A special thank you to IHDers...

[dwcrawford]

When I joined IHD on March 5, I was ready to just give it up.  I felt I was too old to start dialysis and the whole regiment.  The therapist suggested I look online for a support group and I googled!  I found I Hate Dialysis and thought now that is for me to satisfy people that I gave it a go.  To my surprise I found a great bunch of new friends.

I am really grateful to you.  You know who you are.  I feel as if I know some of the members here.  I could single out many people, but Paris was the first person to talk to me.  A special thanks for that Paris, as I’d have just gone on to other things that night otherwise..  That doesn’t mean I don’t have a special place for everybody else.  If I tried to name names I would surely forget one but you do know who you are.

I’ve received so much support and encouragement, information and suggestions, and not a few laughs from so many people.  Thank you!

Well, today I got a schedule for a fistala and a cateher (oops, work isn’t in the spell checker).  Monday morning I’ll be at the hospital bright and early.  Tuesday I’ll start the dialysis.  I couldn’t have, wouldn’t have, made that decision without you people.  (Of course next week I may be cursing you if it really hurts.)

Thanks for accepting me and making me a part of the “family”.

Dan

[del]

Good luck with your fistula and starting dialysis.  Hope everything goes well. 

[cherpep]

I hope everything goes well for you!!  Please keep us updated.

[thegrammalady]

glad to hear you're looking at things differently. glad you decided to join us and become an active participant. friends are such a wonderful thing. especially those who know exactly how you feel.

[MandaMe1986]

The best of luck to you.  We are really happy you found IHD too! 

[paul.karen]

 

Its gonna hurt like hell 

I mean it is painless

Glad you found this site as well.   It has truly helped many people come to terms with Dialysis.  I hope all goes smooth for you on monday.
You have come a LONG way from when you first got here.
Glad to know you will be around for a LONG time to come and be feeling much better in the process.
P&K

[David13]

Best of luck to you, Dan.  We are all here for you and I will be thinking about you as you start this new phase on your journey next week.   

Has it only been a little more than 1 month?  I can't image IHD without you. . .   

[willieandwinnie]

  Dan, we will all be there with you on Monday and Tuesday.  We will be patiently waiting to hear from you and we are sure you are going to cuss at us, but that's okay. Look forward to hearing from you. 

[Joe Paul]

Wow DC, that is fast. Good luck next week, you will do just fine 

[Zach]

 

[Sluff]

Dan,
That was a great post, I am so glad that you found us and even more glad that Paris reached out to you when you needed it most.

All the work we put into the site and the hours we spend are all worth it when we read a post like that.

Just remember when you have a bad day, (and there will be some) you can come here and rant and we will listen. Hell we will help you rant if you let us!

 

[paris]

Dan,     You are one of the reasons Epoman created this site!  You went from not caring to being full of knowledge and power.  All because one man wanted to give others a real place to learn from each other.  I am really glad to call you "friend".  It has been exciting to watch your participation on IHD.   How many posts have you made in a month?     You are now an official IHD addict!      Next step is "Premium Member"      You are family, Dan and always among friends here.  You know my prayers will be with you next week.  Will you have internet access at the hospital? (to help support your addicition)        See you in the chat room            

[dwcrawford]

Paris, I'll try and make you my roll model.  Although it isn't in my nature  to be too nice.

By the way, I sent a check this morning along with my income tax.  Before there was discount even.  lol  Too bad I couldn't have reversed the amounts on irs and ihd's checks...

And finally, no matter what you and the women say, " a fish can't ride a bicycle".  That made no sense whatsoever.

[rose1999]

Dan, my Dad was 10 years older than you when he began dialysis 2 years ago so you're but a youngster!    Paris is a special lady isn't she, bless her for helping you and for everything she does for all of us here. I hope your surgery goes well.Take care, Rose

[jbeany]

 
Hope it goes well for you, dan!

[Tinah1968]

Good Luck DW,

And let me know if you need anything as I am right around the corner... You said methodist right?

[G-Ma]

Good for you Dan and trust me             it doesn't hurt much at all...really...well, let us know.

[monrein]

A word of caution Dan.  It's going to be pretty crowded at your appointment on Monday and at your first dialysis on Tuesday, cuz we're coming with you.  Hope we don't crush you or get in the way but we'll definitely be there.

I look forward to reading your post about it all afterwards.   

[Bajanne]

This is what IHD is all about - information, and above all, support.  As Paris said. this is exactly the reason for which Epoman started this wonderful online community.  And people are being helped all the time.  I know because it was IHD that took me from freaking out to understanding what was going on.
We will be with you all the way, if you let us.
We are waiting to hear how it went.
My caring thoughts and prayers are with you.

[kitkatz]

We are the site that cares, ya know. I am glad we helped you in your decision making.  You can come on back next week and curse all you want to.

[Sunny]

Dan, you're the Man! You can do it. Good luck with the fistula and starting dialysis. I, too, have learned so much from this site. This is where I get all that detailed information my nephrologist is afraid to tell me. Let us know how it goes.

[RichardMEL]

Don't worry Dan you'll be fine... any pain you'll feel will be short lived (and remember you can get a local shot if you feel you need it) and hopefully you'll have more of an idea what to expect when you get in there and not be so freaked out by it all. You will be fine.

The far far more painful thing you have to deal with is my bad jokes!!! 

[dwcrawford]

So I'll stay around and continue to harass you about your women.... lol

The fistala is going in left arm middle (right at the elbow).  Veins in forearm are too tiny.  He won't allow me to use it for ten weeks.

[monrein]

Sounds just like my second fistula which developed and worked very well.  My first fistula (28 years earlier) was in the forearm but they initially  thought the veins were too small and they had planned to use a piece of vein from my thigh.  However, they got in there and found that they didn't need to do that so I woke up to a pleasant surprise of only one cut.  That fistula worked perfectly for 5 years with no fistulagram or anything but I did my own needles and was very conscientious about always laddering my needles consistently up the fistula.

[Wattle]

   Dan I am glad you found us.

We have all been in your position. I personally went into dialysis kicking and screaming all the way. Terrified of what was in front of me. A real basket case! 

But I soon found out I have way more courage, strength and determination, that I ever thought I had. I surprised myself.

I know you will find the strength to get through it, step by step.  You will surprise yourself.