I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Introduction => Introduce Yourself => Topic started by: flanbyjan on March 10, 2012, 04:58:07 PM

Title: flanbyjan new member and caregiver
Post by: flanbyjan on March 10, 2012, 04:58:07 PM
Hi, my husband started dialysis about a month ago.  Renal failure due to diabetes.  We have also been training for home dialysis with Nx Stage and should be ready to start at home in another week.  I am very interested in reading other people's stories, sharing ideas for home set up and learning recipes etc.  to make life as easy as possible.

My husband has not signed up for transplant yet due to recent prostate cancer which was successfully radiated and lymphnodes removed about a year ago.  I have a 14 yr old son and two older stepsons.  Love them all.  I work full time and am taking college courses to finish a degree I started about 25 years ago.   Looking forward to this outlet.  Thanks.  Jan
 
Title: Re: flanbyjan new member and caregiver
Post by: MooseMom on March 10, 2012, 05:03:31 PM
I love that name..."flanbyjan"!  LOL!

Yep, renal failure due to diabetes is a common story, sadly.  There are lots of IHD members who know what THAT is like!  And we have plenty of people here who are doing home hemo with NxStage; there is a separate forum for discussions about NxStage, I'm sure you've discovered.  Have you yet visited Home Dialyzors United?  www.homedialyzorsunited.org

Thanks for joining IHD; I know you will find a lot of support here.  I'd love to know more about your college courses and your degree!
Title: Re: flanbyjan new member and caregiver
Post by: cattlekid on March 10, 2012, 05:04:15 PM
Welcome Jan!   ;D

I am on NxStage as well.  I did nine months in center, then switched to NxStage in November of last year.  Took three weeks for training, though I was ready to go home after the end of the second week.  Had to use the third week to start establishing the buttonholes.

I think you will love NxStage.  I have the machine set up in my basement TV room.  I have a big closet right next to the setup so I can store the big boxes there.  The little stuff is in an upstairs closet.  I have a rolling cart that I refill with the little supplies as needed. 

The one tip that really helped us with the setup so far is something so silly - DH often has random back pain.  So instead of putting the tape strips on the little side table where I put my supplies for the day, I put the tape strips on the pole that we used to use for the bags before we went to the PureFlow.  Now he doesn't have to bend over and pick up the tape strips to tape down my needles.  Like I said, silly but it works!!!

Title: Re: flanbyjan new member and caregiver
Post by: lmunchkin on March 10, 2012, 05:50:00 PM
Welcome to IHD, Jan.  I too, do NxStage on my husband.  We love it and in time, you both will love it too. Anything we can help you with, just ask!  So glad to have another NxStager join!!!!!!

You were like us, we joined this site while training for NxStage.  Heck, I was going to give it up, when nurse told me about this site.  Went in next day, ready for the challenge, thanks to IHD.

We are here for you, dear!  God Bless,
lmunchkin :kickstart;
Title: Re: flanbyjan new member and caregiver
Post by: willowtreewren on March 10, 2012, 06:21:11 PM
Welcome, Jan!

 :welcomesign;

We did NxStage for a couple years until my husband got a transplant. Loved that little machine and we took it traveling quite often!

Aleta
Title: Re: flanbyjan new member and caregiver
Post by: conchman on March 11, 2012, 05:57:28 AM
 :welcomesign; to the "Ohana".  Sounds like you have your hands full.  Hang in there, I think you will find some good people here, willing to help when asked...

Again, Welcome...
Title: Re: flanbyjan new member and caregiver
Post by: looneytunes on March 13, 2012, 04:19:38 AM
Hi Jan and welcome!  Hubby and I also did NxStage for about 2 years, it was SO much better than in-center for him.  Glad you joined.   :welcomesign;