Newbie - PreD

[graciekycats]

Hello!  My first post.  This forum is AWESOME!  I've learned so much from you guys & gals!  And I THANK YOU for giving your information.  I am pre D and scared but with your encouragement the unknown gets smaller.  Currently stage4, doing what I can to keep what little is left.  Looks like hypertension is getting the right K and renal infarction got the left K.  I am in West Kentucky.  I am also a US Army Veteran.

[kristina]

Hello and welcome to IHD.
I am also pre-D and I try to continue
and remain pre-D for as long as possible...

Good luck wishes from Kristina.

[Jean]

Good to have another cat-lover aboard. Welcome to  IHD and you and I are pretty much in the same state. Glad you like it here too.

[Michael Murphy]

I put off Dialysis for as long as possible,  my first dialysis session terrorized me.  I survived it but the unknown was far worse than the reality.  One of the members here wrote a book " The ABC's of the Big D: My life on Dialysis"  Its by Bob Norham and I wish I had read it before starting Dialysis.  It a good view of the experience,  the more you know prior to having to start the easier the whole thing will be.  Thats the great thing about this site, lots of different views about dialysis and people willing to share their story.  I hope you avoid dialysis for as long as possible but as I said in a earlier post Dialysis was a lot like starting kindergarden when I was 5 I was terrorized by the unknown and I knew my world would never be the same.  However the community of fellow patients is the most surprising thing about this I have found.  Every one understands and most are kind and helpful with people entering this life style.  I delayed Dailysis so long my doctor thought I was going to have to be hospitalized.  However I was just waiting for a symptom to justify the life change.  I had a symptom I started dialysis I am not sorry I waited and the only mistake I made was not learning all I could before going.  Well that and taking my reading glasses instead of my distance glasses to the first session and getting horribly lost on the was to the center.  The strange part is I didn't figure that out until I was leaving the first session.  Oh well I was after all scared spitless.

[Darthvadar]

Hello graciekycats, and  to IHD....

I'm sure you'll get lots of support here...

Keep in touch, and keep us informed on how you're doing....

Darth... Moderator...

[PrimeTimer]

Welcome, graciekycats! Sorry you are having to prepare for dialysis but the good thing is that it sounds like the Army Veteran in you knows to get things squared away as to be ready. Joining us here at ihd is a good move. You will find lots of info and support here (along with some humor). Some of these people on here are tough as nails and a real inspiration. And whether they know it or not, they are a big help. Speaking of help, thank you for your service to our country! Hooah!

[graciekycats]

Thank you guys so much for the warm welcome! I really appreciate that more than you realize.  It's a good mood booster that I needed.  Thanks!