Hello from Alberta!

[Dex]

Hello IHD,

Let me tell you a little about myself, my name is Tom, I'm 23 and live in Calgary, AB, Canada. I'm currently on PD (Baxter), and hate the length of the setups and tear downs. However most of all I hate all the garbage, recycling, and storage it takes up. As I I've been in some sort of kidney failure for my entire life, my outlook on everything is actually quite good compared to others I've met. (I don't have diabetes, I'm not overweight, and my blood levels, BP, heart, and the rest of my body are in outstanding shape)

While I was still a baby, I was diagnosed with a somewhat rarer form of kidney disease, called Kidney Reflux, grade 5. It's basically a problem that stems from the urethra, which allows urine to flow both back and forth from the bladder to the kidneys, which poisoned both kidneys, and eventually killed my left kidney, to the point of needing a nephrectomy(age 7). And polluted the other kidney to deteriorate slowly over the course of 11 years(along time, though a total of around 20 surgeries just on my kidney(s)!), when I was 18 I was under constant supervision of doctors until I eventually fully failed in August of 09’.

I found this forum last night, and it actually provided me with quite a lot of information and comfort, knowing that there are others out there that dislike dialysis, certain restrictions, and the time requirements as much as I do. The only perk here in Canada is the fact that I get most if not all of the federal taxes I pay back, and that I can use dialysis at home free of cost thanks to the Alberta government. (I am extremely thankful for being Canadian, as reading about some of the horror stories from the US, about costs I can only imagine)


Anyways thanks for having me, and if you read my rant thanks again, and I do apologize for any spelling or grammatical errors, as I've never been the greatest writer!

If you have any questions, please feel free, I have nothing to hide, and am generally a very open individual. And don't mind sharing most of my experiences!

Out of curiosity, is anyone else here from Calgary, AB?

[Teepo18]

Hey buddy! Im new on here too so welcome! Everyone is really nice so far lol. I couldnt do PD, its so constant :S how can you go out with friends at night? Wouldnt you have to be back home a certain time to get setup? :s Not for me i guess

[Dex]

Its really not as bad as I made it out to be, as a younger, in fairly good shape man(i still jog, weight lift, and do yoga), I find tairdown when I wake up before work takes me about 5 minutes(put bags in tub, while I shower), when I get home I take those bags and garbage them, and wash my hands. Setting up takes me all of 15 minutes, I grab a sheet, and cover my machine and head out. Due to my lifestyle I talked to my doctor, and am allowed a little flexability in my Dialysis still, I still go on for 7 days a week, however some nights I get home a little later then others (dates, dinner out with friends, golf, baseball, and airsoft) and I usually just change the therapy time(after set up) to suit how long I plan on sleeping for,(ex. usually I goto bed at 10, and I'm up by 6, reading till about 6:30(usually while it finishes). If I get home late I just change it from a 8 hour cycle to a 6, or 6.5 hour cycle. I'm able to drink, however I choose not to( personal preference), and before the surgery I had already been eating healthy, so PD was the logical choice for me. You should look at all the modalities, and see which fits your lifestyle best, I chose PD because of the freedom it allowed me to have, and so I wouldn't miss any work.

[RedMist]

Hi Dex,

Welcome aboard.  I'm not hooked up yet but will be sometime this summer.  I'm very interested in your experience with the different types of dialysis.  One of the things I hope to be able to resume is Tai Chi.  I love the outdoors and have really missed them.  Are you able to get out besides your work commute? 

This site is bursting with information.  Both organized and searchable and less apparent stuff embedded in the stories of our tribe members.

Welcome agsain,

Joe

[Rerun]

Hi Dex, and welcome to IHD.  I've been to Calgary to enjoy the Mall a long time ago when it was the largest in the world.  I'm south of you in Washington State.  It sounds like you have a handle on this.  Just take one day at a time and work towards a new kidney.  Oh, wait, are you eligible for a transplant?   


Rerun, Moderator             

[galvo]

G'day Dex and  .

[looneytunes]

Hi Dex and welcome!   

[Jean]

Hi Dex, sounds like you pretty much know your way around dialysis already. Glad to have you here, and     to IHD.

[monrein]

   to IHD.  Sounds as though you have a great attitude about D and that's so incredibly important in order to get the most out of life.  I'm also a very grateful Canadian (born in Jamaica but with dual citizenship US and Canadian) but I live in Toronto, Ontario
This is a really great site for information and support and I'm glad you found your way here.

[Dex]

Hi Dex, and welcome to IHD.  I've been to Calgary to enjoy the Mall a long time ago when it was the largest in the world.  I'm south of you in Washington State.  It sounds like you have a handle on this.  Just take one day at a time and work towards a new kidney.  Oh, wait, are you eligible for a transplant?

