I get my PD catheter placed next Friday. yikes

[loopywinks]

Hello,

I have been searching this section for an answer to my question.  I am scheduled to go in to place my PD catheter next Friday AM.  The woman who scheduled my surgery said it was no big deal and I should expect to be fine to return to work the Tuesday after my surgery.  This is really my first surgery experience (unless you count a kidney biopsy.. easy). 

I am nervous that I will be in a lot of pain and thought I would ask the "experts" here what to expect.

I plan to go back to work for a couple of weeks and then take about a month or so off to train and adjust to my PD life.  I have a 5th grader and lots of things going on at home, so I thought I needed to let work go for a while so I do not get too overwhelmed. I think I need to focus.

Any thoughts and testimonials of experiences would be most welcome.

It is nice to be at a place where I trust I will get accurate and honest responses.  My doctors are nice folks who mean well, but frankly, they don't have to go under knives and deal with the uncertainty that is ESRD.

Take care all and I eagerly await and appreciate any responses     

Loopywinks (Tracy)

[Hanify]

People are all different in this respect Loopy.  For me it was a doddle - I was up and about the same say, only needed paracetamol for a day.  I was surprised how painless it was -  although had to be a bit careful about laughing for a day or two.
Good luck with it - hope you'll be like me!  My friend Dan on ihd always makes fun of me cos he says I really sell PD ccylers on the sly - I'm a bit inclined to rant about how good it is.  So if you have any questions feel free to send me a personal message (PM in ihd speak).

[paul.karen]

Hello Loopywinks and  to IHD.

It is a pretty fast operation as far as operations go.
it is an in and out type of surgery.  Speaking for myself i was doing fine right after the procedure.  I had it done on a Friday and was back to work on Monday.
I went straight to the cycler after doing a day of training on Manuel's.  At first it is a little intimidating but after a couple of training sessions it all came together.  The down side is i have to hook up at 8pm so i can be off by 5AM to get ready for work.  Other then that it isn't bad at all for me.  Then again i dint have a 5 year old to keep up with.

I think if i were in your position i would try to go to the cycler as early as i could.  I imagine it may be hard doing several exchanges a day while keeping up with all the household work.  For most it is easier to do it while you sleep.
P&K

[loopywinks]

Thank you very much for the responses!  I do appreciate them!

I think everything will work out just fine.

The things I also get hung up on are sleeping (I am a turner) and showering (need to be clean) LOL...

The surgeon said that I should be able to shower after 48 hours as long as the site is protected.  I just thought I would buy a big old box of saran wrap and be creative about it 

Anyways... have a great Friday!  Off to work.

Loopy

[paul.karen]

I also am a restless sleeper.  So decide well which side you want your Cath on.

Also before the operation make sure your doctor goes over with you where you want the cath placed.  You dint want it to be on your pants waistline.  Mine is a couple inches above my pant waistline on the left side. I have it on the left side so i can turn left or right in bed without getting it all twisted around me.  If it were on my right side i wouldn't be able to turn right without having alarms going off due to laying on it.  I sleep on the right hand side of the bed.  So if laying on my back the hose goes across my stomach to the left side. 
Kinda sounds silly but it does make a difference at least IMO.

[Poppylicious]

Hi Loopywinks (love the name!).  My Blokey had his PD catheter placement surgery yesterday afternoon.  He drove himself home today (thirty miles) and feels a tad sore (and as Hanify said, he finds it painful to laugh) but he's hoping to be back at work on Monday.  Good luck with your surgery!

 

[Jie]

The surgery was very easy for me. I did not need any pain medicine after getting out of hospital. I had the surgery on the morning and went out to have dinner on the evening and started to work the second day.

[sico]

Loopywinks, the surgery wasn't painful for me with my first cath. But the air inside me caused extreme pain whenever i stood up.

[loopywinks]

   Thank you for the message about your Blokey    I hope everything continues to go smoothly and the healing process is quick.  Your message helped to ease my concern.

Ohh that is fantastic sico and Jie!! I hope that I am as fortunate!

Take care and have a great weekend! 
Loopy

[billybags]

loopywinks, Have you had it done yet? How did you get on ?

[looneytunes]

Ditto to what BB said...how are you getting along?

[loopywinks]

Hello!!  Thank you for the messages!  I can finally sit up for enough time to write.    Not so bad.. mostly cramping, but if I lie flat, it is ok 

The procedure was quick and I was home by 12:30 (the operation started at 7:30). 

I think I will feel better every day and once I heal a bit, I get to start training.  I still plan to go back to work on my next scheduled work day (Tuesday).

Again, THANK YOU   It is so nice to be able to go to a place where people understand.

Much Love,
Loopy

[billybags]

Glad every thing went ok.

[looneytunes]

Also glad to hear all went well.  You will be a pro at this before long!   

[Nikluv]

Ask about Pain on Drain and ask that they explain it in detaiil. You want no surprises like I had.

Whishing you the best of Luck.
Niky

[loopywinks]

Thank you for the wonderful messages...

I ended up back at work last Tuesday and was pretty functional all week thank goodness...until this morning.  I had a date with the effects of Duralax.  NEVER again!!  LOL  That experience was much worse than any surgery pain.

I need to figure out how to stay "regular" if and when I have a transplant.  That will not happen again   Thank goodness for short memories when you have that type of "experience"... I tell you.. almost like giving birth.

Sorry for providing too much information.  I just thought that maybe I could help somebody think twice about how to handle the big "C" problem.

Take care and have a wonderful weekend!!
Tracy (aka Loopywinks)