Looking to connect with other students who have CKD

[elb22]

Hello! I graduated from college this May and I'm preparing to start a creative career in marketing and design. But first I need a transplant. It's been about 6 years since my diagnosis and it would have been nice to be connected with other students who are managing kidney disease and school. It hasn't been an easy journey and I've felt particularly alone navigating a disease where most patients I know are middle-aged or older. I'm curious to know if there are other students in this online community who are seeking to connect with peers with CKD. Let's chat about how you balance getting dialysis / transplant with school, friendships and relationships, and getting a job. Based on my own experience, I'm conducting some exploratory research to better understand the needs of young adult kidney patients. Please don't hesitate to respond to this post!

[Hidden]

Who says you need a transplant? What stage are you? What is your pH? Don't tell anyone, you'll scare them off. If you blabber mouth, just who do you think will hire you? You can't get life or medical insurance. You may live a long time if you take care of yourself. No red meat, alcohol or tobacco. Be moderate with exercise. Don't get stupid with body building . I'm 84, stage 4 ADPKD, and still going, not on dialysis. I finally quit work last year for the third time and have a master's degree.

[KidneyMo]

I'm a current student and went on dialysis and transplant while in college and I agree - it would've been nicer to have people closer to my age to talk to. Feel free to ever message me if you have questions about transplant or anything kidney related and best of luck!!

[Kbristow]

Hi elb22. The National Kidney Foundation has a Peers program which connects patients with other kidney patients who've been there, and they're not necessarily older. You can ask if they have a peer who is a young adult/college aged. You can get more information about the NKF Peers program at kidney.org/patients/peers. Best wishes!

[Hidden in reply to Kbristow]

These days, just who is not college aged? Raising family (s), it took me 43 years to get my masters. My neighbor has 4 children (her youngest is 10) and a husband. She went back to school to get her bachelors. Two years after she got it, she is managing three restaurants. My youngest daughter is in her thirties and she is back to school, earned her associate degree, is now in the Univ of Seattle as an honor society student, working full time and one year to go for her bachelors. She has a 50/50 chance of not having ADPKD.

[Pinkpeppermint92]

Hi I'm also a student to and a mom so I know how hard it can be.