SIDNEY — In a quiet voice, Nicholas “Nic” Bleninger, 25, of Sidney, describes himself.
“I am a 70-year-old man in a 25-year-old’s body,” said Bleninger.
Nic was diagnosed with Immunoglbulin A (IGA) Nephropathy in February. The disease is also known as Berger’s Disease.
“The last week of February I went to the doctor and had high blood pressure,” said Nic. “They decided to run additional blood tests.
“I was helping someone move when I got the call from my doctor who told me to get to the emergency room. I had all the symptoms of renal failure.”
The son of Bruce and Bonita Bleninger, of Jackson Center, learned there usually no symptoms in the early stages of the disease.
“We were like ‘what’s going on?’” said Bonita. “The doctors were amazed he walked through the doors of the emergency room.”
Nic was a patient at Lima Memorial Hospital for six days. He and his family learned his diagnosis and the need for a transplant.
“They say the disease can be hereditary. It was never diagnosed in my father, but he dealt with a lot of issues. He was 76 when he died of renal failure,” said Bonita.
When he was first diagnosed, a port was put into his chest to begin dialysis — hemo dialysis — which dealt with his blood. the port went into his jugular vein and into his heart.
A second port was put in his stomach and is for peritoneal dialysis. He is able to do his dialysis at home. At night, Nic is hooked up to the dialysis machine and it does six exchanges while he sleeps. He also does one exchange during the day which takes about 30 minutes to complete.
Before getting the machine at home, Nic had to do dialysis four times a day.
“On June 20 we see a transplant doctor for the first time,” said Bonita. “Our goal is to find a living donor.”
They have shared Nic’s story with family and friends. Several people have said they would like to be tested to be a living donor.
“Kidneys are one of the items which can be from a living donor,”said Bonita. “Many people can live a full, normal life with one healthy kidney.”
The family has shared their story on Facebook.
“People had been asking about Nic and what they could do to help,” said Bonita. “So we put it on Facebook.”
Nic is among 26 to 30 million of Americans who have some form of chronic kidney disease, according to the National Kidney Association. More than 460,000 Americans are on dialysis. Between 95,000 and 100,000 people are waiting for a transplant. An average of 17,000 people receive a kidney each year.
“We didn’t know so many people needed help,” said Bonita.
Nic visits the Frenicus Clinic on Fair Road in Sidney for treatment also. His transplant doctor is based in Cincinnati, but they will be meeting him in Lima.
Nic sees a nurse every week and his doctor once a month. He gets lots of blood work done and receives shots of iron.
Because of the kidney failure, he is anemic, has low calcium levels and is vitamin D deficient.
“The kidney talks to the thyroid and the thyroid talks to the bones,”said Nic.”Since my kidney isn’t talking, my bones aren’t getting any messages. I have to take calcium nine times a day.
“I have all the disadvantages of being old and the perks of being a young guy,” he said.
Bonita said Nic had all the checkups and well child visit growing up. He also visited the doctor one or two times a year until he was 18.
“They just missed it,” she said.
When Nic was first admitted to the hospital, Bonita said she kept waiting for them to say how long it would take for him to be cured of the disease. Instead the medical personnel began talking about the need for a transplant.
“With a living donor, I could get a kidney as soon as the person is matched to me,” said Nic. “For a cadaver kidney, there’s a three to five year wait. It’s 100 times better to get a living donor’s kidney even if it’s not a perfect match.”
Genetic testing will be done on those wishing to donate a kidney to Nic.
“They won’t take a kidney from someone who has a remove change of having kidney problems,” said Bonita. “They (doctors) won’t hurt someone else to help him.”
Prior to the to transplant, Nic will have to hae all types of testing done to make sure he can receive a new kidney. Tests will be done on his colon, heart and lungs. His eyes and teeth will also be examined.
“The same testing will be done on the donor so there’s no detriment to them,”said Nic.
Insurance and Medicaid will pay for the testing of prospective donors,” said Bonita.
“There’s a shorter recovery time for the donor,” she said.
Dealing with a life-threatening illness hasn’t been easy for Nic.
“I get worn out and winded a lot,” he said. “I hae dizzy spells. I don’t feel like I’m 25. I have good weeks and bad weeks. I’m limited in the things I can do.”
Nic and his mom are thankful that Nic’s employer, Advanced Composites, has been willing to work with him through those good and bad weeks. He is a project engineering technician with the company.
“They’ve dealt with my limitations at work and they’ve been very accommodating,” said Nic.
“I’ve always encouraged him,” said Bonita. “He’s told me, ‘I know I’m not going to live like other people. I’m going to make the most of the time I’ve got.’ He’s had an attitude change since he’s gotten sick. He enjoys life.
“We’ve encouraged our three boys to be independent.” she said. “Nic has come back to the family. He realizes it’s important.”
His two brothers have been tested to see if they have the traits for the disease.
A graduate of Christian Academy Schools, Nic had attended Wright State University until his illness forced him to withdraw from classes.
“There’s a possibility I won’t make it to 50,” said Nic. “I take it easy now. I used to be more independent. I know there are some things I just can’t do.”
A year ago, Nic became a homeowner in Sidney. Today, his grandma and parents help him around the house.
“I’m still proud, just not so independent,” said Nic. “I’m supposed to take care of you guys, not the other way around,” he said to his mom.
“Our kids have been healthy and there were no issues with them,” said Bonita. “We’re blessed that the doctor took extra steps when his blood pressure was not going down. He probably wouldn’t be here right now except for the doctor.”
Support from family and friends is important to the Bleningers.
“My friends are very supportive,” said Nic. “They jokingly call me ‘oild guy.’ A couple of them have said they would donate a kidney to me.”
Bonita said both she and her husband and Nic’s younger brother will be tested. A couple of other people have said they will be tested also.
“IGA affects men more than women,” said Bonita. “Everyone needs to be more aware of the need for kidney donations. You can live a healthy life with one kidney. So many people need help.”
“I encourage everyone to get routine check ups,” said Nic. “I was really bad off. You get used to it and consider it normal (health). I was always tired and worn out. I thought it was because I was a big guy, the classes I was taking and my work.
He said before Christmas he weighed300 pounds. He now weighs 260 pounds because the water he was retaining is now gone.
Anyone who is interested in being tested as a live donor for Nic can email the family at [email protected].
