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This
is Stacey's Story
I was 8 when I was diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome I remember being at my cousin's confirmation party and playing outside with all of the other kids when I had to take my shoes off because they were cutting into my feet. I ran into the house to tell my mom and she instantly knew something was wrong as my entire face was puffy and my legs were swollen. I was fortunate that our family doctor was at the party. My mom instantly took me over to him. He had us immediately follow him to his office. While there, he made some phone calls and said that I was to be at University Hospital in Madison by 5:00 Monday morning. I was lucky as I received a diagnosis right away. I ended up spending nine days in the hospital and couldn't return to school right away.
When I could return to school, I could only go half-days. My grandmother would pick me up at 11:00 every morning and I would get to spend the rest of the day with her. On a brighter note, I cherish the quality time I got to spend with her because of my illness.
The thing I hated the most was being on Prednisone. That drug made me so hungry all of the time that my mother had to teach me how to cook so that I could get up in the middle of the night and make myself something to eat. The other thing that I hated was being on the salt-restrictive diet. My grandfather owned a cheese factory and would make me my own salt-free cheese curds – YUCK! But at least the thought was there. J When you have 2 other siblings that get to eat potato chips, regular cheese and regular ketchup it makes you a bit envious. My mom took care of that, though, and made them cut down on their salt intake, as well.
Initially, I had to go to monthly doctor appointments, then every 3 months, then every six months and eventually annually. I really stopped having problems with the illness when I was about 12. The doctor appointments came to an end when I was about 15. Apparently, the doctors had told my mother that I would most likely grow up to be inactive and, as a result, overweight. I decided to prove them wrong and was very active in sports growing up and was captain of the girls’ track team in high school.
I’m rather relieved that I do not remember too much more about when I was sick. I am now 34 years old and living proof that things can turn out okay.
Stacey
Scandinavia, WI |
