When Formspring launched I created an account and started answering random questions from both my virtual (and IRL) friends and anonymous strangers. After a little while I forgot about Formspring until recently when a new conversation sparked. Over the last few weeks I've received a few really good questions that resulted in blog-worthy answers. The following first of two posts sums up, in a nutshell, my general philosophy about life (and living!) with less-than-perfect kidneys.

#MyKidney biopsy results = I've physically lost 25% of healthy kidney tissue in my transplanted graft due to scarring from an as yet still unidentified cause.

The only knowns are that 1) my original kidney disease (FSGS) does not appear to be re-occurring at this time; 2) there is no evidence of acute rejection, but 3) the damage could be the result of an on-going "chronic rejection".

I'm 2 years post-renal transplant. I've had no kidney complications, but I get bloodwork and see my doctor routinely every 1-2 months to monitor my health.

Three weeks ago during routine bloodwork, my serum (blood) creatinine level (a measure of kidney function) went from a very stable 1.0 (normal for me) to 1.4-1.5 (abnormal for me) indicating a problem.

On June 11, 2007 around 10:30 am my brother and I were in adjacent operating rooms. He was giving me the gift of life: one of his kidneys.

Two years have certainly flown by quite quickly - many changes, yet life still remains as mysterious and confusing as ever. Having a functioning kidney has allowed me much more freedom to LIVE, but I'm still figuring out my place in the world... then again, aren't we all?