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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2003-03-12, Page 6PAGE 6. THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2003. Sympathetic companion Laurie Finch of Walton snuggles with her faithful friend who senses when Laurie is having a difficult day and often comes to curl up beside her. (Janice Becker photo) March Kidney Month Walton woman lives with genetie kidney disorder By Janice Becker Citizen staff “I am young, but I am dragging around ail old body.” Laurie Finch of Walton, had been dealing with the impacts of polycystic kidney disease (PKD) for more than 20 years. After discovering a lump on her abdomen, at the age of 14, her mother took her to the doctor, but it took two years before she had a diagnosis. That floating kidney resulted in a breakthrough not only for Finch, but for her mother as well, who had suffered “horrible migraines” and other discomforts for years. With both women ill, the doctors began suspecting kidney problems and searched the family history. Ultrasounds were done and the kidney abnormalities discovered. Not only was Finch diagnosed with PKD, but one kidney is “floating”. The kioneys are housed in sacs in the lower back. One of Crisis may be averted Continued from page 1 to subsidize special education programs. By mid-April, however, the crisis may be averted by a possible ahead- of-schedule overhaul of special education funding. Education officials refer to this as “going live” - providing funding immediately after students are shown to qualify, instead of waiting until the next budget year - and was recommended as an immediate measure in the Rozanski Report. The government initially suggested it would happen in the fall of 2003, but Westley says recent indications are that “going live” could happen by mid-April. Support for teachers in such areas as special education is one of the Finch’s migrated to the front of her abdomen and that was what she had found as a teen. The family learned that PKD is a genetic disorder which can be passed from either parent to their offspring. Of the five children in Laurie’s family, it is known that at least two have the disease. The disease manifests itself through cysts (fluid-filled sacs) growing on or in the kidney as well as enlarging it. It can also attack other organs such as the liver as was the situation in Finch’s mother’s case. “A normal kidney should be about the size of your fist,” says Finch. “Mine is the size of a football. I have one cyst the size of a grapefruit. That kidney is so large it pushes out my ribcage.” Because of the enlarged kidney, Finch has great difficulty digesting food as pressure is created on other organs. Finch must also watch her salt intake and regulate her high blood issues Huzar has cited as a possible stumbling point in teacher negotiations. Westley, however, suggests the special education considerations “are not a huge issue on the negotiating table.” GRANT GNAY Certified General Accountant Accounting & Tax Services 93 Wolfe St. Goderich 524-5113 pressure, another symptom, as allowing it to go out of control would further damage her kidneys. “I get a lot of muscle cramps. Even stirring a pot on the stove gives me awesome cramps. It is the worst you can imagine.” Finch must also monitor her iron intake and PKD has left her anemic. However, too much iron could create other difficulties for her digestive system. “Some days I am just so tired that by the time I get up, shower, wash and dry my hair, I am done for the day,” she says. She has also noticed other changes. Because the kidneys produce hormones, she says her hair is getting curlier. She is “horribly itchy” on her back, suffers severe heartburn, has yellowing skin and there is pain from the cysts and enlarged organs. “I may look healthy sometimes, but I am not. I have no energy to do anything.” The constant discomfort also affects her mood as she openly admits to being grumpy. “I am usually in some pain all the time. Mental and physical health go together.” She smiles when she says she sometimes just stops and takes note that, at this moment, there is no pain, a rarity for her. However, she says, she often takes those opportunities to do a little extra around the house because she feels good, but she must suffer the consequences of over-exertion afterwards. Program aids new Becoming a parent can be an exhilerating, yet somewhat scary time. Parents want to do what’s best for their baby, to ensure health and happiness. The Huron County Health Unit, Ontario Early Years and Huron-Perth Centre are offering an eight-week program called Right From the Start to help parents learn more about the special bond they have with their child. Beginning March 25 the program is designed for parents with infants | 2003 