William welcome to IHD. I too started dialysis going straight on to PD with a Baxter cycler at age 58 and I've been doing it for two years now. I know how you must be feeling because although I knew for years that eventually I would have to dialyse it still comes as a shock and fills you with fear. But I can honestly say that for me that fear was needless. After a few initial problems I soon realised that it was not the life changing experience that I had dreaded.
Because the dialysis takes place at night it doesn't really take up much of my time apart from setting it up each night which takes about 10 minutes. I still do everying I used to do pre dialysis except swim in the sea and I still work full time.
Just a couple of tips. The exit site for the catheter is usually about level with the bellybutton and about 4 to 6 inches to one side of it. If you have a favoured side for sleeping on for example maybe your right side, then have the catheter fitted to your left. You can still sleep on the side that the catheter is fitted as long as you make sure you don't double it over when you lie on it.
Also I would recomend having full anaesthetic rather than local when you have the surgery.
If you use a Baxter and the slight noise it makes keeps you awake then there are a couple of things you can do to make it quieter. If it does becaome a problem just ask and I'll explain what to do.
Keep us posted and good luck
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