I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Introduction => Introduce Yourself => Topic started by: cherpep on March 12, 2008, 09:25:53 PM
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Hi there! My name is Cheryl. I am 44 years old, happily married to the love of my life for 21 years, and we have 2 great children, ages 17 and 11. I work full time outside the home and love being a mom to my kids and wife and friend to my husband. This month (March 2008) marks 1 year for me on hemodialysis. I wish I would have known about this site when I first started, I had so many questions and had no idea where to go with them. My husband has been there for me along the entire path, being supportive, helpful, and very, very loving. The most difficult part of this disease has been dealing with the fear I have placed in him and my children. One of the benefits of this disease is feeling the intense amount of love and compassion from them.
After quite a bit of time away, I finally visited my doctor because, to say the least, I wasn't feeling well. After he read the blood test results, he told me to immediately go to the hospital, do not pass Go, do not collect $200. That was a life-altering moment that will always be a frozen snapshot in my mind. Within 24 hours, I was on hemodialysis and trying to understand the massive changes that were about to happen in my life. Although this has been a rough year - stays in the hospital, worktime missed, hours away from my family while at the clinic, events that I've missed, expensive costs that I've incurred, and changes in my family's lifestyle and diet - for me, dialysis has been a blessing. Even through all this and suffering that after-dialysis haze, I have actually felt better than I have in years.
I had no idea how sick I was. Before dialysis, I would arrive to work much earler than others in order to get a close parking spot, so that I would lessen the walk betewen the car and my desk, and that others would not see me stop 3 times along the way to catch my breath. I had difficulties moving from my car into my own home. Stairs petrified me. I would 'walk' in my basement each night in hopes of increasing the number of steps I could take before needing to stop, resulting in dry heaves when I pressed myself too far - 100 steps. I could not sleep. Each night, I would attempt to sleep in a recliner, in hopes of reducing the swelling in my feet, most nights resulting in tear-wrenching cramps in my legs and no sleep. I was gaining weight, even though I ate practically nothing. I didn't want to eat. I felt horrible all the time, and fought hard to hide it.
After about 2 weeks of dialysis, I realized I had lost over 40 pounds. Most of it was lost during the first week. My husband and I were both amazed at how I could walk laps around the hospital floor without wanting or needing to stop. I was hungry! I was able to sleep an entire night - and in my own bed!! Dialysis not only saved my life, but actually gave me some quality life back. I now do flights of stairs without getting winded! I don't care anymore where I park - I look forward to the walk. I went to a large amusement park, Cedar Point, this summer, walked around all day and actually enjoyed riding the rides with my hubby & kids. Dialysis is a miracle.
Sure, it's not all been peaches & cream (not fresh peaches, of course), I've resented the time away from my family while at the clinic - 6 hours/night, 3 days/week. With travelling, it was like having a second job. I had to get used to life happening at my home when I wasn't there. The responsibilities in my home took a shift, adding great amounts of responsibilities to my husband and children. I miss bananas and oranges! Of course, my body has gone through a lot of trauma, the surgeries, the bad pokes, the needle coming out during treatment, etc, etc, etc. However, I view these as just bumps in the road during my journey. I am very grateful to my family and health team, without them, I don't think I could have made it this far.
This far - I have just completed my second week of home hemodialysis. Hallelujah! I love having control over my care, my treatments, and my schedule. Of course, the best part is being at home with my family, with a terrific partner (my husband) by my side. I had a great training nurse, whom I absolutely love! He really cares about me, my health, and my success in doing this on my own. Also, I am very thankful to this site. By reading about others' experiences, especially with NxStage, I was encouraged to search out the right program for me, and actually entered the program with quite a bit of information under my belt. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I do wish I would have found this site sooner, but since discovering it, I have shared it with my doctor, nurse, fellow patients, and on and on and on.
I am not yet on the transplant list. I have some dental issues that need to be dealt with, and a little more weight to lose. I look forward to becoming a valuable member of this online community and sharing experiences with others that truly understand. So, if you made it through this very long intro, congratulations, you have made it to the end. I look forward to meeting and chatting with you all.
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:welcomesign; :welcomesign; :welcomesign;
Cheryl to IHD come on in and make yourself at home. What an uplifting introduction. We usually hear how bad
and lousey dialysis is. It is good to hear how much better it makes you feel for a change. Ask all the questions you want to, there is someone here who can answer them all.
Love, Mimi
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:welcomesign;
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Welcome to IHD Cheryl,
It was great hearing from you and I hope you do become an active member. It sure helps when your family pitches in and understands your limitations. I really feel for the members who live alone or the ones who have lost their spouses because they couldn't deal with the changes in lifestyle because of ESRD.
