Starting NxStage training!!!

[cassandra]

Yeah Imunchkin, your J is very luck to have you, but as my T would say, you are very lucky to have J too. And I just hope I can do the things I can do at the moment for as long as poss. The amount of times he saved me, and kept me above ground on this planet is just unbelievable. A huge THANK YOU to all caregivers, and carepartners.

love you all Cas 



   

[big777bill]

 I'm at the last couple of days of training at the clinic The instructor told us we will be working at home by Thurs. She will come here for 3-4 days and then we're on our own. We did treatment today (like every Monday) using bags. They're not so bad but I like using the Pure-Flow better. Hanging 6 heavy bags is a drag. The Pure-Flow is a matter of connecting a line, very simple. Then the other thing with the bags is the warmer needs to be hooked up. It's not hard, just extra work. Forgot to turn the warmer up and after about 10 to 15 minutes I was shivering. Then I fell asleep. I was so tired today for some reason. Patty took the reins and all went well. The report on the water came back today. They have to wait for 2 more tests to come in tomorrow and if they're good we will get the final approval. God Bless, Bill

[cassandra]

All sounds very promising indeed. Good on you!!

love Cas

[lmunchkin]

Yeap, bags are a bundle, for sure Bill!   Just don't forget the warmer, LOL!!!

God Bless,
lmunchkin
P.S.  At least you will be at home.  Have you read AdamW post tonight?  You can read the "Dread" in his post. You can really get hooked on this home D!!!

[big777bill]

  Today after D we loaded up the cycler and all related supplies and took them home. Got me a brand new big mans recliner to relax in during D. Thursday the training nurse will come to our house to make sure everything is honky dory. I'll tell you it was a rough 16 days but we made it through with flying colors. I hope it goes as easy at home. I won't have a drill sergeant looking over my shoulder saying "are you sure that's what you want to do?" Now starts my new dialysis at home life!    God Bless, Bill

[justjen321]

Woooooot!

Happy Graduation Day!

[boswife]

So happy for you guys and  blessings for smooth goens from here. Hugs for  both

[amanda100wilson]

Great news Bill

[big777bill]

  Today was my first day of hemo at our home! The training RN came over and babysat us. When all was said and done she was happy as a pig in slop. It was weird doing D at home. For some reason everything seemed to be out of place. I couldn't find things right away when needed and I'm the one who put them there in the first place, lol. After some months roll on by it should be second nature. At least I hope it will be. Now to get the supplies from NxStage and we're set for the next month. They gave us enough at the clinic to do one week. I hate dialysis! Since it's a fact of life from here on out and has to be done one way or another I'm glad to be doing NxStage at home.      God Bless you all, Bill

[cassandra]

wow Bill, and Pat, I am so happy for you

lots of love Cas




       

[boswife]

   this morning while i was setting up the machine i was thinking.... "this is their first day at home "  (that's you guys first day at home  ) I was smiling and thinking how neat.  It sucks, yea, but so much better at home!!  I think it's so nice that your nurse is going to hang for a couple times.  I was horrified that mine came in, sat and watched me set up,stick, check the machine and off she went!!!      And that was that!!!  I didnt like that and am jealous when i hear of others 'better' in that area of training than mine/ours.    Sometimes i think its cause she knew i was so scarred and it was like a mother pushing her chick out of its nest. mabie it just had to be done that way. lol    Anyway, im so happy your home  

[lmunchkin]

Awesome Bill & Patty!  You guys are finally HOME!!!!  Just settle in that "Recliner" hook up and enjoy each others company! You both should be very proud of yourselfs. This NxStage is a huge hill to climb, but you both climbed it with flying colors!!  Now reap the rewards of your efforts!

Boswife, you may be on to something here.  Our training nurse left early too.  I think they want to leave us alone to see how we do by ourselfs.  That first week at home alone, was as I remember, panick on my behalf.  It was like I had a brain freeze, but as each day went by, it started clicking and now its like nothing.

