I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: News Articles => Topic started by: okarol on August 21, 2008, 02:06:06 PM
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The Warmth of an Idea for Your Vascular Access
Kidney Times
By Harriet Tomlinson
My name is Harriet Tomlinson and I have a hereditary disease called Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). I was diagnosed in 1971, so I have known for years that kidney failure was probably in my future. I began hemodialysis in May of 2006. I have an upper arm AV fistula, and while on dialysis found that my access arm got uncomfortably cold. Those of you on hemo know that we can’t cover the access arm because the needle site has to be visible to staff at the center at all times.
Inspiration
I saw some people devise coverings for their lower arm by cutting off a sleeve from a sweatshirt or wearing a thick sock pulled over their hand and up to the elbow. As I have enjoyed knitting since I was a teenager, it occurred to me to knit half sleeves (from the wrist to the elbow) or “arm warmers” as I call them. The idea being you could slip one on after the needles were in place and hopefully stay warm during your treatment.
I came up with a pattern and made several, taking them to my own unit to see if the administrator and charge nurse would approve their use. They were very enthusiastic! I have since delivered to the other dialysis units here in Colorado Springs as well.
Sharing is Caring
Having received an insert (asking for ideas that would benefit dialysis patients as well as showcasing ideas that patients had already submitted) from Renal Support Network (RSN) in their newsletter several months previous, I though this would be the appropriate venue to spread this idea beyond my own community. I sent RSN one of my arm warmers along with the pattern and received a very positive reply and this opportunity to share this idea on their website. I hope those of you who knit or your friends or family members who do will enjoy working on these.
What a Beautiful Gift
On December 28, 2007 I received the gift of a kidney transplant from my beautiful, generous daughter Susan. What a truly awesome Christmas present! We are both doing very well, but my heart is still with those on dialysis, so I will continue to knit arm warmers for patients, hoping they make their treatment time a bit more comfortable.
Arm Warmer Knitting Instructions
Instructions are for small and large
Materials Needed
Materials: 1 skein (5-7 oz) acrylic 4-ply knitted worsted yarn
Needles: 1 pair each size 5 and 8 needles or any size needles that will give specified stitch gauge below
Gauge: 4 stitches = 1 inch
5 rows – 1 inch in stockinette stitch
Pattern
* Using the smaller needles, cast on (44-48) stitches
* Knit ribbing of K2P2 for 12 rows
* Change to larger needles
* K across, increasing 1 stitch on each side (46-50) stitches
* (P1 row, K1 row), increasing 1 stitch on each side of K row (48-52) stitches
* Continue in stockinette stitch until piece measures (13-15) inches
* Changing to smaller needles, knit ribbing of K2, P2 for 8 rows
* Cast off
* Sew sides together, making a tube
* Press with seam in center back
Photos:
1. Harriet Tomlinson and her daughter Susan Tomlinson two days after her transplant.
2. Wendy Rogers modeling Harriet Tomlinson's arm warmer.
About the Author
Harriet Tomlinson and her husband Ed have two grown children and eight grandchildren to keep them quite busy. With her husband in the Air Force for 21 years, Harriet spent a lot of time moving and traveling. Now that Ed has his own consulting firm, she enjoys accompanying him on business trips as well as traveling for pleasure. Harriet has primarily been a homemaker but has worked for physicians, substitute taught, and restored and sold antiques (which she continues to do today). She likes to knit, sew, collect antiques and read. While on dialysis, she often spent the time listening to audio books which helped make the time go by quickly. Harriet is involved with her church and volunteers with Operation Christmas Child (sending shoe boxes of goodies to children around the world). She also plans to get involved with the local donor alliance organization to make more people aware of the gift of organ donation.
http://www.kidneytimes.com/article.php?id=20080708184431
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These are Awsome!!! :bandance; We devised a very crude version of this, but we put it on the OTHER arm... It goes over the blood pressure cuff, is full arm length to cover the whole arm. If the BP cuff is put OVER a sweater,or thick shirt, it's not an accurate reading. So we ask the patinets to come in a short sleeve shirt, and put that thing OVER the cuff. We could make some short ones for the access arm . Ours don't look that good, but they work. Good idea.