SQUEAMISH-NESS

[Ellen]

Hi all, I am so guilty about being squeamish (spell rite?) about dialysis.  Twenty-five years ago, I could not watch my father during dialysis.... now it comes up with my brother. 

Thanks so much for everyone who posts and double thanks for posting to me.  I come here and read posts day and night... over and over... it helps.

I am too lacking in wisdom and uncertain to say much to people.  I can be honest... try to be honest.  That's my contribution.

So far my bro says, NO NO NO to suggestions re: Mozilla or a big magnifying screen on computer.     When do I step in and spoon-feed? and when to say, "talk to the hand, dude"?

I feel better admitting my squeamishness... hope I have not offended anyone.  I've always been a wimp in the body/blood area.

Talk to ya later....

Ellen the Uncertain
 

[Sluff]

Ellen,

Your feelings are quite normal. I would use moxzilla anyway, it is a good server and once you use it you won't go back.

Merry Christmas to you both.

[Sara]

I think a lot of people have problems with being squeamish.   Due to my job and also just due to taking care of my husband over the years I have gotten really used to dealing with blood and body fluids, but one thing I have NOT gotten used to is vomit.  I am very, let's say, sensitive about seeing or hearing it.     I think that in any case, as you have more exposure to it, your discomfort with it will lessen. 

[nwigirlmom]

The only people who's bodily secretions and wounds I can look at without completely feeling weak in the knees are my kids - they're 11 & 9. 

My mom was on dialysis for a very short time - I went with her once - and I had to stay completely on the other side of the room.

I'm going to have to really learn how to grin and bear it when I begin taking my MIL to dialysis!     But I'm sure I'll get through it ... I just wish I wasn't so easily weak kneed.  (sp???)

[Sara]

Well maybe you can gradually expose yourself to it.  Once you are OK just being in the same building, move on to being in the same room (even if it's a BIG room and you're way on the other side and behind a wall  ) and work on moving yourself closer and closer and doing more to help and be involved as you become more comfortable.  If your MIL is doing in-center dialysis, I don't know how much you'll really need to be involved because I know at my husband's center they won't even let me back there at ALL.  All centers are different though.

[jbeany]

To get rid of a phobia, you have to expose yourself in small doses to whatever you are phobic about.  Gradually build up the level of exposure until you are desensitized to the problem.  You can start by looking at the pics on here of our dialysis set ups, then move on to pics of us hooked up to them, then follow some of the links to the videos of people hooking themselves up.  Then try spending a bit of time with your brother when the nurses have finished hooking him up, then maybe when you know you can handle that, try watching them put him on the machine.

I was pretty queasy about the whole thing when I started, and that's what I did.  It worked pretty well for me.  The only time I have problems watching any of it now is when I get the trainee nurse hooking me up - she goes really slow and usually has to fish around a bit before she gets the needles in the right place.  I can't stand watching her while she does that - it makes me queasy to watch her wiggle the darn needle around on her fishing expedition.

[Ellen]

Hello and THANKS SO MUCH for replies...

YES.... the bit by bit approach is the one for me.  I will try to get closer and closer in small increments.  thanks to all who wrote to me....

 
 

Ellen

 

[jasperkat]

It is amazing what you can do if it is someone you love.  I can do all kinds of care that I never ever thought I could do.  I know my husband would do the same for me if he could.

[Bajanne]

I was always so squeamish that my family and friends used to laugh when I was changing my daughter's messy diapers.  They said that you should see the look on my face!  But I was not aware of how I looked.
But something very strange happened years later.  I had to look after my father who had kidney failure.  I cleaned him without a winch.  It was as if I was given some special grace outside of my normal feelings.  I couldn't have done it otherwise.