Oc's Intro

[Oc]

Hi, all.  You can call me by my handle, or call me Dave.  I'm good either way.

I'm pretty new to this -- dialysis, that is.  Forums have been a part of my life for a long time. 

Though my troubles started with damaged kidneys in the mid '80's, I sat at 50% or so for many years.  It was the damaged kidneys > high blood pressure > worse kidneys > higher blood pressure cycle.  I never could keep the pressure totally under control.  I almost made it to 40.

It was a bout of colitis that did me in.  I walked into the hospital last March feeling terrible.  I walked out twelve days later with an Ash Split cath and a new fistula.   I had the cath removed a couple of months ago.

I'm doing dialysis every T/Th/Sa at a center.  I still work full time, and the schedule is hell on my family.  I sometimes think they've had to make greater sacrifices than I have.

The doc said to wait six months or so, just to see if functionality returned.  Here I am at six months....Still no kidneys.

My mother is willing to donate, and we're settling some family issues before starting the testing.  I can't say I'm happy with it, but I know I'd do it for her if the tables were turned. 

I stay pretty positive, but that's because the only other choice is to be negative.  I either do this stuff, or I don't.

The biggest drain on my life is the time in the chair.  The staff is nice, but they don't have the luxury of WiFi.  Heck, they don't even have working a/c outlets, if you don't count the ones the dialyser is plugged into.  Oh, and DON'T count the ones the dialyser is plugged into.  Don't even think about it.  My aging laptop can't go the distance with me on batteries alone.

My blackberry keeps me connected to work, and I have a HP handheld that I try to find games for.  Kinda hard to play one-handed, though.  I have an "unlimited" Bejewelled II game going.  Guess I'm going to find out for sure what their definition of "unlimited" is. 

If you've made it this far, you've made it to the end.  Thanks for reading.  Call me consumed, yet resigned.  Better yet, let's stick with "Dave."

*tip o' the hat*

Dave

[Fox_nc]

Welcome Dave!  Good to have you here ... we are all either new (like me) or were new at one point, so there is lots of information to be had.

 

[Oc]

Thanks for the welcome.  Yeah, I just got stuck in the "sex on dialysis" thread.  Too funny!

(and here I thought I was going to inject some "shock factor" by making it the subject my first thread) 

Nice site.  Thanks for the obvious dedication, Epoman.  Nice to meet you, Fox_nc.

[vandie]

 
You have come to the right place.  This is a great group, who can give you endless support.  

[Oc]

Ooooh.  You just reminded me.  Time to start a new thread on something nobody has been able to give me any information on.  My GP just stares, my Nephrologist laughs (thank goodness he's out of reach and I'm hooked up) and my case nurse is pulling her hair out over it.

Time to ask the experts.   

edit, for Epoman's sanity:  Gonna search first.   

[goofynina]

Hey Dave,  I like your personality, you will fit just fine here.  We are an awesome website but we are an even more awesome support group.  If you have any questions, comments and/or concerns, please do not hesitate to post them,  we are always more than happy to hear from you.  oh, and WELCOME 

[Oc]

Thanks, goofynina.  I feel at home.

Oh, I'm all about asking the questions.  See my thread so far, LOL. 

Thanks for the welcome.

[Sluff]

   Good to have you.

[Joe Paul]

Welcome Dave, good to have you aboard.

[Bajanne]

Welcome to our community, Dave  I can see we will have some interesting times with you.

[tamara]

How is ya Dave Nice to "meet" you.

[Oc]

Welcome to our community, Dave  I can see we will have some interesting times with you.

Interesting as in, "may you live in interesting times," or....   

Thanks for the welcome everyone.  I'll try to keep the "interesting" level below everyone's pain threshold.

[Zach]

Welcome to the site.     

[angieskidney]

Welcome Dave!! 

[mallory]

Welcome to our community, Dave I can see we will have some interesting times with you.

Interesting as in, "may you live in interesting times," or....

Thanks for the welcome everyone. I'll try to keep the "interesting" level below everyone's pain threshold.

Welcome, Dave.  And, don't worry about keeping the pain level low on the interesting, we like a good debate as much as anything else!

[anja]

Welcome, Dave, glad to have you among us!  Anja