Introducing Myself

[LovinMyDad]

My name is Lisa and I live in Southern California. My dad has had a tough road...

My dad is 52 years old. In January 2007, he was diagnosed with colon cancer (stage 3). All the cancer was removed with surgery but he still had to go through chemo as 1 lymph node was affected. His kidneys were already having decreased function at the time of diagnosis due to poorly comtrolled diabetes. Between the diabetes and the chemo his kidneys are dry. He just started dialysis in March and has already had an infection in his chest port which kept him in the hospital for a couple of weeks.

I hope I will be able to gain more understanding of his condition with my posts.

I wish you all the best with your dialysis and through this journey. "I hate dialysis" but thank god for it as my dad would not be here with us today without it!

-Lisa

[petey]

Welcome, Lisa!  Your dad is lucky to have you!  And, we here at IHD are glad to have you join us.

[willieandwinnie]

LovinMyDad. You should be very proud of yourself for helping your Dad with this terrible disease. We are here for you and you'll find lots of answers and wonderful folks to support you. Ask all the questions you want. We will give you the best advice that has worked for us. Catheters have to be taken care of very carefully to avoid infections. Is he doing in-center dialysis? Again welcome Lisa and keep posting. 

[annabanana]

Welcome, Lisa. I am a caregiver, too. This is the perfect site for information and understanding. 

[monrein]

  Lisa.  I'm just a couple years older than your Dad and know for sure he is lucky to have you caring about him so much.  It's great that you're wanting to learn more about his illness because then you can understand better what he really goes through.  Post often and feel free to ask anything or vent anytime.




EDITED:  Fixed smiley error - Bajanne, Moderator

[rose1999]

. "I hate dialysis" but thank god for it as my dad would not be here with us today without it!

-Lisa

Hi Lisa and welcome.  I feel just as you do, my Dad is only here because of dialysis, it rules (and to some extent ruins) our lives but without it there would be no Dad and I love him like you love yours 

[LovinMyDad]

Thanks for the replies! 

My dad's wife of over 20 years is his primary care giver. I talk to him daily and neither of them are really the researchers that I am. That's how I found you all here. Just lurking I have found so much info!

-Lisa

[Ambo]

Welcome Lisa and family!
There is tons of information and insight out there.... you just have to grasp it.  Hope this finds your dad feeling finer than a frog's hair!  Best of luck to you and your dad!

[flip]

Welcome y'all. You have found a nice place. I know how your dad must feel. I started radiation treatments the day before I started dialysis and it was pure hell for 6 weeks. Now I'm cancer free and feeling good. Dialysis is tough enough by itself and when you add other problems, it's miserable. Tell him that if I can do it, anybody can. (BTW, I'm a few years older)

[MyssAnne]

Hi Lisa!! Your dad is so lucky to have such a daughter!!!!!  Welcome aboard, I hope you gain what you need from this site!!

 

[Romona]

  Lisa!

[Sluff]

Welcome Lisa, sorry your Dad is having the problems and I hope the road smooths a little in the near future. Thanks for being such a good daughter that he can depend on. Read all you can and ask questions as often as you need to. Post often. Give your Dad an extra hug from us here at IHD.

Sluff/Admin

[Ang]

 

[kitkatz]

Welcome to the site!  I am glad to see someone who is supporting their Dad up on the boards.  Welcome. If you need support ask questions!