I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
March 28, 2024, 02:54:49 PM

Login with username, password and session length
Search:     Advanced search
532606 Posts in 33561 Topics by 12678 Members
Latest Member: astrobridge
* Home Help Search Login Register
+  I Hate Dialysis Message Board
|-+  Dialysis Discussion
| |-+  Advocacy
| | |-+  Keeping a relationship strong while dealing with kidney transplant issues
0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic. « previous next »
Pages: [1] Go Down Print
Author Topic: Keeping a relationship strong while dealing with kidney transplant issues  (Read 9658 times)
Everlasting
Jr. Member
**
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 85


our community

« on: August 09, 2009, 03:24:49 PM »

Hello:  My concern is now our ability to keep our relationship strong and in the direction we knew before the kidney issues surfaced.  We are both exhausted, frustrated and at times insensitive to the needs of basic comforts and validation of one another.  There are times when resentment arises - one feeling he/she is doing more than the other etc.
     This past weekend we put everything aside and went on a weekend get away with a promise that we would not talk about kidney matters for the duration.  It worked !!!
     I would enjoy hearing how others manage to keep their relationships fresh and strong while facing the struggles of kidney disease.
Thank you for any suggestions you might have.
Everlasting
Logged
Hanify
Elite Member
*****
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 1814


Hadija, Athol, Me and Molly at Havelock North 09

« Reply #1 on: August 09, 2009, 04:58:58 PM »

Keep being as honest as you can with each other.  If things start to bug you, try to bring it up sooner rather than later.  Good idea re the weekend.  We're off to Samoa in 10 days and I think I might try it too - other than when I'm doing dialysis.  It's so hard not to let it take over your life.  It's quite good to make yourself not bring it up when you meet someone.  That way you can be sure that you have not 'become' kidney failure.
Logged

Diagnosed Nov 2007 with Multiple Myeloma.
By Jan 2008 was in end stage renal failure and on haemodialysis.
Changed to CAPD in April 2008.  Now on PD with a cycler.  Working very part time - teaching music.  Love it.  Husband is Paul (we're both 46), daughter Molly is 13.
petey
Newbie
*
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 0


MEMBER BANNED

« Reply #2 on: August 09, 2009, 05:01:22 PM »

Marvin and I had been married for 6 months when he first got sick with a blood disorder (ITP -- low platelets).  It took us a couple of years to deal with all that (and several surgeries) and learn how to live with it.  Then, shortly before our 9th wedding anniversary, Marvin went on dialysis.

Two weeks ago, we celebrated our 23rd anniversary, so we're definitely "experienced."  I think we have a strong, strong relationship.  But, just as with all relationships (ESRD or not involved), it does take some work to keep it that way.

I think Marvin and I have a strong relationship because (1) we are committed to each other; (2) we try to think of the other before we think of ourselves; (3) we make modifications in our lifestyle when needed; (4) we face EVERYTHING together; (5) we are each other's best friend, best advocate, sounding board, and strength; (6) we have accepted our "fate" and try to make the best of it; and, (7) we laugh, laugh, laugh with each other.

This is not how either of us thought our lives would unfold, but we've learned to "roll with the punches" and keep going.  It is what it is.  This is the hand we were dealt.

We have never had a time when we made ESRD, dialysis, kidney, or transplantation "off limits" in our discussions (though it seems to have worked for you).  We talk about these things many times a day (hey, it's right there in front of us).  We both have the type of personality that says you grab that bear by the face and wrestle it to the ground!

Different tactics work for different folks.  We're not the perfect couple, but we both think we're a good couple.  In a way, dialysis and ESRD have made Marvin and me stronger people and a stronger couple.
Logged
del
Elite Member
*****
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 2683


del and willowtreewren meet

« Reply #3 on: August 09, 2009, 06:07:31 PM »

