Hello, I'm Tom (silverhead)

[silverhead]

I'm Tom, caregiver for my wife Sharon, She has been on hemo since last May, after we had been fighting her declining kidney condition for almost 30 years, all related to severe scarring of the Ureters from chronic kidney/bladder infection that we feel was never adequately treated in all that time, but enough about idiot doctors. We have been married for 42 years, I like to say that she took wonderful care of me for most of that, now its my turn to return the love, so I have taken over the chief cook and bottle washer duties at home and fiercely watch over her dialysis at the center, enough so that her Nephrologist has finally written in her chart that WE are to be listened to when we tell them what we want removed or to stop removing fluid at her request (she sometimes feels a headache coming on near the end and has them stop removal and to give her back some to ease it),  I think part of it comes from wonderful sights such as this that have taught me so much about the disease, we have been able to bring all her blood tests into the acceptable range and anytime they stray out of limits all we ask is what they readings are and through diet quickly bring them back to ok, Phosphorus is always a problem as she cannot tolerate binders of any kind, but somehow we manage it. I should report that she does have 1 working kidney (left one has shrunk to almost nothing) her right one has a Nephrostomy tube (tube going into the back and drains the kidney, about 3000 ml daily) I believe that is helping her maintain some normalcy in her kidney function although her Creatanine level is in the 7 to 8 range). So anyway, we love having a place to read about and learn more all the time, Thanks.......

[aharris2]

welcome to IHD Tom, i also get headaches from dialysis but is usually because they are taking the liquids out to fast...anyways i hope you enjoy your stay in this wonderful place and if you need to ask any questions I'm sure one of us will be able to help you. again 

Rolando

[Sluff]

Welcome to IHD Silverhead,

Your wife is lucky to have you in her life. If you haven't already done it you can check the introduction thread with the site rules here ; http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?board=34.0

If you have any question feel free to ask. It's great to have you here.


Sluff, Moderator

[goofynina]

Hi Tom,  Welcome to ihatedialysis.com.  I am happy you have found us and joined.  You can ask questions and find many answers here.  Please feel free to read into the posts,  if there is something you need and cannot find, please do not hesitate to just ask and any one of us will be more than happy to help you find what it is that you are looking for.  Your wife is so lucky to have you involved in her care.  Please check out our section we have for Spouses and Caregivers:  http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?board=33.0
I look forward to hearing more from you (and your wife)    


Goofynina/Admin.

[Rerun]

Hi Tom.  I love your attitude man!  Sickness and Health.  That is what we all said.  You found the right place for dialysis patients and their loved ones.  Hope you find it interesting as well as entertaining.  If you have any questions, please ask.

Rerun / Moderator

[angela515]

 

[tamara]

Hi Tom and 

Hope you have as much fun as I do here.

See You Around.


Tamara xxx ooo 

[Joe Paul]

Welcome Tom, good to have you aboard.

[shay_pcb]

 

[nextnoel]

Welcome, Tom!  It's so nice to have such a caring spouse join us! 

[mcjane]

Welcome Tom,
You are both lucky to have each other.

[del]

  Sounds like your relationship and attitude is much like mine and hubby's.

[Bajanne]

Welcome to our caring and sharing community!  Just the place for a person like you to be.  I was very touched when I read your intro.  You seem to have got it right from the start and not letting them do as they like.  Good job!!!   I am so glad that you found this site.  It is very helpful in understanding what you are going through.  That is because we don't have professional gobbledygook here - just plain words from real people who are living this challenge.   I can't explain how much I was helped.  So please, keep posting!!  Ask questions, answer some! 
Remember that this site aims to be wholistic.  We even have an Off-Topic section which can get pretty lively at times.  We have a games arcade, a chat room, and Renal Romance (you need to go there and give some advice - you are a pro at this!)
Here is a group hug for you and your wife.   Our caring thoughts are with you. (How about a photo in our family pictures?)

Bajanne/Moderator

[MJB]

Hi Silverhead,

Welcome to IHD.

Mike

[BigSky]

 

[boxman55]

welcome to IHD  Boxman55

[angieskidney]

  Welcome Tom and wife Sharon! 

[highlite36]

It is good to meet another true Wisconsinite...  :-)  You know what goes great with cheese???  THE PACKERS!!!!  And Sundays are made for both!!!  :-)

[keefer51]

 

[Hawkeye]

Hello and 

[Aldente]

Welcome Tom and Sharon.

[lola]