Full Circle

In March of 2006, my initial post in the blogger-sphere was prompted by a then-recent diagnosis of kidney disease. The doctors, at the time, had not performed a biopsy but suspected due to family history and my presenting symptoms some form of familial nephritis. The initial prognosis, without actual facts to indicate the level of my kidney function, were grim. 

After in-depth study of my family history, a biopsy performed in May of 2006, and genetic testing results I received only last week, my woes are less severe than initially thought. I have low-grade IgA Nephropathy. Only 25% of patients with IgA develop end-stage renal disease, and based on my current kidney function (which is within the normal population's range) three specialists doubt I'll ever reach the point where a kidney transplant will be necessary. And since I've begun to take greater care of my health via exercise my prognosis has markedly improved. 

Genetic testing finally answered the only question that loomed: whether I was a carrier for Alport's Syndrome. The Syndrome runs in my family, and there were indicators in my biopsy that suggested it as a possibility. Because Alport's Syndrome is more destructive, and carried on the X-Chromosome, the diagnosis would have meant more headache should the universe decide to bestow upon me the gift of having children. By that I mean the responsible option would have been to engage in costly in vitro and to select for only females. I was, therefore, greatly relieved when the doctor called on Monday to deliver the fantastic news that I am not a carrier of Alport's Syndrome. 

So, what does it mean for me? Reproductively I'm like any other woman. I think this is an issue many folks can't quite appreciate unless they are faced with similar problems (infertility, etc.) of their own. 

What impact will this have on my blog? I'm tempted to halt the practice altogether. Since I started to blog when I received the initial kidney news it seems like an apt way to end the exercise. I'm not, however, ready to commit to an absolute ending yet. But, I am prepared to take a hiatus for a while. How long? Maybe forever, maybe be a week, maybe a couple of months, or only a couple of days. I'm not sure. But the timing seems right, and besides, I have plenty of resolutions to focus on. 

Blogging has served may varied and great purposes in my life during the years of 2006, 2007, 2008, and a small portion of 2009. I'll return when I return --- or not. My heart and brain will determine whether I start again.