Hello fellow survivors!

I was a diabetic for 43 years, beginning when I was 10, and then everything began to falter and fail. I had a heart attack, kidney failure and was told dialysis or die...I chose to die, as I had watched my sister on dialysis for 12 years suffer and finally die at 50. She had gone thru years of diabetic treatment, and suffered multiple heart attacks, and 6 amputations before dying a painful death. I chose to go out on my terms. A great nephrologist came into my life, Dr. Michael Grant, and convinced me he could help, if given the chance. 2 years of dialysis, and a heart re-build, and then on May 21, 2009 came the call that would give me my life again!
Here I am today, a volunteer spokesman for the ADA, studying in college to become a counselor with the goal of helping other with diabetic, kidney, heart problems, dialysis and  transplants life. I am in contact with my diabetic doctors still, and am looking to volunteer with their organization soon.

This site is GREAT, and I have contacted my transplant team on Saturday, 11/18/10 with the idea of including the online address of this site in the packet they give out to all transplant recipients on release from Research Medical Center, located in Kansas City, Mo.

I play guitar and have been in a number of bands as either a part of the group, or as the front man in the last 2. I now pursue a solo course, writing songs and performing percussive electric guitar, doing blues, and a unique poetry in music Americana. I am searching to write a song about life before and after transplant. My profile picture was taken about March of 2008, while I was on dialysis, and about a year from the miracle of renewed life!

I enjoy all the posts on here, and commend the group that started and maintains this organization. I believe this is a wonderful idea and concept of furthering medical research and tying it to us in the real world!

Check out my profile and send a personal message to me if you wish. I enjoy talking to all who have weathered the storms that have besieged us.

My best regards to all,

Willie D Bluesman, aka Bill