I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Introduction => Introduce Yourself => Topic started by: Jackie T on September 15, 2018, 01:20:35 PM
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I’m the caregiver for my husband who just started dialysis 8 months ago. He was diagnosed with kidney disease 14 yrs ago, but with a low sodium diet and being in good overall health his kidney held out 14 yrs before it decline to the point where he needed dialysis. He does HHD, he works full time so it is more fitting with his schedule. It was rough starting out with dialysis, his body went through an adjustment period so he was getting severe gout attacks after each treatment. I’m glad to say that after about 2 months, the gout went away and all was better. He is on the waitlist for a transplant so we are coping with dialysis until that day come. I’m so glad I found this forum, I read so many posts on here that have invaluable information with trying to understand what is going on when you’re on dialysis. This entire ordeal no doubt is an emotional roller coaster ride not for the patient but for the caregiver as well. It was so so overwhelming at first, but we took it day by day and it got better where we are now adjusted to our new normal. Thank you for accepting me.
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Welcome to ihd! Sounds like you are off to a good start. I did home-hemo for my husband. He goes to the center now. He works fulltime so can understand about the convenience of doing dialysis at home on your own time. Luckily his boss accommodates his dialysis schedule. If you don't know already you can probably ask your clinic for a break (respite care) whenever you need it. My advice; use respite time to take care of yourself.
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:welcomesign;
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:welcomesign;
Hello Jackie. Welcome to the site.
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Hello Jackie and welcome to IHD and you are quite right, it is a roller-coaster-ride for the caregiver as well. Since my husband looks after me, I have often noticed that he worries much more about my situation on dialysis than I do and I feel so sorry and often wish I could change the situation and make life better for him ...
Welcome again and best wishes from Kristina. :grouphug;
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Welcome to the site Jackie
:welcomesign;
Take care, Cas
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Welcome!
Just so you know, PrimeTimer is one of our caregivers who has given so much good advice and support to other "newbie" caregivers, so look out for her posts! :thumbup;
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Welcome to IHD!
We have a number of 'Caregiver' members that make very valid points that us 'Patients' don't think of from our end of the needle.
All Caregivers are Blessed for their willingness to step up and take care of their Family member.
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Welcome to IHD Jackie. You will find a great group of people, both caregivers and patients. Be sure to take care of yourself, so you dont get burned out. For a good laugh, and to relax, you can always come to our political group. ( Just kidding )
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Welcome Jackie, I too was a caregiver for my husband who did HHD while we both worked full time for 3.5 years. He's now transplanted but my memories of the stress/worry/lack of sleep are still fresh.
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Hello everyone, thank you so much for the warm welcome. I'm truly grateful to have found IHD, my second family. So glad to know that I can come here for answers, seek advice and share my emotions when things get tough. I'm still learning to navigate around this site so my post might end up in the wrong place.