Greetings from NJ

[carol1987]

Hello!
I have been lurking on your site for a little bit and am just about to begin Dialysis.

I am a Polycystic Kidney Disease Patient who was diagnosed 9 years ago ,2 months after having my 3rd child.
There is no known family history of PKD in my background.  My fistula was placed a year ago on April Fools Day and I have been on the transplant wait list for over a year.  Family and friends have been tested but none are able to donate. 
My GFR is 6 and my Neph has been monitoring me closely and we have been delaying the start of Dialysis because I have been feeling pretty good.  Next Tuesday I will  be visiting the Dialysis clinic  and will be discussing scheduling.
So of course my emotions right now range from fear of the procedure /lifestyle changes  to thankfulness that dialysis is even an option!!
This page has already been such a great help in preparing me and I look forward to being an active member here!!

Carol in NJ

[Red from Canada]

Welcome Carol!  If you've been "lurking" for a while, you may have read of your options.  With three children to look after, you may want to consider PD.  Especially the night cycler, which will leave you free during the dayhttp://ihatedialysis.com/forum/Smileys/classic/welcomesign.gif

[carol1987]

Hi Red!
Thank you... yes reading here and some other sites has been very helpful!
I do read a lot about the home options...  right now I am going to begin at a center with hemo.  My concerns about home care are that I do not have much space, i think I want to keep the medical things separate from home and I also have 2 cats and am concerned about infection.  Of course I may change my mind after experiencing dialysis at a center.   I met a very nice nurse at the hospital who is on PD and she had started at a HD center and then switched to PD at home... so I will certainly remain open to options .

[cookie2008]

Hi Carol,  Welcome to IHD, I also have PKD and live in northern NJ.

[texasstyle]

You have come to a great place!  I imagine you're so filled with so many emotions right now. Here is a great place to meet people in your situation, learn abou the dialysis process, and get support and encourgment. It is a life style "change", but don't let it "change" your life! There will  still be pleanty you can do. - Carolyn (born and raised in Mercer County lol)

[Jean]

Hi and  to IHD. Glad you found us.

[Rerun]

Hi Carol and welcome to IHD.  I'm so glad you joined us.  It sounds like your mind is in a good place with this new change.  Come here with any questions or concerns.  You will do fine.

Rerun, Moderator         

[cloud393]

Hello from another PKD member.  I was diadnosed 20 years ago and have been on dialysis for 1 1/2 years.  I started on PD then went to in center hemo and am now doing home hemo with NxStage.  If you have any questions, just ask.

[looneytunes]

Hi Carol and welcome to the IHD gang1   

[kellyt]

Hi Carol!    And Welcome to the best support site out there.    I look forward to hearing more about you.  Good luck with dialysis.  I was going to do nocturnal hemo.  My Neph. felt that would have been best for me.  I don't have children, though. 

[galvo]

G'day Carol and  .

[carol1987]

Thank you all for the welcome!!!   
I tour my clinic tomorrow ...  I was away this weekend and that is the thing most troublesome to me right now...  thinking about the scheduling and planning.....
but i was talking to my family and friends about how wonderful this site and others are...how nice it is to be able to prepare as much as possible by reading other peoples stories!!