My grandmother started dialysis today.....almost

[Adam_W]

Today was supposed to be my grandmother's first dialysis treatment, and it went ok, until the tech put her venous needle in. Her arterial went in fine, and she said it didn't really even hurt (no lidocaine), which is better than I can say for my first cannulation. Then the tech put the venous needle in, and she said that it started hurting and bleeding all over the place. Then, the dreaded swelling. Yup, the poor thing got an infiltration right off the bat. She wasn't able to do today's treatment but she should be able to dialyze Wednesday. She's not upset at the tech, because she knows that it can happen to the best, no matter how experienced they are. The tech was the one who was upset, and my grandmother was comforting her. She's got a really good fistula, but even the best access can surprise someone who has never stuck it. So, on Wednesday it will be "first dialysis take two.....ACTION"

Adam

[tamara]

Adam,

give this to your grandma  and  all goes well on Wednesday

Tamara xxx ooo 

[Jannie]

Sorry she got infiltrated, the same thing happened to me when I first started. I got infiltrated with my second treatment. My arm puffed up and the muscle got hard. The techs and nurses told me to apply ice for one day,then heat after that. I was black and blue and swollen for about 6 weeks, but my arm gradually got better. I never missed a treatment. I go three times a week. They kept telling me "It always gets better" And now I see they're right,.  Give your grandmother my best and tell her "It will get better."

[del]

A lot of people get infiltrated at the beginning.  Hopefully things will go well on Wednesday. 

[paddbear0000]

Tell your grandmother I wish her well!

[Adam_W]

Well, today has been a wild day. My grandmother is now in the hospital waiting to have a catheter put in. She woke up this morning not feeling well, and ultimately she ended up going to the emergency room. They drew labs and determined she MUST have dialysis now. Her fistula is still swollen up the size of a baseball, and it will not be able to be used tomorrow. She's currently waiting to be transferred to the hospital that her doctor is affiliated with so she can have a catheter put in and have dialysis. She should have been transferred hours ago, but the hospital is full, and they are waiting for a vacancy. It looks like she'll be spending the night in the ER. We know she'll be fine once she is finally able to dialyze, but this has been so frustrating.

[goofynina]

Adam, if your Grandma is as strong minded as you are, she will be just fine, i am so glad she has you in her life, having someone actually know what you are going through is always a good source of comfort and support, please let her know we are all hoping she is feeling good soon. 

[paris]

How fortunate your grandmother is to have you in her life!  Your knowledge will be such a great source of support to her.  Lots of prayers that the next few days go better for her. Please keep us posted

[Adam_W]

Well, she finally got a permacath in and had her first treatment today. She's kind of sore from the permacath (oh boy I can relate to that-I've had a total of three of them), and her first tx only lasted about two hours. She did pretty well, but she's tired. Her first four hour tx is tomorrow morning. She's very strong, and even though she's had a rough start with the fistula infiltration, I know she's going to do very well.

Adam

[paris]

Glad to hear things were better today.  Tell her she has lots of people who send her good wishes.   

[Romona]

Best Wishes to your Grandmother. 

[angela515]

  For you and especially your grandmother.

[Sluff]

My thoughts are with your Grandma. 

[Phurball]

hELLO EVERYONE !!!  I am Adams Grandmother.   I am doing fine now, but last week was lousy.  As Adam told you the tech not only infiltrated me once,  the clinic director came over and tried again and yep he did it the second time.  So the arm is out of commission for a few weeks. 

My sweet grandson is my HERO and my inspiration.  Because of him and this website, nothing was a great surprise to me. 

Hugs to him and you all !!

 

[paddbear0000]

Great to meet you! I'm glad you have someone so close who you can share your experiences with. Adam is a great guy. You sound like you're doing well. Keep it up! 

[Joe Paul]

Hello Phurball, glad you are doing better this week. Sorry they wrecked you arm as a start to dialysis, I hope all continues to go well for you.

[Sluff]

  back to you Phurball, just hang in there hun. 

[goofynina]

Hey Phurball, what a pleasure it is to have you here, we love your Grandson, he  has been a big inspiration to alot of us and i am sure he is yours as well.  Look forward to hearing more from you soon, take care 

[MyssAnne]

Welcome, Phurball!!!  I am so sorry to hear that you have had such trouble right off the bat. You're going to a clinic in Danville, is that right? My fiancee lives in New Ross, so he isn't too far from you!  You have a cool grandson, I'm sure you know that already!  Are you planning on nxstage as well? 

I sure hope it gets better for you. I'm using a catheter temporarily while my tube heals for pd, and I must say it's not as painful, they basically plug it in, and go.