I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Introduction => Introduce Yourself => Topic started by: joezee on January 03, 2008, 05:52:01 PM

Title: Hello from Ormond Beach (Daytona) Florida
Post by: joezee on January 03, 2008, 05:52:01 PM
Hi everyone! It's good to be among so many others who have been there and are doing that while beiing candid and still maintaining my kind of sense of humor. I'm 63 and have been on in-clinic hemo (Davita- Ormond Beach, FL where I live) since 1/06. I'm a NJ native but have been in FL for 24 consecutive warm Christmases and New Years and I hope many more. I consider myself very lucky, having been diagnosed ESRD at 30% of kidney fuinction in 1998, without symptoms, based on routine blood tests. I never had any symptoms until wicked anemia set in about a month before I started dialysis and shots of EPO did no good. The start of dialysis was part of a bad 8 months that began with prostate removal folllowed by an absessed abdominal infection requiring emergency surgery, then gall bladder removal, aortic valve replacement, and finally emergency surgery to repair a brachial artery aneurism probably caused by a bad needle stick in my non-fistula arm. After 6 weeks of a heavy duty intravenous anti-biotic under the care of my Special Angel and life partner Diane I finally started recovering and have felt like a rebuilt '57 Chevy ever since. The prostate cancer was discovered during a cadaver transplant workup at the Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville. Thankfully the cancer was removed with the prostate surgery and I was placed on their waiting list in late October 2005. I'm told I'm #3 in the queue which could mean tonight or several more months. I feel lucky that I feel OK but tired after dialysis, but great the other four days of the week, so it's not like the wait is killing me. I also feel lucky that I have ESRD and not some other terminal disease that doesn't come with the options of dialysis and transplant to continue living. I know transplant can be a tradeoff between dialysis and heavy drugs, but everyone who has been there says give it a shot. Adjusting to dialysis didn't come easy- it took me about 6 months of trial and error working with the dialysis nurses to finally get it right. I don't expect to recover from transplant overnight either. Joining an online dialysis support group 4 years ago was instrumental in self education and attitude change. That Group experience took me from feeling cursed to feeling blessed based on the options to continue living, and living the same kind of fulfilling lifestyle so many other dialysis patients have lived for years. I learned early on from that Group that we cannot change our circumstances, but we can change our attitude about them. Yes I have bad days too, just like perfectly healthy people. I've been very impressed from what I've read here and I'm glad I found you. I'll try to pass on as much as I can about in-center dialysis when questions arise, and if you don't mind I might pick the brains of those of you who have had the transplant experience. Good to be here.
Title: Re: Hello from Ormond Beach (Daytona) Florida
Post by: Romona on January 03, 2008, 06:13:15 PM
 :welcomesign;
Hi Joezee,
You and Diane must remember me. I am your long lost:
a) cousin
b) niece
C) godchild
d) plumber
Please pick one of the above and send me a plane ticket. I am freezing in Pennsylvania.  :bandance; :bandance;
Just Kidding! Welcome aboard! :snowman;
Title: Re: Hello from Ormond Beach (Daytona) Florida
Post by: paris on January 03, 2008, 07:25:18 PM
 :welcomesign;  So glad you joined our fun family!  I love Ormand Beach; have driven through many times on our way to Daytona or points south.   Great area to be in.  You will find great people here who are always willing to help.  Looking forward to hearing more from you.
Title: Re: Hello from Ormond Beach (Daytona) Florida
Post by: kitkatz on January 03, 2008, 08:49:12 PM
Good grief! You have been put through it! Welcome!
Title: Re: Hello from Ormond Beach (Daytona) Florida
Post by: boxman55 on January 03, 2008, 10:46:40 PM
welcome Joezee, glad to have you aboard...Boxman
Title: Re: Hello from Ormond Beach (Daytona) Florida
Post by: Joe Paul on January 03, 2008, 11:03:48 PM
Welcome Joezee, good to have you aboard.
Title: Re: Hello from Ormond Beach (Daytona) Florida
Post by: Sluff on January 04, 2008, 05:53:45 AM
Welcome Joezee to ihatedialysis.com

Very nice introduction, I hope you get your transplant and hope it all goes well.
Thank you for taking the time to introduce yourself, sometimes people find it hard to do that. I hope IHD continues to be a source of knowledge, friendship and more. Post as often as you like and we will be waiting to hear more from you soon.

