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Trisha is our third Fitness Grant Recipient.

My name is Trisha and I am 30 years old. I have been on dialysis for almost 4 years now. I live in Albuquerque, New Mexico with my husband, Adam, and our daughter, Catie. We have three dogs, Samantha, Sara, and Farley – we also have a fish named Sam.

Let me start by saying that I had no idea I was even the slightest bit ill until I went for my yearly checkup in July of 2001. It took two months for me to finally be able to see a kidney doctor and by that time I was starting to gain weight, which I later found out was almost all fluid gain. I will never forget the day everything happened – it was, ironically, September 11, 2001. I went for an ultra sound of my kidneys. The very next day I was in the hospital for a biopsy. I found out that I didn’t have Lupis like doctors thought but I only had about 10% kidney function. All-in-all, not the best news, but it could have been worse. Naturally I was given all of my options and I originally decided to do home dialysis through a PD catheter but because of complications I was forced to start hemo dialysis. That was almost 4 years ago and I feel that, except for an adjustment period, my family and I have come to regard dialysis as just another part of the schedule. I have applied for the fitness grant because even though I don’t feel like dialysis has slowed me down too much, I have noticed that I do have a harder time keeping up with my daughter than I used to. Also, I have noticed that I have lost quite a bit of the muscle that I used to have. I also think that just because I have kidney failure there is no reason to let it define me – kidney failure is what I have, not who I am.

An update from Trisha

I thought I would take a few minutes to write you and give an update on everything that is going on here. Let me see, I have been going to the gym for about two months now, and I have become one of those people that I used to make fun of for always going to the gym. I’m not sure when it happened, but now I LOVE to go and work out, crazy but true. A couple of weeks ago I decided to take part in the upcoming marathon for the New Mexico Cancer Society in October. I am really looking forward to participating. I know that my doctors are excited for me. Also because of the fitness grant I am able to work out with a personal trainer, her name is Kay Garza and she is wonderful. I couldn’t have done any of this with out her, so I want to send a big THANK YOU out to you Shad.
A couple of weeks ago I decided to go back to work. I got a job as a server in an up-scale restaurant, and I have to say I feel great. I think that it is a combination of getting back into shape and deciding that I still have something to contribute. I now have an extremely packed schedule, it is taking some juggling, but I have the support of my family and friends and I would be lost with out them.
I think that about does it for now, so I will keep you posted on my progress and I will send some pictures from the marathon. Thanks again for everything.

An update from Trisha ‘05

Hey Shad

I thought I should write and let you know how the marathon went. I know that the marathon was about a month ago, but I have been a busy gal. I wound up having to do the 5K walk because my hemoglobin was really low and I
had no energy(and anyone on dialysis knows how much that SUCKS!!!). I was so excited to even finish that it didn’t matter, I had a great time. I got my standings the next week. Out of 300 I finished 130 out of the women and 180
overall, not to bad for a first timer, but I fully intend to finish a lot higher next year.

I am still working and the owners are talking about putting me into management, how awesome is that!!!. It is safe to say that I work all the time. I really like the fact that even though I am sick (so to speak)someone gave me a chance and I think it has worked out really wonderful.

As far as the gym ,I LOVE TO WORK OUT, I never miss. I have even begun to see the pay off for all of the work I have been doing, I think everyone should go to the gym, but that’s just me.

Well that’s all for now, I will send a picture from the marathon as soon as I remember to get them developed(ha! ha!). More later, take care

Trisha

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