Thanks to all of you, I think I'm prepared.

[Pam]

 I've been a member for a long time and I am probably the the biggest lurker around! In Nov when the Dr told me it was time to get a fistula I froze. Everything I had read and learned, was  just gone! Took me a few days of reading and rereading to get my head together. I had the fistula placed yesterday . I will have to have another surgery to lift the vein. I just  wanted to give a  big THANK YOU! To ll of you. All of your posts have not only educated me they have helped to  keep me sane.

[Rerun]

Stick around!  You may need more encouragement!   AND you can encourage others.  Best of luck.

                                         

[Run8]

hello Pam, nice to meet you. this place is awesome.

[Joe Paul]

Hi again Pam 

[monrein]

Hey Pam, nice to see you posting.  I'm glad you got your fistula surgery done.  Please keep letting us know how you're doing. 

[2_DallasCowboys]

Hi, Pam,

You are so right, this is the very best site
to learn everything about dialysis!

You will find not only knowledge here, but tons
of support! 

Anne

[Sluff]

You are welcome Pam that is what IHD is about. Sure we sometimes get involved with current events and fun threads and even politics for awhile but our real and intended focus is ESRD, and Dialysis. Please come back often and post as often as you want.

[paul.karen]

  Pam.

Im with you.  As a newbie to this dreaded disease this place has been a godsend.
May your continued journey go smoothly for you.
P&K

[Zach]

You'll always have us, Pam!
 

[boxman55]

Were here for you Pam. Keep posting we want to know how you are doing...Boxman

[paris]

Pam,  we are glad IHD helped prepare you.  And we are glad you posted.  Everyone here is ready and willing to help anytime you need it.  Keep us updated.   

[Pam]

Thanks again. My fistula is now 2 days old. No pain but there is alot of itching. I can feel it and hear it.Is that normal so soon? The only other question I have is this.....Will I eventually be able to use those fingers to test my BS  ? I'm testing 5 times a day and that is going to make for some pretty sore fingers on my right hand.

[kellyt]

I wouldn't use my fistula arm at all.  That's what I was told, anyway.  But then again, I'm not diabetic and don't have to do BS testing.

And, yes, you should be able to hear and/or feel your fistula right away!  It will get stronger and bigger over the next few months.  Congratulations!  Glad you're back and posting!

[aharris2]

Rolando uses a Freestyle meter and tests in his forearm. The meter requires very little blood. You could alternate between your fingers and the forearm on the nonfistula arm.

[nursewratchet]

WOO HOO!!!  Another Fistula   Never use the fistula arm.  get in the habit of telling everyone not to use it.  It's for dialysis only and is to be protected.  Always listen for it, if you stop hearing and feeling it, call immediately, either the surgeon or the nephrologist.  You should also be neurologist it, did the surgeon give you a squeeze ball?  If not, get one.  Good Luck!!!!

[kellyt]

Be sure not to fall asleep on that arm, either!  It can block the fistula, right Nursewratchet?    I woke up a few times with numb fingers, but that promptly went away when I moved my arm.  Scared me though.

[nursewratchet]

Be sure not to fall asleep on that arm, either!  It can block the fistula, right Nursewratchet?    I woke up a few times with numb fingers, but that promptly went away when I moved my arm.  Scared me though.

  Right, don't carry anything heavy over the arm either.  Good call KellyT, where are our pic's???

[circleNthedrain]

Welcome Pam!  Hard to improve on the answers you have received but I think itching is normal during healing after surgery.  Don't use your fistula arm for BS sticks or any other sticks, only for dialysis.  Best of luck and post often!

[monrein]

Be sure not to fall asleep on that arm, either!  It can block the fistula, right Nursewratchet?    I woke up a few times with numb fingers, but that promptly went away when I moved my arm.  Scared me though.

 Twice I've woken up scared to death because my arm was cold and numb to the elbow...freaky.  No feeling at all, and to the touch, felt like picking up a dead person's arm.  That never happened to my last fistula which was in my forearm.  I jumped out of bed and slapped my hands together til the feeling returned.  Now I'm very careful about how I sleep.  Nothing worse than feeling for the fistula bruit in a big panic.

[RichardMEL]

Pam - glad we can help you feel a little better about where you are at, and hopefully a little more educated and calmed. That makes it all worthwhile to be involved here to help others even just a little bit!!

Yes, you SHOULD hear and feel that sucker.. remember if you stop hearing it or feeling the thrill you need to get to the ER ASAP because that's serious!!!