My name is Marcial Evertsen form Elko, NV and I am 20 years old. I have been on the forum for a couple of years now. In January of 2001, I was diagnosed with a form of kidney disease called FSGS. In March of this year my kidneys failed, and I ended up on dialysis. Up until that time, I was doing good, and could lead a pretty much normal life. When I started dialysis I was not put on the transplant list initailly, waiting for my uncle to do workup, and for varius reasons, they would not let him donate. I could still do things I enjoyed, camping, hiking, etc. Now I am on the transplant list, and so I cannot go where I don' t have cell phone reception. I was doing fine reloading and shooting at the range, but going into the mountains was out of the question. Two days ago I got a fistula put in my arm so now even shooting is out of the question for at least 6 weeks.

I was wondering if anybody here has been through, is going through the same things I am or has recieved a transplant, that enjoys the outdoors as much as I do. I don' t want people to feel sorry for me, but I would like to know what other people have done to cope with kidney or any other disease. It completely changes your life and I would like to know what other people did.

Thank you,
Marcial Evertsen

Charlie Brown,

I am so sorry to hear of your condition. I wish you well in the future, hang in there and you will be OK. I am replying just to let you know that I have a friend that is in his seventies and he is on dialysis. He is not on a transplant list yet by choice. He is considering a nephew whom offered to test and donate to him. Anyhow, he is in dialysis 2 times a week and still manages to run his English Springer Spaniels in AKC field Trials. There is hope, keep up your spirits and continue to enjoy what you can.

Bob
(OhioDuckHunter)