Greetings from Illinois

[MiSSis]

Hello All,

My name is Michelle and I’m from northwestern Illinois and believe it or not, this is the short version of my story!

I’m currently finishing my third year on home PD.  This is actually the 3rd time I’ve been on dialysis since my kidneys first failed in March 1979 at the age of 23.  Since then, I’ve had two transplants, the first coming from my twin brother in 1980 and the second was a cadaver donor in 1987.  Although my first transplant lasted only 3 ½ years, I consider it a major success because in that time PD became available as an option for home care.  Prior to that it was only done in the hospital in my area.  I had spent 1 ½ years on center hemo when my kidneys first failed and had not done especially well on it so I definitely was interested in other options.  After the failure of my first transplant, I did very well for the next four years on home PD while waiting on the transplant list.  I felt well and was able to work full-time.   I found PD to be much more agreeable for me than hemo ever was.

In 1987 I received my 2nd transplant.  Cyclosporine, which had not been available for my first transplant, seemed to make a world of difference this time.  My 2nd transplant lasted almost 16 years and survived several major health events before failing as a result of my 4th parathyroidectomy.   

So here I am, 3 years later, back on PD and not doing too badly.  I’ve been looking at this site recently and reading with interest your comments on various issues.  I think the support provided is wonderful and the information you share very useful.  I look forward to getting to know you all better in the future.   

[Bajanne]

Welcome, Michelle!  We are so glad that you found us.  I look forward to your sharing with us, since you have had much experience. Remember that we are here when you want to vent.  And this is also a good place to do all kinds of stuff, like games, etc.  Take your time and wade through our over 12,000 posts!  There will be much to peak your interest.  But don't just read; please share as well.

[goofynina]

Hi Missis and Welcome to Ihatedialysis.com.  Here, we all have one thing in common, dialysis, whether you are the patient, caregiver, spouse, family or friend to someone on dialysis, you are welcomed here.  So much info for all of us to learn from each other.  May i ask how you found us?  Not that it matters, just curious.  Anyways, i sure am glad you did find us    So feel free to read through our thousands of posts and please dont hesitate to ask any questions or post comments or concerns...  Look forward to hearing more from you...

[Zach]

Greetings!

Glad you're here ... another veteran!     

[Joe Paul]

Welcome aboard Michelle

[Hephs-little-lady]

Hello MiSSis,

Come in, relax, put your feet up and enjoy. This community truly is amazing. I hope you will really feel at home here.

 

[angieskidney]

Hi MiSSis! Glad PD is working for you! I was on it for a few years but now am on HD myself and wish I could still do PD. I am sure you can contribute so much to this already informative site

[Sluff]

Welcome Michelle.

[MiSSis]

Hi Missis and Welcome to Ihatedialysis.com.  Here, we all have one thing in common, dialysis, whether you are the patient, caregiver, spouse, family or friend to someone on dialysis, you are welcomed here.  So much info for all of us to learn from each other.  May i ask how you found us?  Not that it matters, just curious.  Anyways, i sure am glad you did find us    So feel free to read through our thousands of posts and please dont hesitate to ask any questions or post comments or concerns...  Look forward to hearing more from you...

Nina asked how I found this site and it wasn't difficult.  All I did was google "dialysis forums".  The bigger question might be why, after 3 years, I was searching for such a place.  Last weekend the 3 doctors at the center I dialyze through hosted their annual picnic for all of their patients and their staff.  My husband and I were debating whether or not to go and one of the reasons we decided not to go is that other than the doctors and my PD nurse, I don't know anyone else at the center.  While I much prefer PD over hemo, you do handle much of your care yourself and don't have the opportunity to meet and visit with other patients.  I just decided to check and see if there was a place where other patients, PD or hemo, might be sharing concerns and thoughts.  I was pleased to find this site where everyone seems so friendly and helpful.

[goofynina]

WOAH WOAH WOAH!!!  Wait a gosh darn pickin' minute here,  your doctors hold an annual picnic for the patients and staff? How cool of them is that?  We are lucky if we get a sandwich for Thanksgiving, now that i am on PD, i doubt i will get anything, lol,  oh well, i am happy to be home.   Isn't there a local support group for those on PD?  We have one here but i havent been able to make it, i am going to make the next one for sure, although i dont know anyone   i am still going to go so i DO meet someone, maybe get more members to join our fabulous website     I hope to hear more from you and how you are doing.  We are here for ya too ya know  

[MiSSis]

Yeah, the docs at my clinic are great.  They are truly nice people and care a lot about their patients.  I'm very fortunate in that.  There are only 6 PD patients at my clinic and I'm not sure if there are any others in the area.  I've never thought about starting a PD support group but I did make a copy of the Nephrology News & Issues article about this website and plan to take it with me to my next appointment to show to my nurse and the doctors.  Hopefully they'll share the information with their other patients, PD and hemo, and their staff.

[Rerun]

Hi MiSSis and welcome to our site.  That would be great if you shared the article with others.  There are a lot of PD patients here and I would be one except I've had too many abdominal surgeries.