Sluff/ Admin
Title: Re: Hello from Ormond Beach (Daytona) Florida
Post by: willieandwinnie on January 04, 2008, 06:44:55 AM
:welcomesign; joezee,
Great introduction. You'll learn a lot here and we will learn from you. We lived in St. Augustine at the Conch House Marina before my husband became ill and we moved back to Maryland. It is 17 degrees here this morning and not looking forward to February. Take care and WELCOME.

Title: Re: Hello from Ormond Beach (Daytona) Florida
Post by: bolta72 on January 04, 2008, 06:46:37 AM
 :welcomesign;
Title: Re: Hello from Ormond Beach (Daytona) Florida
Post by: Lori1851 on January 04, 2008, 07:25:07 AM
 :waving; Joezee,
Glad you found this site. It has alot of good knowledgeable people on here.

Lori/Indiana
Title: Re: Hello from Ormond Beach (Daytona) Florida
Post by: oswald on January 04, 2008, 08:02:53 AM
 :welcomesign;
Title: Re: Hello from Ormond Beach (Daytona) Florida
Post by: okarol on January 04, 2008, 09:26:44 AM
 :2thumbsup; Hey joezee,
Good introduction! Sorry you've been through so much but it sounds like you're dealing with all of it with a great attitude! Good luck with the future and the potential transplant - I hope all goes well.


okarol/moderator
Title: Re: Hello from Ormond Beach (Daytona) Florida
Post by: xtrememoosetrax on January 04, 2008, 10:47:30 AM
 Hi Joe. Glad you're here. I have found IHD to be a gold mine of information and support, and hope you'll be adding your :twocents; to make this an even more valuable resource.  :welcomesign;
Title: Re: Hello from Ormond Beach (Daytona) Florida
Post by: orphans_mom on January 04, 2008, 04:31:01 PM
Welcome Joezee and Diane.

You sure have been through it. I hope all goes well for you in the future.

 :welcomesign;
Title: Re: Hello from Ormond Beach (Daytona) Florida
Post by: del on January 04, 2008, 04:48:17 PM
 :welcomesign; You have a GREAT attitude!!
Title: Re: Hello from Ormond Beach (Daytona) Florida
Post by: livecam on January 04, 2008, 05:11:37 PM
Hey Joe welcome.  We vacationed once in Ormond Beach when I was a kid.  Tonight we are just down the road from you in Weston.  Welcome to the site!
Title: Re: Hello from Ormond Beach (Daytona) Florida
Post by: kellyt on January 04, 2008, 09:18:30 PM
 :waving;
Title: Re: Hello from Ormond Beach (Daytona) Florida
Post by: kevinswife on January 05, 2008, 10:10:32 AM
 :welcomesign;

You have a great attitude!   :2thumbsup;

kevinswife
Title: Re: Hello from Ormond Beach (Daytona) Florida
Post by: Ang on January 05, 2008, 03:12:35 PM
 :welcomesign;
Title: Re: Hello from Ormond Beach (Daytona) Florida
Post by: donnia on January 06, 2008, 12:06:59 PM
 :welcomesign;
Title: Re: Hello from Ormond Beach (Daytona) Florida
Post by: goofynina on January 06, 2008, 10:45:16 PM
Hey Joezee, Welcome to ihatedialysis.com.  Looking forward to hearing more from you. :)


Goofynina/Admin.
Title: Re: Hello from Ormond Beach (Daytona) Florida
Post by: Bajanne on January 08, 2008, 06:54:27 PM
Welcome to our community!  I am a bit late in welcoming you because of computer problems.  Very glad you decided to join us.  I can see you have lots to offer us, as we have lots to offer you.  Please take advantage of all this site has to offer.  we have become a genuine caring and sharing family.  when you need to vent, this is just the place.  when things are going hunkydory, this is just the place!

Bajanne, Moderator
Title: Re: Hello from Ormond Beach (Daytona) Florida
Post by: keefer51 on January 11, 2008, 01:51:49 AM
 :welcomesign;
Title: Re: Hello from Ormond Beach (Daytona) Florida
Post by: Hawkeye on January 11, 2008, 12:29:54 PM
Hello and  :welcomesign;
Title: Re: Hello from Ormond Beach (Daytona) Florida
Post by: angellady07 on January 14, 2008, 12:26:42 PM
Welcome.  :waving;