Hello Everyone

[Lucinda]

 I am obviously new to this site.  Still finding my way around.  I am going into hospital tomorrow to have a graft and then I will be starting dialysis early next year.  I live in Sydney, Australia and I am the general manager of a large company here.

I am being given a bit of grief because my doctors think I should be reacting very differently to this whole process.  In fact, they suggested I get some help because they don't believe "the reality of it has hit me yet".

I'm fine.  I intend to take each day as it comes.  I just see that I have another few months of no machine so what is the point of spending that whole time worrying about what is to come.

I have a hereditary problem and have watched numerous aunts and uncles go through both dialysis and transplant.  My Dad is also on dialysis.  I have opted for nocturnal dialysis at home as I believe this will fit my lifestyle best. A number of my friends have offered to have tests done to see if they would be a suitable donor but I am not ready for that.

I have written a few books (romance novels) sorry boys!!! and I am just about to put my experiences with this stage in my life into a book as well.  Just little issues that I have already come across with transfusions and iron infusions and response to side effects have been a useful starting point. I have always looked at life very positively and have already had to overcome one obstacle in that I was dyslexic as well.  I am quite proud that I went on to become an editor at Australia's largest selling newspaper.

I want to stay very involved in life.  I am 45, I have four stepchildren and three step-grandchildren with two on the way.  I'm my husband's fifth try at marriage and they tell me dialysis is hard on you!!! He is handling the news pretty well but we're not there yet so it will be interesting to see how he takes it.  If all is lost there I have two terrifc dogs - one is an Irish Wolfhound cross - huge - and the other is a poodle cross - tiny.  I have a "surrogate" daughter - she is 17, gorgeous and a cancer survivor - she had ovarian cancer at 13. She gives me a million good reasons to laugh!

I am doing overtime on the web, searching to make the right choices.  I am sure that taking each day as it comes is probably the way to go. I thank each and everyone of you for your stories - they are very encouraging and very inspirational.  While I am on the road to a totally new world reading all your stories gives me comfort and makes me realise that you really don't need to take this trip on your own.  There are certainly some very special people out there.  Love to you all!!!!

[Joe Paul]

Welcome Lucinda, good to have you aboard.

[angieskidney]

Welcome Lucinda!!  I just got my fistula this year .. so far it is going well. Hope all goes well for you too! 

[Sluff]

Welcome to IHD Lucinda.

[RichardMEL]

G'day Lucinda from down south (Melbourne). I don't  see a real problem with how you feel. Before I started, and I had 13 years warning, I tried to do everything BUT think about it. Oh, don't get me wrong, I always tried to plan with dialysis in mind, and I did what my doc told me, but I didn't  sit there day by day thinking about "when I start..." and tried to not focus on it.

Sounds like you have had to deal with enough in your family as it is but likely you will come through it OK and continue to write those romance books (and others)

Good to see you here and good luck with the graft!

[nextnoel]

Hi, Lucinda, welcome to IHD!  Sounds as if you're well on top of things! 

Maybe some of the characters from IHD will eventually appear in your books (thinly veiled, of course - personally, I've always wanted to be "thinly veiled" - it sounds so . . . interesting).

[jbeany]

 

A positive attitude does help.  Don't let the docs tell you how to feel - it's your health and your head.  If you have family with similar problems, none of this is going to be a big shock to you.

On the days you're not feeling so positive, though - this is a good place to be, too.  We welcome all ranting, and understand the urge to whine every once in a while!

[Nan]

Lucinda, Welcome...welcome!  This is a new beginning in your life, a new chapter, and as a writer, you know that you have control of the following chapters. Having a "support system" is extremely important, you have found the right place for that. Please come here often, you will find all the answers to your guestions, and feel the understanding and caring friends, that share your same life experience. Take care, Nan

[Zach]

Welcome to the community, Lucinda!  You have a great outlook, and that's more than half the battle!
Looking forward to your posts.
 

