hello from Sherry

[sugapea]

Hi everyone, thanks for excepting me in your group.  I was just diagnosed with esrf a couple of days ago. It came as a huge shock to me since I have always been preety healthy and had no idea I was this sick when I went to the doctor.   I have an appt on Wedsday to talk about starting dialysis and right now I think I am leaning towards PD. Honestly I'm still  a bit confused about all the different info thats out there so hopefully the doctor can help me decided.  The info on here has been great for answering alot of my questions  and helping to alievate some of my fears.  I am trying very hard not to freakout about this since that will really not serve me any purpose. 
   I'm glad I found a group like this and look forward to sharing my experiences as they come. 

[goofynina]

Hi Sherry (Sugapea) how cute    Welcome, to not only the best website regarding this matter but an awesome support group as well.  You have come to the right place at the right time.  I am sure you will find alot of answers to the questions you may have here and if you cant find what you are looking for, please do not hesitate to ask, we are all still learning, and what better teachers than other patients and caregivers and workers of dialysis.  Also, feel free to posts any comments, questions and concerns of your own.  Lookin' forward to hearing more from you...

Goofynina/Admin 

[jbeany]

Welcome, sherry.  There are lots of good posts on here debating the pros and cons of pd vs. hemo.  Also plenty of info on the different categories of each. 

Home Dialysis Central also has a good Pro/Con list that gives the basic mechanics of each type. http://www.homedialysis.org/v1/types/ 

Once you've got the basics figured out, come back here and read the posts from people who have done the different kinds - I think you can get more from people's experiences than from a doc who hasn't personally done any of them!

 

[Sluff]

Welcome to IHD Sherry.

[RichardMEL]

Welcome aboard Sherry... what a big surprise and so much to take in so quickly - I do feel for you and hope all goes well..

[Rerun]

Hi Sugapea.  Ya all from the south??  So sorry about your diagnosis.  Did they say what caused the renal failure?  I think you are smart to research for yourself and then ask your doctor questions.  Welcome aboard and I sure hope you find us helpful as well as hopefull.

           

[angela515]

Welcome sugapea! I look forward to talking with you. 

[Bajanne]

Welcome to our caring and sharing community.  This site is one of the best things that can happen to someone facing dialysis.  Take you time and read through the many posts, choosing the ones that particularly relate to what you are going through.  Then relax a little in our Off-Topic section, or the Chat or the Arcade.  We have everything here for your information, amusement, comfort, support and release (when you need to vent, or rant!)
 

[nextnoel]

Hi, Sherry, welcome to IHD    You've certainly taken a good step in joining this site - it's amazing how much information and support there is here, and we're very glad to have you!

[angieskidney]

Home Dialysis Central also has a good Pro/Con list that gives the basic mechanics of each type. http://www.homedialysis.org/v1/types/ 

Very good link! That is the same one I was gonna post lol!

Anyway,  sugapea !! This is one of the best places for all support and helping to not feel alone in going through this! There is always someone here who's gone through it! And always someone to be there every step of the way as you make your first steps on this huge jouney!

Don't worry! It is not as scarey as it looks at first!

Here are some great links for you:
http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/choosingtreatment/
it covers these (taken right from the page):
Kidney Failure: Choosing a Treatment That's Right for You
On this page:

Introduction
When Your Kidneys Fail
Treatment Choice: Hemodialysis
Treatment Choice: Peritoneal Dialysis
Treatment Choice: Kidney Transplantation
Treatment Choice: Refusing or Withdrawing From Treatment
Paying for Treatment
Conclusion
Resources
Acknowledgments

That's just to help you right off the bat but since this is the introduction thread I can't go on about it. If you want to know more, feel free to use the search feature from the main forum page or start your own thread in the dialysis section or whatever fits The mods here are real nice and also experienced first hand in all this! 

[Zach]

Welcome to the site.  Looking forward to your posts!!
 

[sandman]

 

[Joe Paul]

Welcome Sherry, good to have you aboard.

[MattyBoy100]

Hi Sherry, I only found out 5 months ago (and started haemo dialysis) that I had kidney failure.  Everything is all fresh in my mind about the things that happen and procedures I went through.  So if you got any questions feel free to ask them here or PM me if you want. It's not as bad as it seems at first, believe me.

[jedimaster]

 

[mallory]

Welcome, sugarpea, glad to have you here!   

[AlasdairUK]

Welcome,

I know it is a lot to cope with when you find out and you need to decide between hemo or PD. It looks like you have already been given lots of information. Please feel free to ask about anything you are not sure of.

[boxman55]

welcome Sherry, I am fairly new to the dialysis grind also, I started on 8/14/06 So far what I have learned is to make sure they have your weight right I quit smoking and gained a few but the center keeps trying to take more fluid then I got which leads to big time cramps. So dont let them mess with your weight

[anja]

  Sherry- Glad to have you here.