Hi from Western NY

[DarkSoul0703]

Hi everyone.  My name is Belinda and I am 43 years old. I have been diabetic for over 30 years.  I have Type II and started dialysis in March of 2010.  I have a list of other health problems that go with my diabetes, but then again who doesn't?  I had a quad bypass on my heart in January 2009 and was in the hospital for three months from that.  The kidney doctor here kept saying "let's wait 6 months and we'll see then about putting in a fistula," and it was so upsetting.  In March 2010 I ended up in the ER with kidney failure, they had no choice but to put me in surgery to put a catheter in my neck.  I was in ICU for a while because I wasn't stabilized.  Back in November of 2010, they finally put a fistula in my left wrist, but it isn't maturing.  I have the catheter in my neck still, but it doesn't work right all the time.  I clot the lines or they have to switch the lines with my catheters and I don't dialysis right.  In June 2010, I had a fem pop bypass on my left leg, and two weeks later I was in a car accident.  As to make things any harder... lol.

I am a lesbian and my partner and caretaker is 31 years old.  She has three boys who are 6, 8 and 10 years old.  We stay pretty busy most of the time with sports and doctors appointments.  I do dialysis three times a week and it's taking it's toll on me. 

I was born and raised in Virginia.  I moved to Buffalo, NY in 2007.  On January 27, 2008, I met Jennifer, my partner in a pogo Tripeaks room.  We have been together ever since.  What else would you like to know?  Just ask.. I will share..

Thanks

Belinda

[paul.karen]

Welcome to IHD DarkSoul.

Sounds like you have been through the wringer.  I hope that they can sort thihngs out for you and get you on a good regular dialysis schedule that will fit in with your busy lifestyle.

Glad you found us here.

[paris]

     Glad you found us!   If someone had told me 5 years ago that I would make lifelong friends on the internet, I would have said they were crazy.   But, as you found Jennifer, you will find so many friends here that understand  exactly how you feel.  It is a great group of people who truly care about each other.   Please keep posting and sharing more of your story.  Ask any questions -- we have lots of people who love to give answers   LOL!     Looking forward to getting to know you better.   Welcome to IHD.




paris, Moderator

[billmoria]

  Hi Belinda   add 20 years to your age and switch gender and we have a lot in common. I live with Dave in London; I am 66 and we have been together for 14 years. Diabetic for 35 years with all the assorted that comes with it - minus the heart problem.
This is a good place. I hate to be the first to tell  you but you are going to have to cut down on your busy schedule. You will find it difficult being a good partner and parent if you are too tired. I am sure you partner and  your kids will understand - or grow to.

[galvo]

G'day, Belinda, and . What, please, is a "pogo Tripeaks room"??

[DarkSoul0703]

Thanks for the welcome.  It's nice to find a place where people hate dialysis.. because they don't understand what it's like or that I am too young to give up.  What they don't understand is the affects that dialysis is doing to me.  Even though we stay busy with sports and appointments.. it's mostly Jennifer that stays busy.  She is disabled as well and she does all the running around.  She gets the boys to cub scouts, and to sports.  If I have a good day I try to make a game or two, but that is rare.  In the beginning dialysis wasn't so bad.  I go Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 6:30 am to 10:30 am.  It works out nicely.  Except for the fact that for over 8 months now, I am throwing up after dialysis and throughout the rest of the day and on my off days, I am usually very nauseous and sometimes yes throwing up again, so it makes it hard for me to do anything.  Recently my strength has been getting weaker.  People don't understand when I say I want to go off dialysis to die in peace because they figure I should fight.  But they don't deal with throwing up all the time.  A simple drink or a bite to eat will make me throw up.  I have to take compazine every morning before dialysis and sometimes they give me Reglan during dialysis and it doesn't help. 

I have had many discussions with Jennifer about going off Dialysis in the coming months so I can die.  She is coming to that if I die in peace that way then it's better then me dying with hatred and anger as I have a lot of it because of the dialysis. 

[peleroja]

Hi, Belinda, and welcome to the group.  Lots of good information and friends here.  Glad you found us!