My Kidney Story

The first time I really experienced the full scope of kidney illnesses I was 19.  I passed my first large stone accompanied by an infection.  I was in college, and had no idea what was going on, it wasn’t until a CT and sonar scan that we found the many stones in my kidneys as well as the remnants of the stone that had just passed.  This was the beginning of awareness; however not the beginning of truly understanding what my body was going through, or the path that lay ahead.

In my early 20’s another bout of hospital stay occurred, but with out an understanding to elevate the understanding that I had a chronic kidney illness to treat, I had no follow up to my first stone, and that delayed effective treatment for the second and prolonged the opportunity for infections.

In my later 20’s things changed, at 28 I had my first blood infection accompanied by a large kidney stone passing that resulted in nearly a month in the hospital, surgery, a stint, and a long experimental follow up of trial and error.  I worked with the specialists at Northwestern Medical Center to go through every elimination diet, analysis of different things in my system, and every angle they could assess.  To no avail, for the next 6 years I was in and out of hospitals with what I jokingly call “hospital stay-cations”, in which I was hospitalized for about 10 days a year with blood and kidney infections along with passing stones.

Regardless of the stones and infections, I led a relatively healthy lifestyle with working out very regularly and eating pretty balanced, but in light of the treatment plans and information I found on the NKFI website, I  made modifications to both diet and working out. 

I found SoulCycle in 2015, it was a workout that allowed me to not only challenge myself aerobically but also allowed me to have a standard workout that didn’t allow me to overwork my body.  I modified my diet and went gluten free as well as lowered my overall iron intake with foods like spinach and red meats.  There is no rhyme or reason, but this formula has worked for me for 8 years now.

2021 was a banner year in more than one way. First, it was our 5th annual ride challenge and a goal I never knew could be reached. And, it was the first year in which I had not had to have IV anti-biotics and or to have had a blood infection.  That is something to celebrate!

2024 brings about the opportunity to connect in so many more ways, to celebrate health and knowledge of how to step forward on the journey in strength, to share the education and foundation that can support so many people and their own healthy journeys.

While there was a small set back this year, with an infection and IV treatment needed,  the future is bright!  All things can be treated and a healthy lifestyle is a big part of it. Just staying diligent in taking charge of my well-being, my heart, my soul, and continuing to step forward.

As I turn 42 this year, I celebrate finding a balance in my health journey and the adventures that are yet to come!