A scared wife looking for answers

[mommak]

Thank you for this site.  My husband is currently in the hospital.  A few weeks ago he had what we thought was the flu.  When he didn't get better in a week we went to the doctor.  She did some labwork and we found 2 interesting pieces of information.  First,  he was septic.  Second his 3 month blood sugar was 14.6. He had not previously been diagnosed as diabetic.  He was admitted to the hospital.  They found a cyst on his liver and drained 70ccs of fluid from it.  Then suddenly he stopped being able to urinate.  Ultrasound of his bladder showed it was empty.  Labs were showing levels that were elevating rapidly.  He was started on dialysis.  The tell me it is temporary but in the meantime I have a lot to learn.
I am scared,  we have 3 little girls who adore there daddy.  I can not imagine life without him.

[Traveller1947]

Hi mommak,  Let me be the first of many good people who welcome you to this site and who will support you and answer your questions and calm your fears, if that's possible.  It must be terrifying to have all of this happen so suddenly, your husband so sick and three young children to take care of.  Please take care of yourself first and foremost.  Your husband is getting the care he needs in the hospital and dialysis will remove toxins and he'll start to feel better.  It's a difficult journey you're on, no wonder you're scared, but post here and you will find much sympathy and many answers.  All the best to you.

[billybags]

First of all mommak welcome to the site. What you are going through is scary, scary for your husband and scary for your self and children. Take one day at a time. He is in the best place and they are looking after him. The kidneys are funny things and some people get ill and are put on dialysis for a short while so the body can heal its self, I really hope this is the case, but if not dialysis is not the end of the world. Please keep coming here and letting us know how things are going. Be positive for your husband and family. They do not like putting people on dialysis unless absolutely necessary, with good care and meds you will have him home in no time.

[Poppylicious]

  mommak.  I'm so sorry that you *had* to find us here, but I'm glad you did.  We can offer you lots of support and hope and advice.  *fingers crossed* it really is only temporary.  Keep us updated on how things are going. 

*huggles* for you and your little girls (and hubby too, obviously).

[Rerun]

Hi mommak, and welcome to IHD.  There is a lot to learn about dialysis.  I would trust them if they say it is acute renal failure which means his kidney function will return once they fix the other things.  Start slow and learn what you need to for acute renal failure.  If they start talking about putting in a 'permanent' access then you are probably in for the long haul.  In either case renal failure is not a death sentence.  Lots of people here have been on dialysis for over 20 years.

Keep us posted.

Rerun, Moderator     

[willowtreewren]

First you need some hugs......

 

The difference between chronic kidney failure and acute (which sounds worse) is that with acute kidney failure, your husband will very likely regain kidney function once the factors that caused it are corrected. When someone has chronic kidney failure....well, there isn't too much hope to regain that function.

I know that things are scary when you are in the hospital. Health care providers forget that you don't really understand what they are telling you. Let's get your dear husband taken care of so he can go home and be with you and your girls.

 

Aleta

[Gerald Lively]

Please consider these comments from a guy who was hauled into the hospital unconscious, hallucinating and shouting expletives.  Yep, that was me. I tried to punch-out the clerk who insisted that I fill-out forms before a doctor could see me.  I went in for a colonoscopy and ended up on a dialysis machine. (Long story) It was my observant and loving wife who saved my buns.
Dialysis turns out to be far from a fatality and if your husband has to go that route, thank your lucky stars.  It sounds like he may recover completely, that is even better.  There is no alternative, so relax; he is in the right place at the right time.  Good on you.
Now, I am a cranky old curmudgeon and I demand to know everything before it is done to me.  I cope through humor and I do a lot of coping around these parts.  I am active or was active; riding a Harley, living in the mountains, chasing wild animals while wearing my bear skin outfit, and chasing revenuers away from the still.  But all of that changed.  Yes, the wild animals don’t get as much exercise as they are used too.  Besides, that bear skin wardrobe was itchy.  Now I watch my Raiders lose football games, watch my Cal Bears lose football games to the extent that my wife bought me a Kindle Fire.  Now I am the champ of Kindle hearts games.  I write for several forums and I have convinced myself that the landscape outside is finished whereas before it was never finished.  That’s what I do.  Life goes on and I will adjust, maybe, some of the time.  Okay, now and then.
Finally I have retired.  Whew!
gerald

