May I join your group?

[pmbaer]

Hello to all:

My name is Patrice.  I was born with a birth defect that caused kidney damage when I was young.  I was three years old before the doctors understood what the problem was and fixed it, however, the damage to my kidneys had been done.  Due to the damage I've lived my 42 years with one kidney.  Two children, lots of stress and age later my remaining kidney is fizzling out.  I've been on the transplant list for the past 11 months and I've been kicking, screaming, and dragging my feet to avoid dialysis.  

Unfortunately my doctor will now have his way and I am now preparing for PD  .  I'm pretty bumbed out right now.  Surgery is Monday.  I'm glad I found this site as it fits my mood perfectly.  I've read many of your posts and I already appreciate the valuable advise, experiences, and laughter you all share with eachother.  I'm such a newby to dialysis but I hope that I can be of some support to the site.

As I noted above I have two teenagers, thank God they are teenagers, if they were babies I'd really be bumbed out. My husband runs his own Architectural firm so he's already a pretty busy man.  He is also a great support.  I don't think, however that he has a clue as to how our life is about to change.  I have the best job in the world.  I'm completing my masters in Psychology.  I work in a psychiatric unit.  I have so much fun there my husband often thinks I'm on a night release program and i'm actually a patient.  Crazy people need someone to love them......that's me.

Thank you for this web site, whoever started it.  Thank you all in advance for your knowlege and support.

[Sluff]

Welcome to IHD.com

[Rerun]

If you love crazy people you have come to the right place!   

Welcome to our site.  You can be "supported" for a while right here.  Get your feet on the ground with dialysis and then worry about helping others.

Glad you found us.

 

[anja]

Welcome, Patrice, to our wonderful community that was started by the equally wonderful, Epoman!  He has spent much $ and time to make this site what it is today and we are all so thankful for him and his continued efforts. Glad you chose to try PD, I feel it is the least of all evils where  dialysis is concerned.  You will be surprised how you will adapt to fitting it into your lifestyle, instead of the other way around.  First you will learn manual and then you will have the chance to have a cycler ( should you get a choice, choose Baxter, but that is just my opinion)  Best of luck and we'll be thinking of you on Monday (the surgery is pretty non-eventful and won't take long to heal from)       Love your attitude, we have lots of wizenheimers here that  also  cheer us up!     Anja

[Joe Paul]

Welcome Patrice, good to have you aboard.

[Bajanne]

Welcome to our community. Of course you can join our group!  It was created just for you (and me, and everyone else!)  I see that you already have felt the ambiance of our group, and that you are going to fit right it.  We have some 'crazies' here just waiting for you (no, Goofynina, I did not mention your name)
Please keep posting, keep sharing, and let us know how things are developing with you and your dialysis.

[Ken Shelmerdine]

Welcome Patrice
You'll get lots of info on this site from some very warm and kind people who know exactly what you're going through. I only joined this group a couple of weeks ago and apart from getting a fantastic welcome I've learned a few things that I would never have learned at clinic. Epoman deserves a medal for the time and energy he must spend keeping this site going.
Looking forward to your posts. 

[Black]

 

[mallory]

Welcome, Patrice!  I just had my PD catheter put in last Wednesday.  I was scared, but it really wasn't bad, just like everyone here tells you.  I know what you mean about trying not to do dialysis, I really don't feel sick yet so I didn't think I needed to start dialysis yet.  But, everyone says if you wait until you are sick, it's much harder to do dialysis.

You'll love the site, Epoman has done a great job.  Looking forward to your posts!   

[boxman55]

The most important thing to know is that you are most welcome here as I have found out. I started dialysis 3 months ago it sucks big time but this site gives you a lot of information and personal experiences that you can relate too. Best of luck to you

[Zach]

Glad to have you here!!     

[DeLana]

Welcome, Patrice!

I think you'll like it here, and you will get lots of support and useful advice from those who have been there.

IMO, PD is an excellent choice for starting dialysis (it's surprising that few individuals choose it), especially if you expect it to be temporary as you do while you are waiting for a transplant. 

Best wishes,

DeLana   

[pmbaer]

Thank you all for the warm welcome and encouragement.  I'm still not looking forward to Monday.  One of my favorite things is a long hot bath.  I think I'll spend all weekend in the tub.  Pbaer

[goofynina]

Hi Patrice,  Just wanted to wish you a warm Welcome and Good luck on Monday,  dont worry it will all go ok and you will heal soon and be back in that tub sooner than you know it