I haven't yet gone on dialysis but I've made the decision to have my remaining KD removed. As my wife pointed out, disability isn't inevitable anymore. I'm already unable to work fulltime and am having a hard time sustaining 25 hours a week. I've been reducing my workload bit by bit for the last year and a half. Observing my life from my objective inner self is like watching a slow-motion train wreck. Anyhow, she's right. (That's really insult upon injury. I never said that and will disavow any knowledge of this communication if questioned.) And of course the nephrectomy and dialysis startup are going to put me out of commission for at 2 - 3 months. So its time to apply for social security disability income.
The first nephrectomy was a 6 hour surgery and I had an epidural opiate drip for 6 days with the result of about 6 months of rapid cycling mania/depression and recovery of pre-surgery cognitive abilities. On the other hand, based on that experience I can look forward to losing about 30 lbs of bio-mass, losing 10 lbs on a liquid diet, regaining my svelte waistline, symmetrical racing stripes on my flanks, and a long rest with good drugs.
I started packing up my office yesterday. Mixed feelings? Boy howdy! More like Cuisinart-ed feelings. I wasn't using it much since I couldn't handle the 60 - 80 hrs a week that a private practice requires for viability. Still, its a loss in itself and is tied to several other major losses.
I'm resolved to fight the good fight; too many projects to do before I dematerialize. But right now feels like the end. So I'll read my inspirational poems and take a page from my best friends play book. "The only easy day is yesterday. HOOYAH!"
Joe.
Oh yeah, forgot the sick humor.
Dialysis patient walks into a bar. He orders six beers and pours them into his peritoneal catheter. Bartender says "Jeez, no wonder you got a beer belly."
Ba rum bum, ttssshh
I Hate Dialysis Message Board
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