Another newby

[BillB]

Just wanted to say hello to everyone.  I just signed up but feel as though I know some of you since I've been lurking for several months.  My wife had a PD cath implanted almost 3 months ago because her GFR was dwindling (8% now), her BUN and creatinine were not good, and her neph told her yesterday at her monthly check up that it was time to start. I've been reading everything I could find about ESRD and dialysis since my wife's prognosis slipped to Stage 5 about a year ago.  Your site is a treasure of knowledge, compassion and companionship.  I've been trying to get my wife to join with me but she's still resisting the whole hoping it will go away.  It won't and she really does know it.  She starts training for PD Mon, 29 Mar.  We've been married 23 years and this will just be another obstacle to overcome.  Hope we are both around to celebrate many more anniversaries.  Thanks for having such a wonderful site to go to. 

Also another Alabamian by way of South Carolina. 

Bill

[monrein]

  to IHD as a member and no longer just another lurker, although of course that's fine if it meets your needs.  I'm so sorry that you and your wife have needed to become a part of this ESRD club but I hope that we can continue to learn from each other and offer our support or just an ear at times.  It's always most difficult at the beginning, and although it never gets entirely easy it does become more routine as time goes on. I've never done PD, but several here have and do so they will chime in too I'm sure.
Your wife is lucky to have you to share this burden with her and my husband is a good guy also.

[Jean]

  To IHD. Glad you decided to de-lurk and join us. Always better if you can ask questions and get answers. Hope your wife comes to terms with it soon, if not, it's just another small hurdle. Grat to know you are there to support her.

[okarol]

  Hi Bill,
It's great you've been reading the forum - knowledge is power and the more informed the easier it goes, in my opinion. Your wife is lucky to have you and I hope all goes well for you both!
 

okarol/admin

[galvo]

G'day Bill and .

[BillB]

Thanks everyone for your warm welcome and kind words. 

BillB

[MooseMom]

I understand exactly how your wife must be feeling.  I am so very, very glad to hear that you are learning all you can about ESRD; it is such a potent symbol of support when your spouse takes the time and makes the effort to learn about what what has brought you to this point in your life.  Please keep learning and keep posting; maybe your wife will soon become comfortable with posting herself.  There are a lot of people here who, I believe, could really help her out.  I don't think I am one of them at the moment, LOL, but others have more courage than I do and would be glad to be of assistance to both of you.

Truly, thank you so much for posting.  I know it means so much to your wife.

[looneytunes]

Hi Bill B and it's great you have joined in though I was also a lurker for quite some time (and my spouse also isn't interested in being part of IHD though he hears about it from me).  My hubby was diagnosed with ESRD in 2007.  We have been through 2 years of PD and are currently doing in-center hemo while waiting for training for the NxStage system.  We are excited to be able to come back to home dialysis as it allows us much more freedom and chioces. 

IHD is a great forum to learn about ESRD, Dialysis and all the many issues that we face as a result.  I'm glad you joined and am looking forward to getting to know you better. 

[Rerun]

Hi Bill and welcome to IHD.  Your wife is lucky to have such a supportive husband.  I'm sure she knows that.  PD is really the best way to start with the whole dialysis experience.  Save the needles for later when you need that type.  I hope she is willing to get a transplant.  Much to learn and talk about.  I look forward to your posts.

Rerun, Moderator           

[RichardMEL]

G'day Bill - welcome to IHD!!! Having a supportive partner interested to learn in the condition and what you can ddo to help will really be supportive for your wife - and that will be good. The more you know the more you can help her on her journey. Some people aren't as lucky to have folks like you in their lives. Hopefully IHD can help you learn more to help your wife through this!

RichardMEL, Moderator

[cloud393]

Welcome aboard Bill.  I would like to thank you for being such an involved part of your wife's treatment.  People like you are hard to find.  I've been on D for just over a year and my husband has been the one constant that keeps me going.  I don't think I'd be able to do it without him.  I know there are days that he thinks I don't appreciate all he does as I'm sure you have had or will have.  Just remember that we might not always say it but we do appreciate it more than you couild know.  Ask all the questions you want, you will be answered.

[MooseMom]

Bill, any chance that your wife might swing by for a visit?  We'd love to say hello!

[kellyt]

 

[paris]

Hi Bill and welcome to IHD.  You already know how great this site is and how supportive the members are.  I think it is great that you are trying to learn as much as possible to help your wife. My husband is the ostrich with his head in the sand----he justs wants me to be well again.  We all deal with this differently.  I, on the other hand, want to read everything there is!  So glad you joined and I am looking forward to reading more posts from you.   




paris, Moderator

[BillB]

Thanks again everyone for your kind words and encouragement.  Today was my wife's first day at PD training.  All went well. After signing lots of paperwork, she had a 1500 ML bag put into her peritoneum and drained within 10 minutes.  A small amount of fibrin came out but she experienced no pain. She was pleasantly surprised at the ease so far.  Tomorrow she gets the full 2500 ML and gets to keep it for longer.  Here's hoping tomorrow goes as well as today. 

I keep asking my wife to join but I think she is still coming to grips with what the future has in store for us and is still coming to terms with all the ramifications of the ESRD life.  I'm sure she'll be okay.  Hopefully she will jump in soon.

Thanks again,

BillB

[Yvonne]

  to the site BillB I've been trying for nearly 3 years to get John to join this site and ask any questions, but has his head burried in the sand and thinks one day it will all go away. The best of luck to you both hope all goes well.