BUSINESS REVIEWS “Information Directory” “One Stop Shopping For The BEST Mortgage Rates” 46 O^troilblin 345-2293 Email:maxumoney@aol.com 1-800-243-0553 FINANCIAL SERVICES Buying a home is probably one of the largest financial decisions you will ever undertake. But shopping for and arranging a mortgage can create so much stress that you have little time to really enjoy such a major event in your life. Bringing in the right experts at the right time will ensure your real estate transaction goes smoothly. A mortgage broker like CREATIVE FINANCIAL SERVICES will find you the best mortgage product, at the best rate. CREATIVE FINANCIAL SERVICES eliminate your need to shop for a mortgage by making all the best rates available to you at one stop. Their consultants have a wealth of knowledge and experience to find the mortgage that best suits your needs. 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They also have access to multiple private lenders who may assist in your financing needs. Why should you use CREATIVE FINANCIAL SERVICES? The answer is simple - to save money. If you have a mortgage coming up for renewal or are thinking of refinancing, call CREATIVE FINANCIAL SERVICES to review your individual situation. “I can’t let myself get behind (on household chores) because I don’t know how I will feel tomorrow or if I will be in the hospital.” The stress on her body has also affected her ability to think through problems. Her husband Paul is currently learning to pay the bills and do the bookwork. “I am getting too forgetful,” she says. Finch says her husband has had to pick up the slack wherever he can and has been a great help to her. Finch has not worked since last June because it had become too difficult. “I used to hide the fact that I had PKD because I have lost jobs because of it.” However, by early 2002, it was becoming harder for her to hide the problems. “(My) kidney function had fluctuated all my life, but by last January it started to go downhill,” she says. “My kidneys are very near to compete failure,” says Finch. “They are not cleaning out the poisons.” Finch tries to eat healthily and drink lots of fluids. For now, the only treatment for PKD is dialysis or a transplant. Finch has not yet reached the point where dialysis is required, but feels her strength ebbing away and fears it may begin soon. Not yet 40, she says PKD sufferers usually see a decline by 45. However, her brother, who is seven years older, is still holding his own. Her mother passed away at 58 while waiting for a transplant for almost four years, though other factors and toddlers up to the age of two. Held at the Huron Ontario Early Years Centre, Jacob Memorial Centre, London Road in Clinton, the sessions are held Tuesday, morning from 10 a.m. until noon. Parents will learn to interact with their babies to help them develop to the best of their potential. The course uses videotape segments, problem solving, discussions and skill-building exercises. Group leaders, Michelle Elliott, contributed to her death. According to the Kidney Foundation of Canada, treatment is required when there is less than 15 per cent of kidney function. Only one in six PKD sufferers will have kidney failure and many are not affected until later in life. Dialysis treatment works well with PKD patients. Finch has already begun the necessary testing and filling out the stacks of paperwork required before a transplant can take place. “They check everything to make sure nothing else could cause problems. Only then do you get put on the list. If you get sick you go to the bottom of the list. You have to be healthy enough to get the transplant, but sick enough to need it.” While some are lucky enough to get a transplant within months, others have longer waits. Because Finch has no family members who match, finding a non-relative match may make her search that much more difficult. While she waits, Finch hopes she can get a dialysis machine in her home if that time comes, rather than having to travel to London three times a week for the four-hour treatment. Though she has struggled for much of her life to keep up with others, Finch continues to battle the disease that has afflicted her family. Anyone wishing more information about kidney disease or becoming a kidney donor can call the Kidney Foundation of Canada in Kitchener at 1-800-667-3597. parents MSW, RSW and Marilyn King, RN, BScN, will guide parents to work together on solutions to parenting challenge. Ideas will be shared and concerns discussed. Elliott says that while it is preferred parents arrange for someone to care for their child during the course, there is a free child-care service on the site when such arrangements are impossible. There is no cost to the course. To register call the Early Years Centre at 519-482-8505.