Wanting to introduce myself

[TynyOne]

Someone said they thought I had introduced myself on the renal romance website and not on here and I guess they were right because I cannot find my "introduction" on this website; therefore, let me introduce myself.  I am 37/F/AL and I was diagnosed with ESRD November 30th, funny how I will never forget that date, ya know?  The news came as such a shock to me, I believe my mind was in a blur for about a week after that.  I went to the kidney specialist only knowing what my GP told me and that was "your kidneys are not functioning properly"; therefore, my friend and I (Thank God my friend went with me) go to this kidney specialist and he tells me the news as if he was talking about the weather.  My friend did not like the way he gave me the news but I personally thought, "well, he can't give news like that everyday to his patients and get down in the floor and cry with them."   LOL    Anyways, backing up a little, we just thought we would go there and he would tell me I needed more tests run, came back and see me but nooooooo he demanded I get to the hospital straight from his office, so we did what he said.   However, like I said, my mind was in such a blur, I don't even recall walking back to my friend's car.  Thank God for this friend because had I went by myself, I probably would not be here today, I would have probably have just went on home and acted like I was told to come back next month or so and if I had of done that, people, I would not be here today because my friend just asked me the other day if I remembered that the doctor had said that day, "if you had waited to come see me, you would have only lived a couple of more months."  Now, that's some scary S***!!!!!     LOL    Because NO I do not recall him saying that.

It has not been easy but actually it has not been that hard either.  I think the mental part has been worse on me than the physical part even if I have had to have 4 surgeries in attempt to create a permanent access which to this day, still has not worked; therefore, I am still using my ash split catheter which as you all know has its advantages and disadvantages.  I have had it for over 6 months now and you know they normally like to only leave it in you a month or so.  It has already been infected twice and even now I am on antibiotics because of it being infected right now. (2nd time) I live alone and have no family close by; however, my co-workers stepped in during all this and became like my family that I do not have.  I lost my dear and wonderful Mama, March 2001 and I have never had a relationship with my Father so, he is non-existent to me as they divorced when I was 3 years old.  However, I do have a wonderful stepdad that I am close to; however, he does not live that close by but we talk quite often and for that I will be forever grateful.   I have 3 siblings but one passed away in May 2003 to which they ruled suicide but I have my doubts about that but that is another chapter.  My other 2 siblings are "around" somewhere and that too, is another chapter in itself.  So, it is just me and my beautiful "fur babies" my kitty cats that I love and adore, animals if treated right can give you such unconditional love.  Well, I don't see how anyone can be mean to people OR animals that are helpless. 

Well, there is my "intro", I hope it has not bored you all to tears but feel free to ask me ANY questions that you may have because I feel we can all learn from one another.  I am sure I will have questions too, as time goes by.  Thanks for listening and have a happy little day!

Tammy from Alabama

[Sluff]

Tammy you are welcome here into our IHD family.

That was an outstanding introduction, thanks for sharing your experience with us.

I know you will enjoy your stay here, feel free to post often and ask questions if necessary.

Thanks for taking an interest in ihatedialysis.com

Sluff/ Admin

[MyssAnne]

Wow! Tammy, you have been thrown into our world willy nilly, haven't you? I'm glad you're here though!  I live alone too, so I know what that's like. No furry babies though. Maybe later. Anyway, welcome aboard!

[Joe Paul]

Welcome Tammy, good to have you aboard.

[boxman55]

welcome Tammy i am a big fan of ALabama vacationed at golf shores and and on the bay. Boxmann55

[kelliOR]

Hiya Tammy!
  
Wow, I can really relate to the greatness of friends and co-workers!  Most of my family sat back and just "knew" I could handle things.  But those who REALLY knew me were my BEST buddies!

Glad to have you here,          Kelli

[Zach]

Tammy, welcome to our community!
 

[Bajanne]

Welcome to our community, Tammy!  We are so glad that you found us and are joining us.  This will become, if you allow it, another set of family for you - a group of people who know EXACTLY what you are going through.  Please feel free to ask questions.  There is already lots to read here, and even lots of fun things to do.  So take advantage of all this site has to offer.  You can even post your pict in our family album.
And that was a great intro - our founder Epoman loved when people started with a long intro.  You see, that way, we get to know you better.  I am looking forward to hearing more from you.  Here is a group hug from all of us.


Bajanne, Moderator

[keefer51]

Tammy, welcome to this site. In reading your story it sounded allot like me. I live by myself and felt the same way when i was told i was sick again. It now consumes my whole being. I hope you can use allot of the information that is here.

[Hawkeye]

Hello and 

[tamara]

  Tammy,

Great to see you here !

See You Around

Take Care

Tamara xxx ooo 

[TynyOne]

    I am overwhelmed and deeply touched by such a warm welcome I have received from everyone here!  Thank You!   Thank You!   Thank You!  So, I'd like to begin asking my first two questions.    LOL   My first question is, is anyone on the medication sodium bicarb and if you are, could you please explain exactly what it is for?  Yes, I did ask the doctor that prescribed it to me but he is not my doctor, he was just the doctor on call as well as the "head honcho" over the group of doctors that my doctor is in with and he is also a smart a**; therefore, because he was such a smart a**, I kind of tuned him out when he "tried" to tell me what it is for and also he did not tell me in "booger town" terms,  he told me in his "medical field" terms!    DOH!!!      Also, my second question for today is, does anyone know why they weigh us in kilos instead of pounds?   OK, those are my 2 questions for today.    There will definitely be more to come, I am sure.   Again, thanks for the warm welcome.   Have a happy little evening!

Tammy

[goofynina]

Hello again TynyOne    Those are great questions and if i may ask you to please ask your questions in the General Discussion thread only for the fact that this thread is for Intro's and some people may not read the intros, if we start posting important info here then they might miss it.  I would greatly appreciate it.  Thank you and once again, Welcome to ihatedialysis.com

Goofynina/Admin.

[TynyOne]

GoofyNina,

You know what's funny?  As SOON as I sent that message with my questions, I thought  I sent that in the wrong message board but at that time, I did not have time to move it yesterday but I will send it to the correct board right now!    Thanks so much for your gentle way of telling me to move my post.  Have a happy litte day everyone of you!

Tammy

[Razman]

Hello TynyOne,  I have not been on for a couple of days but I do want to welcome you aboard and say that you did a great intro.