I think the mall your referring to is actually West Edmonton Mall(in Edmonton), as its been one of the largest malls in the world since is was built in the 80's(I think?). I am fully eligible for a transplant, thankfully, however the wait time for cadav, is approx. 5 years, though I do have family and friends testing.

Hi Dex,

Welcome aboard.  I'm not hooked up yet but will be sometime this summer.  I'm very interested in your experience with the different types of dialysis.  One of the things I hope to be able to resume is Tai Chi.  I love the outdoors and have really missed them.  Are you able to get out besides your work commute? 

This site is bursting with information.  Both organized and searchable and less apparent stuff embedded in the stories of our tribe members.

Welcome agsain,

Joe

Hey Joe, I get out ALOT ha ha, the whole reason I'm on dialysis 7 days a week is because of the lifestyle I enjoy(gotta keep the creatine in check, or I bloat up like a blowfish), wensdays/sundays I play a sport known as Airsoft(military simulations, shooting, cardio, some games can last upto or over 8 hours), I play baseball in a beer league usually only once a week(varied days), and I work out on a daily basis, including jogging on my lunch break, I'm still able to bench 150 pounds without problem. I've had to chop allot of exercises out of my daily work out(about 2 hours a day) due to dialysis, but made up with others, yoga has been a fantastic help, even with my PD catheter, I'm still able to do almost everything but a good quality sit up, aswell as any sort of dead lift for fear of a hernia.

To answer your question about Tai Chi, i've never actually tried it, but I do know what it is, once your catheter heals (if on PD) you should be fine, but start with moderation and move up slowly, exercise doesn't only help your appearance(physically, and emotionally), it keeps your veins strong, your heart pumping, and lowers your blood pressure, if you have the energy I'd say go for it!

  to IHD.  Sounds as though you have a great attitude about D and that's so incredibly important in order to get the most out of life.  I'm also a very grateful Canadian (born in Jamaica but with dual citizenship US and Canadian) but I live in Toronto, Ontario
This is a really great site for information and support and I'm glad you found your way here.

Everything I've read so far is so fantastic,  hopefully I can help contribute a few of my experiences to this wonderful site! Glad to see another Canadian

[Zach]

Good to have you join our community!
 

[Red from Canada]

Hi Dex and welcome   I am also on PD and love it,  I am 70 and not really eligible for transplant but this method keeps me feeling much better than Hemo, which I have done from time to time.  You will find more info here than any other site.  Keep us up to date on how you are doing.

Dennise

[Razman]

  Hello from another Canadian.  I used to live in Calgary many years ago.  ( company transfered my wife and I but after 2 years I was transfered back to Toronto ).  Please visit the site often and stay in touch. 

[Riki]

Always love to see other Canadians around.. *G*

I was on PD for almost 5 years, and I loved it. The freedom to go on your own schedule was great. I worked nights, so I'd dialyze during the day.  I was on for 10 hours, but if I needed an extra half hour here or there, I'd cut it out of the dwell time

I do love the Canadian healthcare system, flawed as it may be.  When I go to the US, the dialysis unti I go to takes a lot of medicare and medicaid paitents.  They always seemed rather depressed.  They'd sit in the chair and stare at the wall or try to make out what's on the tv.  I had the techs and the nurses laughing, just cuz that's what I'm used to, but I think it might have annoyed some of the other patients

Weird question.  Don't you have to pay some kind of insurance premium for provincial health care in Alberta?

[Bajanne]

Welcome to our community, Tom!  I can see that you have already settled into IHD.  This is just the place for you to be.  You are now part of the IHD family    Keep reading and keep posting.  I am looking forward to hearing more from you.






Bajanne, Moderator

[peleroja]

Welcome to the group.  I'm also on PD (7 years now), and I could have built a small house from all the recycled boxes and waste products!  Glad you found us.  Come on back and post often.

[jg]

Dex:

Hello I am Jeff. Also living  (the best I can, under the circumstances) in Calgary.
I experienced kidney failure 4 years ago in Kelowna. Moved to Calgary to be close to Foothills Hospital for a transplant.
I was on in centre hemodialysis for 6 months before switching to pd.
Unfortunately, had huge troubles with pd  (internal leaks, infections, exhausted etc.) so in March had a fistula inserted.
Now I am on daily home nocturnal (6 nights x 8 hours).
Physically I am less sick, but I HATE (HEMO) DIALYSIS   
Believe me the pd setup/closing time is minimal compared to home hemo.
It is  " a full time job" with an unbelievable number of possible complications and problems.

But I keep going and I am interested in communicating with you or any other kidney patient in the Calgary area to provide suppport and feedback.
jg               

[lorna]

Hey

iGlad so see there are others around my age on here!