About a month and a half ago my life got a little more complicated. I took some information about some odd blood work done by my primary physician that indicated my kidneys may not be functioning properly to a Nephrologist (kidney doctor), got a Kidney Biopsy and confirmed that I have a common auto immune Kidney disease called IGA Nephropathy. It is an acute version called Crescentic IGA Nephropathy which just means it moves faster than the normal version.



I spent a week in the hospital because my kidneys had dipped below 13% functionality and I was put on Dialysis. I had four sessions over a week and then the catheter gave me a bloodstream infection for which I spent another week in the hospital.

Over that last week in the hospital with medication and that last bit of Dialysis my kidneys ‘stabilized’ at between 20-18% which is not good enough to be a functioning set of kidneys but not bad enough to be on Dialysis.

I’m currently on a super strict Low Sodium, Low Potassium, Low Phosphorus Diet that is pretty difficult but diet, and medication are the only things keeping me from this situation being more serious.

NEXT STEPS:

The Next Step is to get a transplant. I’ve sent in paperwork and am awaiting the standard evaluation process. That’s right… I need a kidney. Loads of fun!

A WEBSITE:

When I look out and see this added challenge in life I also see an opportunity to be creative in the way I get my story out there. I want to be proactive about this challenge that’s in front of me.

So my friends and I have decided to create a website that is 3 fold.

- Get my story out there / spread the word about the need for a kidney / living donor.

- Tell the story of a character we’ve created (more on this later)

- Release a compilation album people can download and donate / to help pay medical bills.

One thing I’ve found out is that everyone wants to help out when something like this happens and it’s been hard trying to find out how everyone can help. But fear not… there is a plan.

THE CREATIVE STORY / WEBCOMIC / ALBUM:

I’m working with my good friend in Nashville putting together the compilation album.

Some local friends are helping me with the creative story which is as follows:

“Cal is a kidney who recently quit his job as kidney. He wants to do something else.

We are going to tell either a bi weekly or monthly webcomic about Cal’s adventures trying to find another job he’s good at. The story will end when I find a kidney.”

The comic will be titled “Cal the Kidney who literally couldn’t even”

There is a tentative plan to print this book when the story is finished. This is currently pending as there would be a lot that needs to come together for it to happen.

HOW YOU CAN HELP:

I need help with the following things:

- CALLING ALL WRITERS - If you’d like to write an episode of Cal, contact me on Facebook or my email. (doc.misterio@gmail.com) Writers can still join but the comic effort is well under way. Let’s focus on MUSIC!

- CALLING ALL MUSICAL ARTISTS - If you can help with music in any way (you are a producer, you have connections with bands, or If you’d like to have a song on the compilation, contact me on Facebook or my email. (doc.misterio@gmail.com)

- Hosting has been taken care of as well as site design and theme. Thank you all so much!

- Hosting the site ($20/mo - I think between everyone willing to help this should be super easy to pay for for like a year or so)

- Photos have been taken care of!!

- PHOTOGRAPHERS - A couple of professional pictures that will be on the site helping me tell my story.

If you think you can help in some other way, please feel free to contact me.

Thanks,

- Zach Becker, an adult human person who now needs a kidney