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GREENCASTLE — Nathan Bousman seems to have it all.

He has been married for 13 years to his wife Jennifer, and they have four daughters. He owns his own plumbing business, which is flourishing.

The Bousmans have extended family and a solid church family.

The one thing Nathan doesn’t have is healthy kidneys — and the 34-year-old is in need of a transplant.

Talk of a transplant for Nathan began in 2005 after he was diagnosed with chronic kidney failure. Doctors could offer little reasoning for why Nathan’s kidneys were failing — he was told it was likely due to infections that had left his kidneys scarred.

Nathan, a 1995 Greencastle High School graduate, first learned his kidneys were failing during a routine physical conducted while he was on active duty with the National Guard.

While doctors warned Nathan he would eventually need to think about a transplant, it didn’t become a critical issue until just recently.

“My mentality was, ‘When the symptoms come I’ll deal with it,’” Nathan said. “Thing is, the symptoms never came. I wasn’t worried about it because I didn’t feel bad.”

When he was first diagnosed with kidney failure, Nathan’s kidneys were functioning at 85 percent.

Now, they’re functioning at 11 percent.

“I’ve got three, maybe four people in line to be tested to see if they could donate for me,” Nathan said.

The best option for an organ transplant match for Nathan — who has type O positive blood — would be a sibling.

Unfortunately, that is not an option.

In a strange twist of fate, Nathan’s brother Matthew passed in August 2008 as a result of anaphylactic shock caused by bee stings — and the family donated all of his organs, including his kidneys.

“If I had known then that my kidneys were going to go downhill so fast, we could have had him tested to see if he was a match,” Nathan said.

Members of the church the Bousmans attend, Greencastle Christian, are in the process of putting together a donation drive to test possible matches for Nathan.

By the time he was told he would need to go on dialysis, Nathan had begun his own business, Bousman and Miller Plumbing.

Unable to devote the time necessary for traditional dialysis treatment, Nathan opted to treat his kidney disease with peritoneal dialysis.

“I have a crazy work schedule because I run my own business,” he said. “I didn’t have time to have dialysis in a clinic.”

Nathan had a port put on Jan. 7 in so he could do his own dialysis. He started giving himself treatments a little over a week ago.

In peritoneal dialysis, sterile solution is run through a tube into the peritoneal cavity, the abdominal cavity that surrounds the intestine. the solution is left in the peritoneal cavity for a period of time (this is known as “dwelling”), where it absorbs waste products.

The solution is then drained out through the tube and discarded after it is measured.

Nathan does three “change-outs” a day. He carries the bags of solution — which weigh about five pounds at the beginning of a dialysis cycle — under his shirt as he works or does other day-to-day activities.

He does his draining and exchanges at home. in the first four days of treatment, Nathan lost 15 pounds.

“I have to weigh and chart everything,” Nathan said. “I have to weigh how much fluid I drain out, and I have to check my temperature and blood pressure.”

When the first delivery of a month’s worth of dialysis supplies showed up at the Bousman home, neither Jennifer nor Nathan was prepared for the sheer volume.

Boxes, stacked halfway up the walls, now take up about a quarter of the family’s living room.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Jennifer said. “When it came, I told Nathan it didn’t really go with my decor.”

Jennifer took classes to learn how to do the dialysis, so she can help her husband.

Doing dialysis at home is a very precise process, involving face-masks and constant hand-washing to avoid possible peritonitis (inflammation of the peritoneum).

The Bousmans’ youngest daughter, Emma Grace, 5, can spout off what pretty much every piece of her father’s dialysis equipment does, and is very serious when she talks about the need for masks to “keep germs away.”

If the Bousmans travel any distance or go anywhere, they have to consider how long they will be gone and what they need to take so Nathan can still do his dialysis.

“It’s like having another child,” Jennifer said.

Nathan said he “has a new appreciation for what pregnant women go through” after having to fill up with the solution.

“At least I can have relief by dumping it out,” he said.

Until a kidney donor is found, dialysis will be a part of Nathan’s daily routine.

“There’s no known length of time that I can do this before I absolutely have to have the transplant,” Nathan said. “I’ve heard of people who have been on dialysis for 20, 25, 30 years.”

Nathan is in the process of being put on a transplant waiting list, and said he will do dialysis for as long as he has to.

“I’ll get on the list,” he said. “If I can’t find a match and I have to wait, that’s what I’ll do.”

