Hi my name is Nancy: a newbie by way of Nebraska

[mamanan62]

I'm 65 years old, disabled by a stroke in 2005, worked my way back to walking with a cane for short distances and have a power chair for long hauls!! I've known for 2 years that I had CKD, and that was OK.  I wrapped my mind around it and learned to live with it.  But this is a horse of a different colored. But I'm getting ahead of my self.  In May of 2009, I decided to get my fistula put in.   Thinking, I still had at least a year, and it would have plenty of time to mature.  Well, as we all know, this disease has no rhyme or reason, and in 6 months I lost my kidneys. Mostly due to high blood pressure, but what made them go at this particular time, I have no idea. They guess it was from "system shock" from being ill.  Anyway, November 20, 2009, My life took another jolting curve and I'm now on "in center' hemodialysis, with a fistula that is not wanting to cooperate (mature).  I have had it reworked once and a fistula-gram done once, but the venous side is very deep and hard to get a needle in.  Any way that's me in a nut shell.  Hope I didn't get to wordy.

[Rerun]

Not wordy at all mamanan62.  Welcome to IHD and I'm thrilled you found us.  This is a place to vent where we all understand.  Where are you from?  They may need to bring your venous side up closer to the surface.  They they won't have to dig. 

I hope you enjoy our site.

Rerun, Moderator                  

[monrein]

   Sorry you've had such a rough time and now dialysis.  Feel free to ask any questions you may have and someone here is bound to have suggestions. 

[MooseMom]

Mamanan, are you receiving dialysis via a catheter at the moment?  Are they pretty hopeful that your fistula will mature in time?  My mom had a catheter for 18 months because it took that long for her to find herself to a good enough vascular surgeon who could create an upper arm fistula.  She is in her early eighties and has been on dialysis for 5 years now with a fistula that is a work of art!  (Truly, her surgeon took a photo of it, he was so proud!)  So, hang in there!

I got my fistula done last week and I am hoping it will mature OK. 

How are you feeling?  You've had some really hard knocks, haven't you?  Is dialysis at least making you feel better?

Welcome to this site; there are so many people here who are knowledgable and supportive.

[galvo]

  mamanan62. Glad you've joined us. I hope the fistula improves soon.

[okarol]

  Hi Nancy,
I am happy you joined us and introduced yourself. I hope to hear more from you.
Good luck with that fistula. Have you done exercises to get it to mature?
 
okarol/admin
 

[mamanan62]

Mamanan, are you receiving dialysis via a catheter at the moment?  Are they pretty hopeful that your fistula will mature in time?  My mom had a catheter for 18 months because it took that long for her to find herself to a good enough vascular surgeon who could create an upper arm fistula.  She is in her early eighties and has been on dialysis for 5 years now with a fistula that is a work of art!  (Truly, her surgeon took a photo of it, he was so proud!)  So, hang in there!

I got my fistula done last week and I am hoping it will mature OK. 

How are you feeling?  You've had some really hard knocks, haven't you?  Is dialysis at least making you feel better?

Welcome to this site; there are so many people here who are knowledgable and supportive.

[looneytunes]

Hi Mamanana62, glad you joined IHD.     My hubby had his fistula built early this month and we are waiting for it to mature so it can be used.  Right now he is being accessed through a chest catheter. 

Lots of great people on here who will help you in any way they can.  So, ask questions, read posts and just jump right in.