My Rollercoaster ride.

[WBMW]

On November 15th my youngest sister went to my mom's house early in the morning only to find her in bed unable to move and she was babbling.  I made it my mom's in five minutes, usually a fifteen minute drive.  Mom is 56 years young, she has been diabetic for as long as I can remember.  Two years ago she was diagnosed with CHF.  On November 15 she now has total kidney failure.
I'm the oldest of her four daughters and it's been crazy. 
I'm really pissed off at her regular Doctor for not knowing something sooner.  She goes to his office weekly and they draw blood every time.  How could he not have known?  She had all the symptoms.
I am 35, married with two kids and I will be my moms advocate and hopefully her living kidney donor.

[okarol]

  Welcome WBMW -

  Sorry about your mom -- I don't know why doctor's can miss things like that, but it happens more than I like to think about.
I hope you find lots of info and support here. There are many threads about diabetes in addition to renal posts.
I look forward to hearing more from you!


okarol/moderator

[kidney4traci]

So sorry to hear of your families new health issues.  Glad you found this sight, feel it is so helpful to me to search topics and just to know there are others out there with similar problems.  My family gets tired I think of dialysis this and kidney that, so this sites helps there too.  Best of luck to you know that you have found the problem.  Once she gets started on dialysis, she will start to feel much better. 

[willieandwinnie]

  MBMW

I'm sorry to hear about your Mom. This is a great site for information and support. Stay strong.

willieandwinnie

[WBMW]

    I have so many questions so I hope you are all prepared.

What should my mom start to do once she gets home from the hospital??  Special diets???  Special drinks??  Find a new doctor???  Will she be able to drive or should my sisters and I start up a pick up and drop off schedule???
Where do I find these social workers you all speak of??


Mom's blood is A+ and so is one of my sisters' I'm O+
How long before we know more about a transplant??

[Sluff]

Welcome to Ihatedialysis.com WBWM,

Thanks for becoming your Mothers advocate as it is a difficult thing to do but yet needed. Feel free to search the site and read as much as you want and ask questions. It may take a little time to get all the answers you seek but I'm sure you will find them or another member will have the answers you seek.

Sluff/ Admin

[donnia]

Welcome.  You will find lots of support here. 

[sisterdonor]

She  should  have a nephrologist and go  over  options with  him/her.  If your Mom opts for transplant your nephrologist can recommend a transplant center.  If  so, first your Mom  has  to be tested and accepted to  be  a  recipient.  If she passes her evaluation then  you can contact  them to get  the  donor evaluation package and you and/or  your sister  can begin  the  testing process.  You will be assigned to a donor coordinator and your mom  should have  a  recipient coordinator as  well  as  a financial coordinator.

The  testing process took me 3 weeks  with  surgery scheduled 8 weeks after that was  done so  she  may have to go  on dialysis  for awhile  depending on what her  nephrologist  says.

If  she  is  A then both of you can  be tested  to  donate  since  O  blood types  can  also donate to A recipients.

[paddbear0000]

 

[Romona]

Hi WBMW, to answer your question of why the doctor may not have picked this up, someone I met through a kidney foundation said that many doctors do not recognize kidney disease. They may not recognize markers that show in blood work. With your Mom being diabetic he should have been looking closely at her. You have every right to be ticked.
Find a good nephrologist for her. Don't forget to ask questions here. Everyone is awesome!

[Wattle]

  Welcome

[glitter]

 


there is so much information in these forums- just pick a subject and start reading. spend a few hours reading -alot of your questions are answered in multiple threads, and you will learn alot.

[paris]

   You have come to the right place for answers and support.  I am fortunate that my GP noticed in routine blood work that my levels weren't normal and sent me to a nephrologist.    I am so sorry for what your Mom is going through.  She and I are about the same age and same age children.  I was scared when I ended up in the hospital, not knowing what was ahead.  Not knowing is worse than knowing and doing something about it. Learn all you can.  It will help her if you are very informed about treatments and options. She is going to get through this; it will take some time to get things sorted out. Some days will be better than others. We are here for all of you.  This is a wonderful site and we all have become very close. I can't tell you how much these people have helped me.  Let us know how your Mom is doing.  Take a deep breath; this ride goes on for awhile.

[boxman55]

Welcome WBMW, you need to bring your questions up in the forum but, I am 52 and have no problem driving to and from dialysis. Also the dialysis center that you choose will have a social worker on staff to help with everything. Also fluid intake should be minimal and you will need her to stop consuming foods with high potassium and phosphates ie potatoes, bananas, tomatoes etc...Boxman

[Ang]

 :welcomesign;wbmw,good  to  have  you  aboard,
 "information  is  power"
 the  doctor  needs to be  reported,so  he  can  be  held  accountable  for  droppiing  the  ball  big  time.
 good  luck  with  it  all.

[Bajanne]

Welcome to our community!  We are glad you decided to join us on your Mom's behalf.  This site is one of the best things to happen to me just the month before I started dialysis.  It really prepared me for what I was going to face, and now it is my second family.
I was on a radio programme last year which was dealing with the subject of dialysis.  My nephrologist was also a guest on the programme, and when he was asked to give his final comments, he was challenging doctors to be more vigilant in seeing the signs of renal failure.  He said there were too many people who were seeing their doctor regularly and yet the condition went undiagnosed until it was critical.
Take advantage of all this site has to offer.  Read as much as you can, ask as many questions as you can, and please keep posting.  Let us know how your mother is doing.  We will be with you through this entire journey, if you let us.


Bajanne, Moderator

A special greeting to your mom - we are contemporaries (I am 57).

[Joe Paul]

Welcome WBMW, good to have you aboard.

[Laurie]

 

[Hawkeye]

Hello and 

[KR Cincy]

 
You are at the beginning of quite a roller coaster ride...you'll learn a new language, meet some fascinating (?) new professionals, rack up co-pays like you wont believe...it'll wear you out and frustrate you and anger you, but you keep on going for your mom and for your family. Let us be your sounding board, sparring partner, broad shoulder, whatever you need.

[kitkatz]

Wow! It sure makes you mad when doctors do not see what is in front of their faces!  Welcome to our site.


kitkatz,moderator

[Katonsdad]

Hello and welcome ,  Remember that this disease is affecting your mother also . Need to keep her
in the loop as you learn things , if she is capable to handle this information .  A lot of information will
flow your way . Try not to let it discourage you as you receive it . Most here on this forum have been through it
and will help if asked.  Many here are caregivers also not just patients.

Katonsdad

[oswald]