I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Introduction => Introduce Yourself => Topic started by: greg10 on August 16, 2010, 08:55:19 PM

Title: I am caring for my 81 yr old father, 5 months into his dialysis.
Post by: greg10 on August 16, 2010, 08:55:19 PM

Hello everyone.  As the title states, I am caring for my 81 yr old father, 5 months into his dialysis.   Frankly I don't know how so many of of you on dialysis can handle it.  I am full of admiration for those of you who can persevere given this terrible adversity life has handed you and still lead a normal, happy life.

My faith in the American health care system has been sorely tested in the last few months when my father had a graft implant in March followed by an emergency permacath a few days later when his condition got worst.  Then we had 43 days of hospital stays in the next 3 months, in and out of the hospital 4 times, with complications of sepsis and fevers of unknown origin with his dialysis.  During that time he also had his gall bladder taken out - the doctors were so sure that was the problem - it wasn't; and this was in a new, modern and well equipped metropolitan hospital.

Thankfully we are now out of the hospital and doing moderately well with in-center hemodialysis at a national 'chain' dialysis center.  The experience there has been eye-opening as well and it is not in a good way.

I seem to have a slight problem with entering and jumping text in this text box with the Opera browser, so I will stop here and just say I am grateful my father is still around and I hope I can trouble you with much needed advice and encouragement that I have seen so often freely and generously given in this forum.

Thanks again and happy to be here.

Title: Re: I am caring for my 81 yr old father, 5 months into his dialysis.
Post by: Bajanne on August 16, 2010, 09:19:43 PM

Welcome to our community, Greg!  I am so gratified that your love and concern for your dad brought you here with us.  This is just the place for information and support.  We have a very active group of caregivers here.  I am sure they will welcome you into their midst.   You will soon find that this is more than just a forum - it's a genuine family  :grouphug;  Please read as much as you can, and post as much as you can.  Please keep us up to date on how your dad is doing.




Bajanne, Moderator

Title: Re: I am caring for my 81 yr old father, 5 months into his dialysis.
Post by: galvo on August 16, 2010, 11:56:03 PM

G'day Greg and  :welcomesign;.

Title: Re: I am caring for my 81 yr old father, 5 months into his dialysis.
Post by: Dianejt on August 17, 2010, 03:55:59 AM

 :welcomesign; Greg

Title: Re: I am caring for my 81 yr old father, 5 months into his dialysis.
Post by: Darthvadar on August 17, 2010, 05:57:53 AM

Hi Greg....

Welcome to IHD...

I'm caring for my mum (72) who's also on dialysis.... I'm in Ireland...

Visit regularly, and post often... The folks on this site has saved my sanity on more than one occasion...

Darth....