a break. I felt like I weighed a ton when I got up this morning-- it was hard to drag myself in. Plus,one of my cats (Suzy, the one with kidney disease) has been sick, so i've been up at night tending to her. After writing this, I'm getting the house ready for the housekeeper tomorrow, and then it's an early bedtime for me. I'm the old lady on this board-- all you guys are YOUNG! I'm 54!! :eek: How did ThAT happen! (You'd think if I have to be old, at least I could be post-menopause, but oh no, I still get to deal with that, too!) Both of my kids are out of the house (21 and 19 years old); I really feel for you trying to be a good parent while struggling with pain and fatigue. I could feel myself struggling when my younger daughter was home a few weeks ago for surgery; don't know how you manage on an on-going basis. Anyway, thanks for the update, guys. I always look forward to hearing how you're doing. Annette