First Visit to NxStage clinic today!

[cattlekid]

Today, I went for my first visit to my local clinic that does NxStage.  Right away, I was very comfortable with the clinic as it was much smaller and "homier" looking than my current clinic.  I met the RN, the tech and the clinic manager.  They are all very excited for me to start as soon as possible.

We settled on November 1st as a start date.  I will have to talk to my supervisor on Monday about the possibility of breaking up my leftover 5 vacation days into 10 half days so I can do the training without having to worry about taking a lot of extra time off.  I figure that once I explain that I will no longer be leaving early two days a week, he should have no problem approving the use of vacation in this manner.

I also have to call my nephrologist on Monday and let him know that I will be switching centers.  He already has one patient at this new center so it should not be a big issue.  I'm sure he will be happy that I will have found a new modality that better meets my needs. 

I'm sure my current clinic will have a full-on hissy fit when they find out that I am leaving, but too bad so sad.   

I can't wait to get started.....Noob, have you settled on a start date yet?

[boswife]

im so excited for you!      It's a great thing this nxStage, and im glad your getting close to your new beginnings.  I havent gotton to keep up much for a few days here so will just add..... be ready to be overwhelmed hehe...  Some actually just take it all in stride, so hopfully you'll be one for that, but it's amazing once you settle down and just 'let it be' .. 

[cattlekid]

Thanks!   

I told the staff at the clinic I am a fast learner.  They didn't really seem to believe me but they were already pretty amazed by what I know about the machine and how it works. 

I am excited because I let on that I am not happy with my dietitian at my current center - they said that their dietitian is young and understands the needs of young and mobile patients.  Just that alone makes me so excited to jump ship.

[lmunchkin]

Cattlekid, soon you will join the rest of us and you will see what all the HYPE is about!   Good for you, and don't forget to ask questions, me and others will walk you through this. NxStage is an awesome choice, and I promise you, you will be thoroughly glad you chose it!  I believe Looneytunes is having problems with hubby's access, but really has nothing to do with the NxStage machine.

Wow, Nov seems so far away now that you are "excited".  TeeeHeee!!  It will be here before you know it!

Again Congratulations on the switch!

lmunchkin

 

[tyefly]

Yes   you will love it.... I did my training in three weeks.....  and then to home........

You will do fine....  and you will feel great....there are many of us here to help  you with questions  support or just to listen to your story.....   

Great News

[The Noob]

oh! i am so excited for you!!! and thank you to the vets who are there for us, what would we do without you?!

we will be going to toledo for the training, its the only one we can go to but i am hoping we can do it in minimal time, though be careful not to take short cuts.

they are still working on DH fistula and will be starting the button holes next week. he is taking a few days off and using the permacath so to not over tax it.

can't sleep, so up getting some coffee, it is windy and cold and has rained every day for a few weeks. just the thought that we will be able to do this at home, instead of the driving, heavenly. i remember getting up at dawn last winter to get to the clinic, it was 6 degrees. still dark. 1.5 hr drive, 5 hours at clinic, then back.
and of course all you have to get done before/during/after.
so what keeps me motivated are 2 things, that my DH is going to feel better. (i will too) and the ability that, if we happen to be up at 2 am (we often are), we can do the D and be done with it. we can sit in our warm home and do whatever we like, while the winter is raging outside, knowing we don't have to go anywhere.

i've been reading alot too, and quizzing DH, and he is getting every answer correct. i know there is a lot more to learn but i'm confident.
i will miss the families at the clinic, but the support group is going now, so we will still attend the monthly lunch and keep in touch.

lets keep eachother updated on the progress! 

[cattlekid]

woot!!!    Just got a phone call from my neph (yes, at 7:20 PM!!) saying that he is beyond excited that I am starting NxStage.  He said that he has no reservations with me doing it at all.  I will be seeing him once a month to go over labs, ask questions about the machine etc.

A funny....I told him that my last hurdle is figuring out how to get the time off from work.  He said I should be able to use maternity leave since we haven't and aren't having any children.  He said it's only fair. 

[lmunchkin]

Absolutely, you should use Maturnity leave. lol.  Counting down the days for you.  I think Im more excited than you!   Go figure!!!!

lmunchkin

[cattlekid]

Another woot!!     Broke it to my current clinic staff today that I will not be seeing them any longer come the end of the month.  They were understandably a bit upset that I will not be going to another Fresenius clinic, but I told them that I have to do what is best for me which is to go to a clinic that is on my way to and from work instead of totally out of the way.  All is immaterial anyhow because I will be seeing my neph in his office instead of for clinic visits.

Went a lot better than I thought it would have.  I was expecting a kicking and screaming temper tantrum.  Now just to make sure that the SW here doesn't throw a roadblock.  But if she does, I have the big stick of my neph to wield.   

[willowtreewren]

Great going!

Our training was 5 weeks, but that is only because I got a serious MRSA infection on my left hand and couldn't learn to stick my husband for a while. Other than THAT little hiccup, it went well. Steep learning curve at the the beginning, though. 

Aleta

[cattlekid]

I wooted too soon.  As predicted the SW started throwing out all sorts of reasons why I should go to a Fresenisus clinic 45 minutes out of my way instead of the Davita clinic that is on the way home.  I gave her THE LOOK and told her it was fait accompli and she wasn't going to give me any problems with the papework, RIGHT?     She did finally give in after a few minutes.  She even tried to tell me "we hate to lose you" and I so badly wanted to say "no you will hate losing my $2300 per week that I'm bringing into your clinic".  I did refrain from bringing it to that level.     Even the clinic manager didn't have that many objections.  At the end though, she agreed to fill out any necessary paperwork.  Don't hurt yourself, woman.   

Another woot!!     Broke it to my current clinic staff today that I will not be seeing them any longer come the end of the month.  They were understandably a bit upset that I will not be going to another Fresenius clinic, but I told them that I have to do what is best for me which is to go to a clinic that is on my way to and from work instead of totally out of the way.  All is immaterial anyhow because I will be seeing my neph in his office instead of for clinic visits.

Went a lot better than I thought it would have.  I was expecting a kicking and screaming temper tantrum.  Now just to make sure that the SW here doesn't throw a roadblock.  But if she does, I have the big stick of my neph to wield.   

[MooseMom]

She can't exactly hold you hostage, can she.   And you're right...it's the money they hate to lose.  Well, they are not the one's having to live with dialysis.

I am really thrilled that your neph is so on-board with you starting NxStage!  That means you are making a good decision for yourself.  Well done!

[cattlekid]

Cooking along with the NxStage planning!  The new clinic has all of my records from my current clinic - didn't take nearly the amount of arm twisting I thought it would!  I also told the medical director of the clinic that I am leaving - he was a bit disappointed (I'm sure I'm one of the easiest patients he has to deal with!) but he is happy that I am choosing a modality that will work better for me.

The NxStage nurse will be coming to the house on Friday this week for a home visit just to check out the area where I will be doing my treatments.  Luckily, the cleaning ladies will be here on Tuesday 

Next weekend, I'll be cleaning out the closet where I will be storing most of my supplies. Got a bunch of home theater equipment that I need to unload.  Craigslist here I come!