Any dialysis concert goers?

[Savemeimdtba]

Before I ended up on dialysis, I used to LOVE to go to shows.  I was front row at all of them and traveled all across the country to see my favorite bands (examples: Lifehouse, Jack's Mannequin, Matt Nathanson, etc.).  Most shows I attend don't have seats (that would be nice!) Just a crowd of people all huddled together towards the front.   I haven't been to a show since July of last year (before dialysis) and I'm planning to get started again this summer.  I don't think I'll be doing front row.. since it can get pushy up there and I don't want my PD catheter to get damaged or hurt.  I'm a little scared to get out there and start doing the things I love again... the past few months have been about just trying to live and now that I'm feeling better I'm really frightened of something happening again. 

I'm going to take it slow and try to chill in the back (which is really hard for me ) and just enjoy myself.  I worry about running out of energy to stand.. or getting dizzy but I guess I'll have to address that if it comes up.  Does anyone else here love to attend concerts? Here's a list of what I'm thinking about going to this summer:

April 16th - Matt Nathanson - Spartanburg, SC
May 2nd - Matt Nathanson / Jack’s Mannequin - Atlanta, GA
June 6th - Lifehouse - Myrtle Beach, SC
June 12th - Jack’s Mannequin / The Fray - Atlanta, GA
June 25th - Dane Cook - Columbia, SC

I obviously won't be going to all of them (not made of money these days!) but a few I think would definitely bring some life back to me and make me feel somewhat normal again. 

[kitkatz]

I love to do the normal things in life. Concerts sound great! Go baby go!

[paris]

I agree with Kitkatz.      Go and do all you can.

[Savemeimdtba]

Thanks guys

[Brianna!]

 

I love going to concerts! I don't like being up in the front, because people push and I don't want them to do something to my fistula. Even before I got my fistula, I didn't like to be up in front, because everyone pushed.

I just had my fistula surgery (the second part, that caused my big scar) and my arm was bandaged up, and I still went to concerts! I just stayed towards the sides. But this one girl pushed my arm, because I guess I was in her way, so my aunt (who was very drunk, by then) dumped her beer on her head! So the girl stormed off, and I didn't have any other problems during that show!

I just wear longer sleaved t-shirts, when I go to shows. It covers up most of my scar. But I really don't care about it showing at concerts. Because no one will notice it, really!

[fc2821]

I agree with Kitkatz.      Go and do all you can.

    Me too. I always try to do thing as "normal" as I'm able.  Get out there enjoy your life, it sucks if you don't.   

[Riki]

I agree with everyone else.. GO!  I'm going to Micheal Buble in Ottawa next month.  As long as you feel up to it, don't let dialysis stop you from doing anything.  Just because you are on dialysis doesn't mean you can't have a life

[Beth35]

I had that same fear when I was on dialysis the first time.  I was only 20 and all my friends and my boyfriend were out doing things that I feared a little bit because of my condition.  I was afraid of the heat and having to stand and possibly needing medical attention.  And like you said, many of the concerts were far away.  But I decided to bring a little tiny fold up chair with me to concerts where there were no seats.  My boyfriend and their friends actually thought it was cool and wish they had their own.  It literally had no back and was just big enough for your butt.  It was a tiny thing - so easy to carry.  So if I got tired in line, I just popped it up and sat down.  And then when we got into the arena or field I would pop it up again and sit on it instead of having to stand.

I went to see "Live" and "Bush" as well as "Green Day" and others.  It was so much fun!

[YLGuy]

I have been to a number of shows since my kidneys failed.  I had to walk to the side and have a little sit for a moment at a couple of them but then went right back in.  Definitely go.  I LOVE live music.  I have been to hundreds of concerts.
 

[Riki]

I went to The Colbert Report in NYC in May, and what they do is make you stand in line for 2 hours before they even let you inside, and once you're in, they squeeze everyone into this little holding area and they squeeze everyone in like sardines.  They kind of made us stay there another 45 minutes or so while they rehearse and do rewrites for the show.  My legs started getting tired while in there, so I just sat on the floor.  I used to hate getting down on the ground or on the floor, cuz I usually needed someone to pick me back up again, but I've worked on that, and I can get up on my own now without any help.  So when they finally called to let us into the studio that you actually see on tv (or as I call it, the inner sanctum of Mecca. *LOL*) it was nothing for me to get up and go in, except I had to put my shoes back on. *G*

[YLGuy]

Very cool.  The fact that you went to The Colbert Report.