Hello

[letaek]

My father was diagnosed with ESRD in December of 05' after being hospitalized for pneumonia and going into a low blood sugar induced coma. He came out ok, but he had to begin dialysis ASAP. The extra fluid his body couldnt deal with was pooling around his lungs. We spent New Years Eve in the ICU, he had a catheter placed and was ready for dialysis the next day. It all came as a shock to my sister, mother and myself. On top of this my father is diabetic.

After starting dialysis he lost 20 lbs and has better BP than before (used to be high) and his blood sugar levels are more in control than prior to dialysis. I thank you Epoman for starting a board like this. Knowledge is power and I feel less panicked once I am informed. My father has now been on Hemo-Dialysis for 1 yr and counting and had an upper arm fistula creating July 2006. They attempted to use it a month ago and his arm swelled up. Then last night they used it for the second time, only one small needle. Things went smoothly he drove home and took a nap. When my sister got home she noted he was bleeding profusely from the fistula and took him to the er where they applied pressure to the top of the arm (not near fistula) with a turniquette and every 20 min or so, loosened the turniquette. My father stopped bleeding and his fistula feels ok-he feels the thrill etc. I believe his heparin dose will have to be lowered but as his catheter has been working great, levels being good, I feel he should wait a month or so longer before attempting the fistula (all the while exercising his hand with the little ball they give you).

So that is all about me-just a very much concerned daughter.

[nextnoel]

Welcome, letaek!  

Knowledge is power and I feel less panicked once I am informed.

You've certainly come to the right place to learn new things and share what you already know, and we're glad to have you here!  Hope your dad is feeling better today.

[letaek]

he is-the bleeding stopped last night. thanks

[mallory]

That's scary, letaek!  I'm glad to hear your Dad is doing better.  Glad you've joined the site, we've got a lot of great people here to support you and your Dad! 

[Sluff]

Welcome to IHD letaek,

Your Dad is lucky to have a daughter that cares so much. You have come to the right place to gain support and knowledge about your Dad's condition.

 


Sluff, Moderator

[letaek]

thanks...he can be grumpy but hey, it's worth it and he's always been grumpy now that i think of it.

[boxman55]

Welcome to the site. I am a diabetic and started dialysis in Aug '06 like me there are a lot of people here you can draw advice from. Tell your Dad to hang in there  Boxman

[Rerun]

Letaek welcome to our site.  You will learn loads from this site and there is a special section for caregivers that you should find most interesting. 

Tell your Dad that we know what he is going through.  Sometimes we just don't like to feel alone in all this.

                                                                                   

[letaek]

thanks Rerun-how is the catheter? I am delighted to have found this board. Thanks very much

[jedimaster]

 

[Joe Paul]

Welcome Letaek , good to have you aboard.

[anja]

   letaek, you are a great daughter to help your father out by learning as much about his condition as possible!      Anja

[jbeany]

 

[letaek]

thanks everyone:)

[Zach]

Glad you're here!   

[Bajanne]

Welcome to our caring and sharing community!  I appreciate your concern for your father which brought you here.  This is the place to be - a place for answers, a place to vent, a place for support when you are going through stuff.  You will not regret being here.  Please keep   posting and keep us posted on all that is happening with your dad.  Here is a hug from all of us.

[shay_pcb]

 

[aharris2]

hello n    i'm like ur dad a diabetic (30 some yrs)  n now i have been on dyalisis for nearly 5 yrs so i can say i know how he must feel, tell him to hang in there n to you cheers for being such a good daughter...i have three beautiful daughters who worry about me all the time but i try to be good for them. again  to our community

take care,

rolando

[virrat]

Good on you for being an advocate for him.  Have you told him about telling us his/your story?  Give him my and, I guess, our collective best.

[goofynina]

Hello Letaek,  I know its been a couple of days that you have been a member but i would like to Welcome you to ihatedialysis.com,  I know you will find alot of information here that will be helpful for you and your dad, if you do not find what you need, please do not hesitate to ask and any one of us would be more than happy to help you... Hope to hear more from you soon...


Goofynina/Admin