Jennifer said her husband’s positive attitude and willingness to do what has to be done have kept her grounded.

“He’s solid as a rock,” she said. “He never wavers. He doesn’t think twice about doing whatever he has to do. He’s very strong.”

Nathan shrugged.

“Being worried about it’s not going to change it,” he said matter-of-factly.

Despite his low kidney function and having to do dialysis, Nathan said he has never really felt all that bad.

“If I was a betting man and I didn’t know any better, I’d swear I was perfectly healthy,” he said. “They say my age has a lot to do with the fact that I don’t seem sick.”

Jennifer said she has only seen minor outward symptoms of her husband’s illness.

“He’s had a little puffiness and some edema (swelling) in his legs,” she said.

The Bousman’s four daughters — Tiarra, Kiersten, Mary and Emma — range in age from 5 to 19. the three youngest are at home, while the oldest is studying at Ball State University in Muncie.

Even though doing dialysis has been an adjustment, Nathan knows he is luckier than some who suffer from the condition he does.

“I really consider (being able to do at-home dialysis) a blessing,” he said. “I work every day. I deer hunted all season.”

Nathan sighed.

“Still, every time you have to do (dialysis) is the most inconvenient time in the world,” he said. “But it’s my life. I gotta do what I gotta do.”

Sexually transmitted disease rates good but can be better, health department says Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010

In the anything-goes mentality of college life, “responsibility” isn’t in the forefront of many students’ minds when it comes to sexual activity.

But one student at Central Washington University (CWU), who wishes to remain anonymous, has no choice but to be responsible.

The student contracted the human papillomavirus (HPV) two years ago. more so than many, she says, she understands the concerns about sexually-transmitted infections (STIs).

It’s not painful for her, she says. but it does affect her love life and the relationships she chooses to have.

She always has informational pamphlets handy. And she has educated herself and researched the topic thoroughly enough to answer any questions a partner might have.

“I’ll do whatever it takes to make them feel comfortable about it,” she said. “I always insist on using condoms for my own peace of mind … I’m just coming to terms with” HPV.

HPV, overall, is the most common STI in the United States, and generally causes no symptoms. However, individuals who are not treated are at a much higher risk of cervical cancer and pregnant women can pass the virus to their infant at delivery. the student found out she contracted the virus after a normal pap screening test.

The virus typically lasts for about two to five years until becoming dormant and disappearing.

“Right now it’s a waiting game,” she said. “I’m a carrier for the next few years.”

Kittitas County STI Rates

According to the Kittitas County Public Health Department, most of the STI cases in Kittitas County are young, presumably because Ellensburg has a large college student population.

“Let’s just say that we do see a decrease in cases during the summer,” said Amy Diaz, assessment coordinator for the Kittitas County Public Health Department.

According to the most recent report on STI rates in Kittitas County, for 2007- 2008, the overwhelming majority of cases are in the 15-24 age range.

HPV, however, is not the most commonly diagnosed STI in the county, despite its rates nationwide. Chlamydia is the most commonly diagnosed STI (with genital herpes a close second), Diaz said. Numbers for other common STIs such asGonorrhea are small, and cases are few and far between.

Jen Ham, community organizer for Kittitas County Planned Parenthood, said that Chlamydia produces about 70 percent of their cases, and that it’s the second- most common communicable disease next to the common cold.

“It produces very few symptoms but it can cause a whole bunch of other things if untreated,” Ham said.

Untreated Chlamydia cases in women increase the risk for infertility, pelvic infl ammatory disease and complications during childbirth, Ham said.

Diaz said that Chlamydia rates in Kittitas County have increased between 1992 and 2008 at a rate of about 6 percent per year.

Ham said that it’s easier to test for STIs than it was in the past, so it can be assumed that more students are getting tested.

“The technology is way better now,” Ham said. “All we need is a urine sample.”

Kittitas County, according to estimated 2008 U.S. Census data, has a population of 38,951. Since the area is relatively small, case counts are small compared to surrounding counties.

Between 2007 and 2008, the rate for Chlamydia for ages 15-24 in Kittitas County (per 100,000 population) is 823.4, and 207.1 for ages 25 to 44. This is compared to a Washington state rate of 1,426 and 318.1, respectively. Chlamydia cases for the upper and lower age brackets are so low that the department won’t release the data for confi – dentiality reasons.