I really thing kidney failure has made us stronger as people and as a couple.  WE will be married 25 years this coming April. We knew hubby had kidney problems before we married but we never dreamed they would fail.  22 years ago he saw a nephrologist who told him he would need dialysis or a transplant in 2 -10 years. He lasted 10 years almost to the date that he was told.  He has been on dialysis 12 years now and like petey it is just a normal part of the conversation. Sure we wish that we didn't have to deal with this disease but we have to live the hand that was dealt us and make the best of it.  There are times when our tempers run short and we get on each others nerves but that is part of any relationship!!  Just talk about things and keep things in the open or they will cause more problems.
Logged

Don't take your organs to heaven.  Heaven knows we need them here.
maritza0486
Jr. Member
**
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 91


"Pple cant do evrythin but every1 can do somethin"

« Reply #4 on: August 12, 2009, 04:18:18 PM »

When me and my boyfriend speak over the phone, he asks me how I am feeling and how dialysis went. I tell him a brief story and he never brings it up again. We have a lot of sex, not to be too explicit. But that always works to get out minds off "my health issues". LOL. Also, we go fishing and watch movies and just overall talk about other things like finances, etc.
Logged

~Diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease at age 17 (a month before turning 18)
~Kidney Transplant from sister February 10, 2005
~Transplant failed December 2008
~Began Dialysis for my very first time May 6, 2009
~Put on Transplant List on June 5, 2009
~Miraculous phone call from Montefiore about potential kidney August 31, 2009
~2nd Kidney Transplant!!! September 1, 2009
~Sep. 6, 2009 Creatnine 1.1 ---- Sep. 11, 2009 Creatnine 1.5 --- Sep. 18, 2009 Creatnine 1.3
~May 14, 2010 -- Creatnine 1.0!!!! I am healthier than ever. 8 months since 2nd transplant!!
maritza0486
Jr. Member
**
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 91


"Pple cant do evrythin but every1 can do somethin"

« Reply #5 on: August 12, 2009, 04:20:40 PM »

I also for got to mention that I am overall an extremely positive person and I usually do not let kidney failure bring me down. What feels even better is when people have no clue whatsoever that I have any health problems.  ;D

My boyfriend has been with me since I was diagnosed with kidney failure again. Our relationship is really strong.
Logged

~Diagnosed with End Stage Renal Disease at age 17 (a month before turning 18)
~Kidney Transplant from sister February 10, 2005
~Transplant failed December 2008
~Began Dialysis for my very first time May 6, 2009
~Put on Transplant List on June 5, 2009
~Miraculous phone call from Montefiore about potential kidney August 31, 2009
~2nd Kidney Transplant!!! September 1, 2009
~Sep. 6, 2009 Creatnine 1.1 ---- Sep. 11, 2009 Creatnine 1.5 --- Sep. 18, 2009 Creatnine 1.3
~May 14, 2010 -- Creatnine 1.0!!!! I am healthier than ever. 8 months since 2nd transplant!!
petey
Newbie
*
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 0


MEMBER BANNED

« Reply #6 on: August 12, 2009, 06:09:30 PM »

We have a lot of sex, not to be too explicit. But that always works to get out minds off "my health issues". LOL.

Yep...sex helps.  Or, at least it's a *bonus* in a good, strong relationship.

(Let's see how long it takes RichardMel to get in on this discussion now that "sex" has been mentioned ...  >:D )
Logged
kellyt
Elite Member
*****
Offline Offline

Gender: Female
Posts: 3840


« Reply #7 on: August 12, 2009, 06:35:33 PM »

Yeah Petey!   :clap;    :2thumbsup;

When dialysis was the hot topic of the house and I was discussing my options of either home or clinic dialysis, one of the main reasons I didn't want to do home dialysis is because I felt it would be there and in our face (his face) all the time and I didn't want that.  I would have rather gone to dialysis and just come home.
Logged

1993 diagnosed with glomerulonephritis.
Oct 41, 2007 - Got fistula placed.
Feb 13, 2008 - Activated on "the list".
Nov 5, 2008 - Received living donor transplant from my sister-in-law, Etta.
Nov 5, 2011 - THREE YEARS POST TRANSPLANT!  :D
Pages: [1] Go Up Print 
« previous next »
 

Powered by MySQL Powered by PHP SMF 2.0.17 | SMF © 2019, Simple Machines | Terms and Policies Valid XHTML 1.0! Valid CSS!