Hi my name is Kim

[kimcanada]

Hello,

My name is Kim and I am from Nova Scotia, Canada.  I have known that I have kidney diseases for a year now, and have just started dialysis in January.  I will be getting my fistula in the next two weeks, and as of now have a shunt in my chest (I am still unsure of all the lingo)

I have been “floating” in this website for some time now, reading posts and playing games.  I really was not’t sure what to write I guess until now but the information that I got was amazing, and made the process less scary. 

Kim

[Joe Paul]

Welcome Kim, good to have you aboard.

[anja]

   Kim , I did the same as you and lurked for some time and got a wealth of education here before needing to go on dialysis.  Welcome to the family!

[Sluff]

Welcome Kim to IHD.

We are a caring community and offer a wealth of information which you are already aware of.

 It's great to have you as a member and part of the IHD family.



Sluff, Moderator

[angieskidney]

Hi fellow Canadian! Welcome! 

 

Advice for getting your fistula:
[li]Don't let them dry you out at the dialysis run right before the surgery[/li]
[li]Tell the surgeon after the surgery any "odd feeling" in your hand (any numbness)[/li]
[li]Afterwards use a foam or small rubber ball to exercise your arm to make sure the fistula has good blood flow pumping through it so it lasts.[/li]
[/list]

My first one failed after 10 days so I thought I would give you advice here!

If you want to tell us how it goes once you get it however, should start a new thread

Good luck and 

[Rerun]

Hi Kim, and welcome to our site.  I'm glad you finally chose to introduce yourself.  Dialysis takes some time to get use to.  Not that you get use to it but you learn to live with what you have to do.  Before you get the fistula, look into PD (Peritoneal Dialysis).  It is just an option that your Physician may not have explained completely.  http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?board=25.0

Again, Welcome and enjoy your stay.  You and "Vandie" have the same Avatar.....She may kick your butt!   

Rerun / Moderator

[shay_pcb]

  and good luck with dialysis!!

[Bajanne]

Welcome to our community!  This is just the place for you to be.  I know that you have checked it out already and are aware of all it has to offer.  Please keep on posting and let us know how it is going for you.  Feel free to share your bad days, your good days and all in between! 

as of now have a shunt in my chest (I am still unsure of all the lingo)

It is also called a 'catheter'.   I had one of those too, for about 2 or so months.

We are looking forward to you becoming an essential part of our family here at IHD.  Here is a group hug for you - 

Bajanne/Moderator

[kimcanada]

Thanks everyone for the welcome,

I am off to dialysis this morning (1:45 hour drive each way) but will read up on the fistula when i get home.

Its funny how just knowing that there is people out there that know what I am going through makes me feel more calm.

Thanks

Kim

[angieskidney]

Thanks everyone for the welcome,

I am off to dialysis this morning (1:45 hour drive each way) but will read up on the fistula when i get home.

Its funny how just knowing that there is people out there that know what I am going through makes me feel more calm.

Thanks

Kim

Be careful driving in the snow

[doglvr02]

Hi, Kim -

Just wanted to give you some reassurance since you are new to the dialysis scene. The port in your chest will go away and the fistula may not look so "hot," but it will be your lifeline to life. Don't let dialysis be your life. Remember that you have a live outside of it and embrace that. Do all the things that you love to do. Remember that we are all here for you when you need someone to listen. Take care.

Rusty

[angieskidney]

Hi, Kim -

Just wanted to give you some reassurance since you are new to the dialysis scene. The port in your chest will go away and the fistula may not look so "hot," but it will be your lifeline to life. Don't let dialysis be your life. Remember that you have a live outside of it and embrace that. Do all the things that you love to do. Remember that we are all here for you when you need someone to listen. Take care.

Rusty

Good advice!

It is true, it is easy to become so involved with dialysis and get consumed by the changes that we end up dwelling on it and stop living our life!

I didn't want a "gross fistula" neither but now I have learned after 18 months that if it is too small it won't work as well. Like DogLover said, it IS your life line! At least with a fistula you can shower and swim and not have anything hanging out of your body!  

[MJB]

Welcome to IHD Kim.

Mike

[boxman55]

Welcome Kim we can share fistula storys I am going for counsel on the 6th for my second attempt. Boxman55

[nextnoel]

Welcome, Kim, it's good to have you here! 

[BigSky]

Welcome

[Razman]

Welcome aboard from another Canadian 

[del]

  Kim.  We are just a trip across the gulf from each other. We are from Newfoundland. Keep posting.

[kimcanada]

Thanks to all for the welcome

Boxman why didn't the first attempt work?  I am nervous about getting mine, but I am always nervous before I have to get anything done   , When I went to the hospital for my app in January and they sprung it on me that "today is the day you start dialysis < I just about fainted.  Here I am now less then a month later feeling better then I have in a very long time.

Del where are you in Newfoundland?  I have dialysis in Sydney, I am a stones throw from the ferry 

P.S. Angie - How did you know it was snowing!!! 

Kim

[angieskidney]

P.S. Angie - How did you know it was snowing!!! 

Kim

Because I am Canadian and watch the weather lol

Make sure you are not too dried about before the fistula surgery! I only say that because my first one failed because of that reason. Of course I have small veins ..

[Zach]

Good to have you here as part of the community!  Looking forward to your posts.     

[kimcanada]

Part 2

I had my PD cath in yesterday, I have been on dialysis for 15 months now, and have had 5 people fall through to donate a kidney to me... I also have one sister that doesn't want to donate....

When I first started dialysis, I thought that this was just a short term thing, I guess I was mistakin.  I am glad that I decided to go with PD now... my tummy is sore, and hopefully it will feel better tomorrow...

Thank you IDH for being here for me

xoxo

Kimcanada

[monrein]

Thinking of you Kim and the new PD cath.  Are you still getting a fistula or will you be doing PD?  Just curious.  Hope everything goes really well.

[kimcanada]

I have a fistula, it works well, I am just tired of driving

[kitkatz]

The posts around this site are amazing and the support is great!  Welcome to one of the best sites on dialysis.  Come on over and continue to post. My goodness you are up to almost 900 posts already!  I must be late welcoming you!  Welcome! Welcome! 

kitkatz,moderator