A similar finding showed that the only figures reported for the Herpes virus were from the 15-24 age bracket. the data for all the other age brackets hasn’t been released for confidentiality.

Ham said that compared to STI rates in surrounding areas, such as Yakima, Grant or Benton counties, Kittitas County has a very low rate of STIs overall.

“We’re pretty good – that’s not to say it can’t get any better,” Ham said.

Central picture unclear

Diaz said the county doesn’t have a clear picture of the situation with Central students with STIs. Non-resident students who use a home address when being tested for an infection will have their information reported to their respective home counties.

“A lot of people aren’t even aware that doctors are required to report that information to the health department,” Diaz said.

Ham credited the relatively low rates to Planned Parenthood’s attempts to reach out to students on campus, through programs like Central VOX (which meets regularly on campus to educate and inform students on the dangers of STIs), and by holding regular classes and residence hall programs.

Kittitas County’s Planned Parenthood is one of several non-profi t organizations feeling the strain of recent budget cuts in Washington state. last February, however, the organization and volunteers helped stop a proposed $3 million cut to the state Department of Health’s family planning division.

The effort was spurred by this year’s Planned Parenthood Lobby Day, an annual trek to the state capital to lobby for various family planning-related issues.

This year, about 250 volunteers took a bus to Olympia to protest budget cuts, 16 of them from Kittitas County.

“The people of Washington thought this was an important issue,” Ham said. “Not only did we not get cut, but we also got funds reinstated. That’s a pretty big deal.”

Kittitas Health Department

The health department is also in charge of counseling patients with STIs, and educating students.

“What we do here is facilitate early partner treatment and data collection,” said Linda Navarre, county public health nurse and community health services supervisor. “The real problem we’re dealing with is preventing the spread of STIs. the whole plan is for earlier treatment.”

Other Central students acknowledge the prevalence of STIs on campus, and agree that preventative measures should be taken.

“I am concerned about being in a relationship where we’re not honest about our past,” said Amanda Kieser, freshman psychology major. Kieser’s last partner was tested for STIs with her insistence.

Lacey Yanez, senior English education major, said she doesn’t need to worry much about issues with STIs as she and her boyfriend have been together for almost six years.

“Communication is the key,” Yanez said.

Landis Pederson, sophomore undeclared, said he believes there is always a concern about STIs when attending a university.

“I haven’t had any problems, though,” Pederson said. “Condoms, that’s pretty much it.”

GONORRHEAMETHODS OF TRANSMISSION – Can be spread through contact with the penis, vagina, mouth or anus. Ejaculation does not have to occur for it to be transmitted.

SYMPTOMS – the carrier may not have any signs or symptoms. Men may experience a burning sensation when urinating, discharge from the penis and sometimes painful or swollen testicles Women may mistake gonorrhea for a bladder or vaginal infection. Symptoms include burning sensation when urinating, increased vaginal discharge, or vaginal bleeding between periods.

GENITAL HERPESMETHODS OF TRANSMISSION – Can be found in and released from the sores that the virus causes, but are also released between outbreaks from skin that does not appear to have a sore.

SYMPTOMS – Most people infected with genital herpes are not aware of their infection. Carriers may experience a crop of sores, and fl u-like symptoms, including fever and swollen glands. of genital herpes can expect to have several outbreaks within a year.

CHLAMYDIAMETHODS OF TRANSMISSION – Transmitted during vaginal, anal, or oral sex.

SYMPTOMS – Men may experience discharge from the penis, burning sensation when urinating, and burning and itching around the opening of the penis. Women may experience abnormal vaginal discharge, a burning sensation when urinating, lower abdominal pain, low back pain, nausea, fever, pain during intercourse, or bleeding between menstrual periods. the virus can also be found in the throats of women and men having oral sex with an infected partner

ResourcesIf you believe you may have a STI, contact one of the following resources.

Kittitas County Planned Parenthood509-925-7113413 N Pine St.Ellensburg, Wash.plannedparenthood.org

Kittitas County Public HealthDepartment509-962-7515507 Nanum St. #102Ellensburg, Wash.co.kittitas.wa.us/health

CWU Wellness Center509-963-3213SURC 139cwu.edu/~wellness

CWU Student Health and Counseling Services509-963-1881On campus at the corner of 11thand Poplarcwu.edu/~shcc