Classes at my clinic

[KT0930]

I stopped by my dialysis clinic yesterday to drop off some supplies that Fresenius will not take back, and spent a long time talking to the head nurse and director of home dialysis. They mentioned the possibility of using me as a resource for patients who are trying to decide between PD and hemo and also as a speaker at a class they teach about the different dialysis modalities. I absolutely loved PD, as opposed to the few months in my life I've been on hemo, and I know what MY reasons are for this, but I'd love other people's input.

What convinced you that PD was the modality for you? What are the best parts about it, as far as you're concerned? What parts make you sometimes rethink your decision? Any other input you can give me would be great. Thanks, guys!

[goofynina]

That is great KT, i think you will be an awesome advocate   When i was on hemo, i was gaining weight each week, because i couldnt control my fluid intake, they could never take off the whole amount that i gained so it kept climbing and climbing.  Thank God my dietician came over to me and talked to me about PD,  i had been approached about it once before but i totally refused the idea (stupid me).   My dietician showed me the video and asked me if it was something i would be interested in, i said LET'S DO IT (he said he was married) lol, J/K,    Of course i needed to see my neph and my neph was concerned about my weight, puhlease    i am considered fuller than a full figured woman, lol, and i needed to talk to the surgeon to see if it is even possible, and i did, it was and here i am, very content with my decision. 
I love the fact that i can pack it up and travel with it, that is a definate advantage as well.
The only thing i can really say i can complain about is the amount of garbage that we accumulate with this.  All the boxes we have to get rid of, its a shame they dont reuse them.  We do recycle them but because they are so big, we can only do so many at a time and they just keep piling up.  (they are good storage boxes though)    
I hope this is what you were looking for.  Any other information you need, just ask girlfriend, i am an open book (for those over the age of 18 please)    And i dont mind answering questions and/or giving advice    Good Luck 

[KICKSTART]

i have been doing CAPD  for 3 yrs and it has its good and bad points! I love not having to go to hospital for dialysis , but it does leave you isolated as far as meeting other patients. Once you get into a routine its easy to do , you tend to be in control , not a nurse! Of course there is the bloating and the catheter to deal with , which can be a bit of a shock ,if you dont know what to expect before hand. I would have loved to have someone sit and tell me all about both options , but more important SOMEONE that had done BOTH, not a nurse or doctor who has just SEEN  both. Only when you have done it firsthand can you tell everyone what to expect . I hope you do decide to do it , i think many people would benefit!

[paris]

Katie, I went to my centers orientation class.  Then a month later, they called and asked if I would like to come back again because they had asked two PD patients to come in and talk to us.  So, I went back and sat through the class again, but then these two women shared their experiences and we sat there for 2 hours talking. They were wonderful, because they could answer questions even the nurses  couldn't answer. They both gave me their phone numbers and said to call anytime, that they would love to talk to me more.  So, I think you would be a great asset to the clinic. You positive outlook and all the things you have been through would be a great source of help to others.  I hope this is something you feel you can do.   Also, so glad the kidney is doing great.  Take care of yourself

[Chicken Little]

I so wish I had found this site or had someone to talk to before I started.  I was so completely freaked out by the thought of being on dialysis.   Even though I had been attaching myself to an insulin pump for almost 10 years, a big tube being implanted in my stomach was so frightening to me.  Then after visiting a clinic and seeing the size of the needles, what the fistulas had done to some patients arms and everyone looked so ill, I was beyond freaked out.   I was dragged onto dialysis kicking and screaming.  I should have started months before I did, but I was too afraid. 

I ended up choosing PD because I am a control freak with trust issues.  I wanted/needed to be in charge and I felt PD gave me more control.  Then I had problems with my catheter and ended up on hemo for a few months.  For me, hemo was very hard.  Once I learned what was going on I felt a little more in control, but my time in hemo wasn't a happy or healthy one.  My skin color turned ashy, my BP was all over the place and I was so depressed.   Still PD for me isn't great.  I continue to have catheter issues and problems with my clearance, but I do feel a heck of a lot better on PD than I did on hemo.     

I hope you are able to help newbies.  I've been offered a similar thing for patients considering or starting insulin pump therapy.  Unfortunately, I never know how I'll feel day to day, hour to hour, so I'm not in a place where I'm reliable enough to take something like that on.  Maybe after transplant.   

[KT0930]

I guess I didn't make myself clear (sorry about that!!). I'm definately going to do this! I think everyone who's a candidate should at least consider PD or some form of home dialysis, and anything I can do to help a new patient with that decision, I'll do. I just need to make sure I have answers to people's questions and concerns. Thanks everyone for your input. Keep it coming!

[jbeany]

My nurse is busy training new home hemo patients as fast as she can.  Every time I've gone for clinic, she sends me in to talk to the patient and partner currently in training.    I can answer questions and give suggestions that the nurse doesn't know simply because she isn't doing the hemo herself.  I think it's wonderful that you are going to offer to do that at your center for Pd patients.  No one can give a better perspective than an actual patient!