[sullidog]

My story is very similar to your husbands. I also thought I had the flu and was admited to the hospital. I had to go on dialysis. My urine function did return though unfortunetly my kidneys full function did not, but this site has been very helpful in supportive and will answer a lot of questions you or your husband may have.

[mommak]

 Hubby was sent home on Wednesday and had his first outpatient dialysis session yesterday.  I am praying that his energy will start to return soon.  Our lives are so busy, and it is hard to see him laid up like this.  I know that he is expected to get better, but it is very hard to see then end of the tunnel right now.

[rsudock]

WELCOME! 

Now when you say "get better" what exactly do you mean? The docs think his kidney function will come back and he won't have to do dialysis any longer?

Hang in there!

xo,
R

[mommak]

Rsudock...  Thd Nephrologist says his kidney function was good before.  I know just before he was hospitalized his urine was having issues.  I think sugar  and ketones but at the time we were focusing on diabetes issues. 
He seems to be peeing a lot more today, I think.
If i look at his arms,  any scars that he has are very obvious.  Is that from retaining fluids?

One more thing.   His is having muscle and joint pain in his shoulders and arms.  Any suggestions about what will help?

[shorty590000]

I am new to this as well as you are... but i just wanted to let you know my story is similar to your husbands.. I too, was septic shock... although I did not have flu like symptoms.. Severe pain, probably the worse pain I have ever felt in my life, was occuring in my back... they never have told me what caused this pain. but obviously it was the kidneys.. that is what sent me to the ER and they realized how deep in trouble I was.... the told me in the beginning(May 1011) that dialysis would just be temporary.. and it was . I was on it until October and I am now off with 18% kidney function.. So hopefully, your husband will get to come off too,, soon... I really feel pretty good...I keep reading how bad I am supposed to feel with such low kidney function, but I feel almost normal... keep us updated... really would like to know how things turn out..hoping for the best..

[looneytunes]

Hi mommak and welcome to IHD!     It sounds like you all have been on quite a ride lately and I hope your hubby's kidneys start up strong very soon.

[mommak]

Thank you all so much for your support.  Mike's labwork has all been returned as fine.  He was discharged from Dialysis and they removed his permacath yesterday.  He will be followed by Nephrology for a while to make sure that everything continues to go well, but for now everything looks good.
 
thank you again for all of your kind words and guidance through a scary time.  I hope you all had a blessed Christmas and have a wonderful new year filled with people you love.

[justjen321]

Best Christmas gift you could ask for!

Congrats.

[Katonsdad]

 

Thats great news

[boswife]

hallaluuuu YA!!     Best ever news!!!    keep in touch     

[Ang]

 

  hope you come back from time to time, let all of us know how mikes travelling

[billybags]

That is really good news. Don't these men stress us woman out!

[okarol]

  Good news! Happy New Year!

[Bajanne]

Wonderful news!   I am so glad that he is able to be with his loved ones for the New Year.  Please consider that you are now part of the IHD family - a tremendous group of sharing and caring people .  Even if you never have any more renal issues, we hope to still hear from you.  Please let us know how your husband is doing.
A blessed and healthy 2012 to you, your husband and your girls.




Bajanne, Moderator

[lmunchkin]

Just signed in on this intro aaaaannnnndddd what an intro it WAS.  So glad for the good news!  What an awesome gift to start 2012 with!

God Bless,
lmunchkin

[hubbyhatesdialysis]

I am so happy your hubby is OK!! That is great news!!