I have learned since starting NxStage, as J is a wiggle wart sometimes, to use lots of tape (paper) in different areas.  That way, when he is hooked, I can go and finish up chores.  Im not nearly as nervous about it, because he is taped pretty good. Then when I finish chores, I get up in bed with him and watch TV, play cards (Im real good at poker).  Then some nights, I just sit in a chair and watch a show. 

It is so much better at home!!!!

God Bless,
lmunchkin
 

[amanda100wilson]

Doing NxStage is abit like learning to drive a car.  You may get that little pice of paper that says you've passed your test, but you really learn after you have passed the test.

[big777bill]

 Thank you all for the encouragement. Second day at home went even better than the first. I want to give all the credit to our instructor. She was hard when it was needed and let us make our own mistakes at the appropriate times. The proof is in the pudding. We learned about as quickly as could be expected and that was all due to getting great teaching. Many of the questions I asked her were from posts I had read on IHD. This site was a huge help in learning home hemo. God Bless, Home-Hemo Bill 

[lmunchkin]

Yeap, those tainers are nice, but stern when needed!  They want it done right, so they allow you to make a few mistakes, and Bill, "it is"at the right times!  You are so right about that!
How are you feeling, Bill?

Congrats Home Hemo Bill and Patty!!!!

lmunchkin

[boswife]

It's a proud time   Im not a 'proud' type person but this is one thing im really proud of and happy to be a part of...  the 'home hemo' family 

[big777bill]

 I feel a lot better than I did going in center. The thing that bothers me the most about this is having to hook up to a machine 5 out of every 7 days for the rest of my life. I gotta stop thinking about that part of it but it keeps haunting me. I know all the up side and the fact being I have to do this to live. I  never expected anything like this and I don't want it. An old saying I use a lot is that you play the cards you're delt. Well I don't like this hand! Back to where I started this, I do feel better and that's a good thing. It will allow Patty and I to do more together than we had been able to for the last year. Not being in center we could even take a vacation after this becomes second nature. I like the idea of that. God Bless, Bill

[amanda100wilson]

Bill, I am glad to gear that it is going well and I really ipunderstand the mixed feelings you are having, but yes, you will feel much better.  I was told on Friday that my Hb is only 8 (for several reasons), but I don't feel like I used to, much more energy.  As for vacation, we have just travelled down to Destin in Florida for my first vacation away with NxStage.  Machine is all in place ready for me to set up tomorrow to do my first treatment away from home.  I have just been in the sea for the first time in over  10 years, because i wasn't able to do so before because of the PD catheter - freedom indeed!

[lmunchkin]

Oh Amanda, girl, I wish we were there with you!  We plan to go back to PCB again to stay at Venture Out!  It was a great place for us.  Access to anything we want!  J. couldnt go to ocean with me, but I did get to enjoy it while down there last Oct.

So I take it you guys drove down.  Destin is so beautiful.  I had a Dentist that retired and he and his wife live in Destin.  Beautiful Home on the beach!

I can't wait for another get away!  You guys have fun and enjoy.  You deserve it Amanda!!!!

God Bless,
lmunchkin

[big777bill]

 I went to get my buttonholes started today but it wasn't ready to go yet. The Rn stuck me about 2-3 times and never got a flash. I had my head turned away so I'm not sure exactly what she did. lol It wasn't a total waste of a day though. I need iron so she was able to give me another dose of that. This was the 2nd dose of 5 doses needed. We were hoping the fistula would be ready so this catheter could come out. Now I'll have to deal with it for at least another month, probably longer. The NxStage at home is going well. The Dr says my numbers are good with the exception of my iron level.  God Bless, Bill

[Joe]

Great news Bill, (your numbers, not the fistula). Keep up the good work!

[big777bill]

 Thank you Joe! 

[cassandra]

I'm suitably impressed.

lots of love Cas