[mallory]

Welcome, Lucinda, glad to have you here!   

[Fighter]

Hi Lucinda, I agree you've got the right attitude. Welcome to IHD.com 

[Razman]

I'm sending a message from Canada and just wanted to let you know that I just joined yesterday.  I am also not on dialysis yet but will be soon and like you I am searching for all the info that I can get. It's great to know that others face the same problems and together we can share smiles and tears but in the end we can help each other face the next day. Keep us up to date on how things are going. 

[angieskidney]

I'm sending a message from Canada and just wanted to let you know that I just joined yesterday.  I am also not on dialysis yet but will be soon and like you I am searching for all the info that I can get. It's great to know that others face the same problems and together we can share smiles and tears but in the end we can help each other face the next day. Keep us up to date on how things are going. 

Have you started your own introduction thread yet? You can put your name in the Subject line so we can learn who you are

[anja]

  Lucinda, hope all goes well for you at the hospital.  Glad you have joined our community!

[Bajanne]

Welcome to our community!  That was a lovely introduction - the kind that Epoman (our administrator) likes.  I think that you are very fortunate to have come upon us at this particular point.  There is lots for you to learn here.  This community was a godsend to me as I found it just before I started dialysis.  Please take advantage of all that this site has to offer.  It will all help as you face this real challenge.  Let us hear from you.

[Lucinda]

Thank you everyone for your warm welcome.

I was supposed to have my graft done today but got to the hospital and the doctor had an emergency so now I am going back on Friday.

The timing wasn't that bad though as I had tickets to Elton John tonight and I was going to give them away but ended up being able to go. Robbie Williams is here in Australia also at the moment so we have some talent floating around.

Like I said before, I think you are all terrifc and obviously so supportive.

I look forward to chatting more to all of you. xx

[Rerun]

Lucinda, welcome to our site.  Yeah, I wouldn't miss Elton John for a graft procedure!  I love Robin Williams.  I remember the first time I saw him on "Mork and Mindy".  I laughed my butt off!

With seeing your family go through dialysis and transplants then you are acclimated to dialysis.  You know people live through this and it doesn't scare you.  You are doing fine.

I enjoyed your introduction and look forward to hearing from you.

 

[DeLana]

 

Good to have you here.  Your excellent attitude will make a big difference (and no, you don't need a psych consult for that ).

Hope all went well with your surgery.  Did you actually have a graft inserted or did they join an artery and a vein (usually called a fistula, but terminology varies - some still use the outdated term shunt  for all peripheral accesses!)

Again, welcome!

DeLana   

[charee]

From another Aussie , My fistula is 5 weeks old and I'm starting dialysis early January too. Are you doing home hemo ?You will learn heaps here its a great site.

[Lucinda]

Well. I had the graft done on Friday....not too comfortable initially are they?  Still typing with one hand. DeLana...it was a graft...not a fistula....viens too small.  I am going to do home hemo charee...in Sydney.... but my bloods were good today and blood pressure good so might be able to delay a little longer.  Just want to have my honeymoon in The Maldives in January and then I won't feel cheated!!!

I am a bit of a`computer ignoramis and I keep getting "moderated" to the right place.  Not doing it deliberately....just posting incorrectly.  I'll try and update mt profile to include an email address so anyone who wants to contact me can.
 

[kitkatz]

Everyone gets moderated around here at one time or another.  It's cool.  It is a big site and we all get lost sometimes!

[Fox_nc]

Everyone gets moderated around here at one time or another.  It's cool.  It is a big site and we all get lost sometimes!

yup, yup . . . Just part of initiation . . . 

[gizmar]

Great attitude - you've got what it takes to survive and thrive.  I love that you're a writer - I'm always in awe of people who can put a whole sentence together and make it sound fantastic. 
Did you say honeymoon in January - congratulations. 
Great to have you here.

[jedimaster]