I hope for you things continue to improve and I'm glad you discovered Nxstage. Check out our creators training schedule and experiences here www.ilovenxstage.com
Looking forward to your future involvement in the forums.
Sluff/Admin
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:welcomesign; Cheryl. Great introduction. You'll love it here. We are now your family and we look forward to hearing more from you.
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:welcomesign;
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Thanks for the welcome! Anyone else on here from Michigan?
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:welcomesign;
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Cheryl - Welcome to IHD. So glad to hear you were able to get set up with home dialysis.
The intro was not too long - it was just right!!!
I have no doubt that you will love hanging out around here when you have time. Look forward to reading all your posts and questions.
Sandyb
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hi Cheryl ;
I'm new too, isn't this site GREAT !!!!! :welcomesign;
big-h
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Cheryl, hi!!!!!!! :welcomesign; :welcomesign;
You'll love it here, so many people wish they had known about this BEFORE they started their journey, I know I do!!!!
I'm a pd'er, on the cycler, so I'm on at night too, and work full time as well! It CAN be done!!!! But boy can it be hard at times!!
Anyhoo, Hi!! :waving; :waving;
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Hi Cheryl
:welcomesign; to the IHD Family!
We have some members from Michigan.
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:welcomesign;
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:waving; Cheryl! It's wonderful to hear such an enlightening story about dialysis. I'm predialysis and it's good to know that there is light at the end of the tunnel. I haven't walked in your shoes, but I'll be here with everyone else should you need to talk, vent or share!!! You've found a wonderful 2nd family. :welcomesign;
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:2thumbsup; hello, my name is Cheryl but I go by twirl on this site
good luck
I need to lose weight to get on the list also
it is hard
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:waving; Welcome Cheryl.
I am glad you found us. Your story is familiar to a lot of us. :bow;
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:welcomesign; cheryl ! On this site, you will find lots of info and lots of people just like you. Those who aren't like you will love you, too! Come here often and let us hear from you.
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Cheryl, what a great intro! Gives me hope for my pre-dialysis husband!
:welcomesign;
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hi ! :bunny:
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:welcomesign; What a great intro - I really love getting a good feel for what others have experienced and you also write really well. I know you will enjoy the banter on this site, as well as the information and family spirit. Congrats on completing your home dialysis training. I am on nxstage too. Look forward to more postings! :bunny:
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Hi Cheryl, welcome! I am a caregiver for my mom who is predialysis and I plan on giving her lots of love and compassion! You have a great prospective on your situation - good for you! take care
:welcomesign;
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Hi Cheryl, welcome from :ukflag;. You'll like it here :2thumbsup;
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Welcome. The changes dialysis makes to your life can sure give it a kick! I had two children in middle school when this all started for me. Been at it nine years now. It is possible to have a full life while doing dialysis. Just got to make up your mind to do it and have a support system in place.
kitkatz,moderator
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:waving; Hi Chreyl, Nice introduction - thanks for all the details. It sounds like you're doing everything you can do make the best of your situation. It must be tough on you, with kids needing so much. I wish you the best!
okarol/admin
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:welcomesign; Welcome aboard!
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:welcomesign; Cheryl,
Glad to have you with us ;)
Lori/Indiana
:basket:
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Cheryl, great introduction. We are glad you have found us. This is the best site and has so much information and wonderful members. Looking forward to hearing more from you :grouphug;
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Welcome to our community! This is just the place for you to be - part of a wonderful caring and sharing community! Please keep posting and let us know how it is going with you. I see you already have one of the greatest things necessary to help you through this challenge - a caring family. And now you also have your IHD family. :grouphug; Looking forward to hearing more from you.
Bajanne, Moderator
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Thanks for the welcome! Anyone else on here from Michigan?
HI Cheryl! :welcomesign; ...this is an awesome site, and we welcome you to the IHD family! I am also from Michigan; I live in Holt, which is just south of Lansing.
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Cheryl :welcomesign; to IHD family. You came to the right place.
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:welcomesign;
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love and compassion
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Cheryl,
I just wanted you to know that I have mentioned your story more than once to my husband to cheer him up.
Thanks for that.
:angel;
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Cheryl,
I just wanted you to know that I have mentioned your story more than once to my husband to cheer him up.
Thanks for that.
:angel;
Thanks, anna! Really - thanks for telling me that.
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Ho Cheryl
:welcomesign; from :canadaflag; Glad to hear how much better you are feeling now you've started dialysis. I'm having my fistula created on Monday and am hoping to hang on til it matures and I can start too. I was on home hemodialysis for five years (1980-1985) then had a terrific, splendiferous, amazing, lucky transplant which is now failing after 23+ years. :'( I'm so gonna miss the little cutie. This community is wonderful and I'm sure you'll be glad you're here.