Newbie from Seattle

[Mellow]

Hello. Happy to have found this website. Have already received valuable information. Three months ago I was in excellent health. Now I have acute kidney failure caused by my immune system attacking my organs as well as diabetes.

I go in for fistula out-patient surgery tomorrow. Although I am going to stay off dialysis as long as possible I want it there just in case.

At first I was devastated emotionally, physically and mentally. But now I feel normal. Also, considering the cause of the kidney failure I am lucky to be alive. My attitude may change once I have to go on dialysis or I don't feel so good. It is just a wait and see situation.

My children are grown, I am retired. I do Yoga, meditate, and play Pickleball.  Hope to get out more socially and do some community work in the future. Usually I enjoy traveling but that is on hold right now because of health issues.

I look forward to reading your posts and comments.
Mellow
 



EDITED - Photo resized - Bajanne, Moderator

[nursewratchet]

You'll do fine.  Glad to hear you are getting the fistula, it is the best possible option for dialysis.  Lots of info, and caring here.   

[Bajanne]

Welcome to our community, Mellow!  You have found this site at a great time, before you start dialysis.  that is when i found it and it was an important means of preparing myself.   there is lots of information here, but not only that - there is support and even some fun.  so please read and read and read, and post and post and post.  Let us know how you are doing.  You are family now 



Bajanne, Moderator

[G-Ma]

 

[Zach]

Welcome to our community!
 

[kellyt]

  Mellow!   You look wonderful and healthy!  Good luck with your surgery tomorrow.  Will it be in your wrist?  Which arm?

I had no problems with my fistula surgeries, other than my first fistula done on Sept 27, 2007 in my left wrist didn't work.  I had to go back for a 2nd fistula in my upper left arm on Oct 31, 2007.  I was fortunate enough to not have to use it, as I transplanted on Nov. 5th this year.  My fistula, which was running strong, stopped working the morning after transplant - just barely over 1 year old.  It's always better to have it and not need it.  Scars tell a story - usually very interesting stories.

Welcome to IHD.  I look forward to hearing more from you.  Let us know how your fistula surgery goes as soon as you can.  Take a pillow with you for the ride home.  It's good to have something soft to prop your arm on on your bumpy ride home.      

[pelagia]

  Mellow.  What the heck is Pickleball?

[cookie2008]

 

[monrein]

   Nice intro, and nice to meet you.  I too want/need to know what pickleball is.  The visuals I'm having are weird.

[Joe Paul]

Welcome Mellow, good to have you aboard.

[boxman55]

Hi Mellow welcome to IHD. what is picklebal? glad you signed up. Good luck with your surgery and come back to let us know how you are doing and how it went.

Boxman,Moderator

[Wallyz]

Hi Mellow.

Always good to meet another Seattleatarian.

Pickleball is a Seattle thing.  It started here, but has spread through the country.

USA Pickleball Association:

http://www.usapa.org/

[paul.karen]

  Mello

This is a great site to find before beggining dialysis or even after being on it for awhile.
Welcome aboard

I lived in Bremerton for many years which is right across the water from Seattle.  So many good memories of Washington.  Cant wait to retire so i can move back there and buy some land.
P&K

[RichardMEL]

Welcome Mellow! I love Seattle! Have been there a number of times. You really remind me of my mother actually. I wish you the best in holding off Dialysis and hope the fistula surgery goes OK!

 

[jessup]

G'day and 

[KarenInWA]

Hello from snowy Bothell!  How are you doing with all this snow, Mellow?  Welcome to the IHD board!!!  I am CKD level 3/4 or somewhere around there.  Right now I am safe at home with the heat and the oven on (cooking, of course!).  Be careful walking outside, I slipped and fell today, but hey, at least it was funny! 

[Rivy]

  Mellow,
It's always a good thing to be prepared and getting that Fistula as long as possible.  Make sure you eat the right foods to prevent the dialysis as long as possible.  I had my fistula done before I went on dialysis for 4 months, but couldn't take the complications, but it helped to do research and a lot of it before I when in.  It was still hard to believe and I'm still thinking that my kidneys will work some day...Good site here and I've learned so much.   I love Settle and will be going up there again in March.   

  Rivy





EDITED:  Corrected icon errors - Bajanne, Moderator

[pelagia]

this link will take you right to the answer for the question "What is pickleball?" http://usapa.org/whatis_pball/index.php

[Mellow]

Thank you for all the responses. First, I don't look this good. This pic was taken  before on kidney failure while on vacation in Arizona. Right now I look like hell. I have aged considerably in the past few months and have a fat moon face due the steroids I have to take. But I am alive  and feel great. Which is good cause a couple of months ago it was touch and go.

Looks like the surgery went fine. No restrictions following the surgery. Able to use my fingers and arm.  Some swelling and discomfort but no real pain. The fistula Is in my left wrist. Bandages come off Wednesday.

Pickleball is a lot like tennis or badminton. On a much smaller court than tennis. Played with a paddle instead of a racquet and a whiffle ball instead of a tennis ball. I play with the seniors 50+ at Bitterlake and Meadowbrook in Seattle. Come join us. This time of year a lot of the Seattle players spend their winter in Arizona so it is a good time to learn. It is played mostly indoors in the Seattle area and outdoors in Arizona.

Yes, eating right is important. I spent the first weeks researching foods and attending education classes in Diabetes and Renal failure. It was a full time job, learning to manage my diseases. Vasculitis, renal failure, and diabetes. At first I lost a lot of weight and went overboard in restricting my diet. Not healthy. But now I have it down pretty good. A great website is www.usa.gov. It gives detailed nutrition values in "What's in the food you eat".  I use it almost daily.
Again, Thank you for the your responses.
Wishing the best the New Year has to offer.
Mellow
 

[willieandwinnie]

  Mellow. I don't know how I managed to miss your introduction. So glad you joined us and look forward to hearing more from you. 

[idahospud]

mellow glad you found us . I live in Everett and work in Edmon's .  Carol

[Bill Peckham]

Welcome Mellow.  If you have to have CKD, Seattle is a good place to be.

[Ang]

  Mellow


   glad  to  hear  your  getting  in  early  for  your  fistula 


    before  it  becomes  an  emergency

[Chris]

Hello and 

[swramsay]

Bill,
I live in Graham and travel to Seattle frequently for the rest of my medical team (Swedish, Seattle Urological, U of WA, Polyclinic & Seattle Cancer Treatment & Wellness Center). I need to find a great nephrologist either in Seattle or between Seattle and Tacoma. I'm brand new (as of yesterday) here and 4 months into dialysis after surgery to remove my last kidney due to bladder cancer. I am used to having a strong medical team for bladder cancer and I am already disheartened by the level of care and I am experiencing in the nephrology/dialysis arena. It took research and persisance to find the best in bladder cancer and to develop strong, positive working relationships. I expect it will be the same for nephrology and dialysis.

I am very proactive and I suppose, at (hopefully) appropriate times, aggressive in my own care. Do you have any referrals for nephrologists who welcome proactive patients and are willing to work & communicate with them about all aspects of their care and decision making?

Thanks, Bill. I look forward to becoming more familiar with your views and website.

Wendy Ramsay