I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Introduction => Introduce Yourself => Topic started by: Melp on June 30, 2007, 05:50:11 PM
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I found your website by accident today and I am blown away by the information, community and warmth on the site. I feel like I have lost a friend in Epoman already....
I am a caregiver, wife of 26 years to Bill. He went on dialysis in March 2007 and started on CCPD on Memorial Day weekend. He is doing pretty well on it, but has had a rough 3 1/2 years prior. Sounds like that is the norm in the dialysis world. He has had type II diabetes since he was 26 and didn't take very good care of himself. Now at 47, dialysis is his reality. We met at 16, married at 20, so I am in for the long haul. It is very hard sometimes to remember to take care of myself too. But I love my husband and will do anything I can to make his life better and easier. Bill doesn't have much energy. I work full time, am on intermittent FMLA so that I can come and go as needed. I have to admit, I feel like I am always waiting for the next crisis. For awhile there, he was in the hospital monthly for one thing or another. Bill tries to keep his spirits up with distractions, but he is home alone all day. Maybe I can convince him to join this forum also. Thank you for being there.
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Welcome to the site Melp. What you are going through sounds very familiar. I hope you are both working toward a transplant for Bill. A good transplant will turn things around for both of you in pretty spectacular fashion.
Best of luck to you and I hope to hear much more from you.
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Bill has been on the transplant list since August 2006. No family is available. Bill is a type O, but has antibodies from transfusions that are making him difficult to match. We got the call in October 06 but is was a dry run, he was primary, but didn't match. We are hopeful that it will happen. Unfortunately, he has other medical problems that a transplant won't fix. More on that another time. Thanks!
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:waving; Welcome
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:welcomesign;
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:welcomesign; Glad you found this site.
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Welcome. There are a lot of us old married folk on this site. Yes, it is hard work to keep up with kidney disease. :welcomesign;
kitkatz,moderator
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Welcome to our community! We are so glad that you found us. This is the place to be for anyone facing this renal challenge. We already have quite a number of members who are here because of their spouse's renal challenge. I am always gratified when loved ones care enough to join us to be of help. There is quite a lot going on at this site. Take your time and read and read and read, then post and post and post. Ask questions, rant when you have to. Here is a group people who UNDERSTAND what you are going through. I am looking forward to hearing lots from you. A group hug from all of us - :grouphug;
Yes, please encourage your husband to join us. It can only help.
Bajanne, Moderator
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:welcomesign; :grouphug;
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Welcome to this site.
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Welcome Melp, good to have you aboard.
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It's real good to have you here Melp! I hope Bill joins, too.
:beer1;
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Welcome to IHD Melp,
You have one of the hardest jobs by being caretaker and wife. We have a great caretaker section that might help you share your experiences with others faced with the same problems here: http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?board=33.0
Thank you for joining our site and I hope you gain knowledge, support and friendship.
Sluff/ Admin
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Hi Melp,
Glad you found this site, and happy for Bill, that he has you at his side :)
Hugs, kelli
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Hello and :welcomesign;
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Welcome, Melp, and Bill!! I hope Bill does join, so he can find comfort in company that knows what he's going through, as you will with
others that are like you too. They're here, they know what you are going through too! :welcomesign;
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:waving; Hi Melp!
You sound like a devoted caregiver - Bill is a lucky man!
Hopefully he will stabilize and you both can relax a little.
Tell him to get on here and say hello!
Hope to hear more form you both!
All the best,
Karol
okarol/moderator