New Center

[ODAT]

They just opened a new dialysis center in Spencerport with 16 patient stations. My mom was transferred there from Unity Park Ridge where they had 26 patient stations. I haven't visited there yet. She said everyone has their own flat screen tv and they are given their own headphones. A few of the nurses came over from her other place so she sees familiar faces.

She has 16 staples in her left arm - inside where the elbow bends. Go in 3 weeks to get staples out. The fistula's thrill is going strong! Unfortunately, mom fell and fractured her right shoulder.    So now she has limited use of both arms. We worked out a plan to get her through this.

[sullidog]

I hope she recovers well and likes her new center! Staples for a fistula? I thought they used desolving sutures.
Troy

[Rerun]

ODAT, the new center for your Mom sounds great.  Our TV's are up on the ceiling and I can't read the menu to see what I'm watching. 

I hope she heals fast.                   

[ODAT]

Yeah, staples sound more painful and I was surprised when I first changed her bandage how many she had - two rows of eight.

Mom didn't cringe too much when the doc took the staples out. She told him that her hand gets so cold that it hurts and also goes numb. He said that sometimes the fistula takes too much blood away from the hand. If it isn't hard to deal with, then do nothing. If it's painful and numb all the time, tie off fistula. It seems to be doing better as long as she "dangles" it to get the blood to her hand.

I was going to visit the new center, but the street is new and I couldn't get exact directions. I ask mom which way do you turn when you get here? and she can't say. lol

[M3Riddler]

Yeah, staples sound more painful and I was surprised when I first changed her bandage how many she had - two rows of eight.

Mom didn't cringe too much when the doc took the staples out. She told him that her hand gets so cold that it hurts and also goes numb. He said that sometimes the fistula takes too much blood away from the hand. If it isn't hard to deal with, then do nothing. If it's painful and numb all the time, tie off fistula. It seems to be doing better as long as she "dangles" it to get the blood to her hand.

I was going to visit the new center, but the street is new and I couldn't get exact directions. I ask mom which way do you turn when you get here? and she can't say. lol

ODAT,

It sounds as if your mom may be experiencing Steal Syndrome in her fistula hand. This is a condition where the fistula is "robbing" the rest of the hand of blood flow thus causing the symptoms you describe.  For more information, just google "steal syndrome in fistulas" and it will bring many reults regarding the issue.

Regarding the staples, I was wondering if your mom had a vein transposition to create her fistula. This is where they bring the vein closer to the surface of the skin due to the vein being deep in the arm. Usually this requires two surgeries. One to create the fistula and the other to bring the vein closer to the surface after it has matured for a while. This usually requires a larger incision and thus may require staples.
I have never heard of anyone using staples for a regular fistula surgery that doesnt require a transposition, but Im sure its possible.

///M3R

[Mimi]

Hi Odat it was good to hear from you and your Mom.  Sorry she is having the fistula problems.  Hope it will straighten out soon.  I still have not started D  but I am not complaining.   Tell your Mom hello for me.

Love, Mimi

[thegrammalady]

sorry to hear your mom fell. it's something i really worry about. the last time i fell i broke my foot. hope she's feeling better soon.