New to board, and start Dialysis today <g>.

[GonePostalWV]

Hello folks,
My names Vince... and I'm a mailcarrier from West Virginia (hence the screen name <g>).
I have PKD, and have recently came to the conclusion that it's time to start my Dialysis treatments.
(Perfect day to start ... April Fools day <g>.)

I've been dreading this day, but have known it's coming for years.  GFR has dropped down to a 10,
and I've been feeling drained and lacking my usual energy.  I've been fighting my kidney disease by
trying to keep up a positive attitude... but think I need the help of dialysis to help keep me moving.

I carry a walking mail route here in Charleston , WV... and hope to be able to keep working.
I know to expect ups and downs... but hope I'm able to work thru the bad days.

Great site you all have here.  I appreciate those who came before me.. and hope someday to be a
help to those who come after me.

Quick description of myself. 
46 yr old Mail Carrier for the USPS
Fairly good health overall... except for my "twins".
Recently went up to the Cleveland Clinic to get my eval started for Transplant someday.
Hobbies: Love to read (Sci Fi , Fantasy), Sports (Fan of WVU and Marshall U football) , and playing on my computer
Purchased a MINI Cooper last year to celebrate my midlife crisis <g>. (Figured I should have a fun car to drive to and from
my treatments 3 days a week....)
Married to my wife Kim since 1985
No Children, but two cats... Tabby and Petey

Wish me luck this evening.  I hate needles... so if you here whimpering coming from the WV area... it will probably be me <g>.

[willieandwinnie]

  Vince. Great introduction and good luck tonight. Please let us know how it goes. We are a wonderful group for offering information and support. Hope to hear more from you. 

[paul.karen]

  Vince.

Glad you found us.  Sound like you are prepared for your first night.  Least as prepared as you can be.  I hope it all works out for you.  I also hope you will have the strength to carry on with your job.  Can you get one of those push cart things??

And what does <g> mean??  Im slow.

Hope to see you post often, you found the best site for people with kidney disease on the whole WWW.
P&K

[monrein]

   Vince.  I too liked your intro and I know that you'll find much information and support here.  Post a lot.

[David13]

Welcome, Vince!   

I am sure you will a great deal of both information and support here.  Best of luck to you with your first treatment.  What kind of access do you have?  Be sure and let us know how it went.

I hope to see you posting often. 

[Romona]

  Best of luck tonight!

[Zach]

Great to have you here!
 

[MandaMe1986]

Happy to have you 

[joyfulmother]

Welcome Vince - glad to have you here.  I started dialysis at the first of this year.  I hate needles too and that's one of the reasons I'm doing peritoneal dialysis. 

<g> means <grin>!

[G-Ma]

 

Thanks Joyful about the g...I was wondering too.

GonePostal with your sense of humor you will do fine.  We can now picture you whizzing along in your Mini..what color is it?

[Joe Paul]

Welcome Vince, good to have you aboard.

[jbeany]

Welcome to the board - hope you survived your first day okay.  The first month can be pretty tough to adjust to.  Hang in there, though - it does get easier!

[GonePostalWV]

Thanks for the warm welcome aboard everybody...

I think I survived my first treatment fairly well.  Picked up a prescription for creme to numb my arm,
and it seems to have helped. (Still hurt like the dickens though.... surprised myself by keeping my
swearing to a minimium, and under my breath for the most part <g>)

Even though my fistula is only 2 months old.. .the folks at the center seemed to think it was a really
good one.  I have good veins anyways.. so that's a blessing. I made it a point to let them know I have
a tendency to cramp up , so they were careful not to pull off too much fluids.

(I still had a bit of a cramping problem... but nothing major.)  The only aftereffects I had were slight
nausea after the treatment... and some forearm swelling where they stuck me.  The swelling's bad
enough that I can't really see the vein... except down by my elbow a handspan down from my lowest
stick.  Not sure if I should apply a little ice to my forearm to help with the swelling... or should just give
it a bit of a rest and let the swelling work it's way out on it's own.

I still have a good strong "thrill" going... so I'm thinking the vein held up ok.  I'm planning to take the
day off tomorrow to see how I feel , and then go back and work half a day on Friday, before my next
treatment.  They are starting me out fairly slow... first two days 3 hours , then will switch to 4 hours
on Monday if things are going OK. Barring any major problems I'll be back on my full mail route Monday...

I think I'll head off to bed and get a little bit more reading out of the way.  Although I might need to
limit my reading time at home, and save all my books for the chair <g>.  Best to everyone.....


Oh,  forgot to mention, My MINI is Lightning Blue with White stripes.  It's a great little car, and extremely
fun to drive.  Surprisingly roomy as well... considering I'm over 6 ft tall ....

[Wallyz]

Still hurt like the dickens though.... surprised myself by keeping my
swearing to a minimium, and under my breath for the most part

C'mon, suck it up, cream puff!

Hey Vince.  Welcome to IHD, sorry you have to be here.  I will tell you that the best thing I did for pain and care for my arm is start sticking my self, and getting buttonholes.   Don't become dependent on the techs, take care of your own damn self.  Take charge, look into going home with home hemo, and take charge of your treatment.  We are here for support and encouragement.

[Slywalker]

Welcome to IHD Vince - glad to hear that you survived your first treatment and lived to tell about it.  <g>.  I have to agree with Wallyz to eventually take charge of your treatments. 

My husband is going to be so jealous to hear you have a mini.......  of course, he is constantly car shopping - a hobby of his is my opinion. 

Take care and again 

Sandyb

 

[kristina]

Welcome Vince and thanks for letting us know how it went. For pre-dialysis-people like myself it is so improtant to find out how things go with "beginners" and to find as much information as possible in order to be well prepared. Thanks again and good luck from Kristina.

[aharris2]

good attitude, good sense of humor, and a cat lover too?

WOW!!! 

Welcome 

Alene

[TeenHatesDialysis]

  Vince


There are lots of very knowledgeable and supportive people here.  I hope that your first day at dialysis went okay, but if you have any questions or concerns....just ask away.  Someone or many usually reply very quickly.