Hey there

[Pcadete]

Hello, everybody

Mu name is Pedro, I just joined this forum, I've had CKD due to high blood pressure for 10 years, with a lslow decrease of renal function over the years, I'm sure you know the drill.

I'm stage 5 now, with a creatinine clearance of 20mg/dl (sorry for the european units), and just about to start renal function replacement therapeutic, as it we call it here in Portugal.

I'm in a program for living donors, my mother is being screened to be enrolled as a donor, but very poor chances there (she's 67...)

Transplantation here in Portugal is easier than in the US, people are donors by default, but I'm scared as hell about what's coming towards me.

thank you for your patience,

Pedro

[Desert Dancer]

Pedro -

Welcome!  You must be feeling quite overwhelmed at the moment and that is understandable. I only just started dialysis this August and it can be a lot to take in, even if you are prepared for it long in advance as I was. But I have found arming myself with as much information as I can get my hands on, and being master of my own fate in relation to dialysis, has helped immensely.  It is not an insurmountable obstacle in life. It's just another challenge and for me it's been easily met by facing it head-on and taking everything one step at a time. Don't look forward to 'the rest of your life'. That's too big a chunk to handle. Just deal with what is directly in front of you today.

Have you researched different modalities of dialysis available to you? There are several that will allow you to dialyze at home or will allow you to perform self-care at a center.

I'm so glad you've found IHD and I hope you'll stay! Believe me, if I can do it, you can do it! 

[boswife]

  Pedro   Glad you found this place in the perfect time  ..  Read lots and hopfully you'll find a bit of peace in what your going through..  At least for us, it was increadably comforting to learn that so many others have gone this path and are doing just fine 

[MooseMom]

Cool!  Portugal!!  I've spent quite a lot of time in Spain but have been to Portugal only once.  Would love to return!

I'd think you were lying if you said you were not scared.  We've all been where you are right now.  I'll be starting dialysis pretty soon, perhaps, so I know how you must be feeling.  It IS scary.  But coming to this forum and reading about all of the other people who are experiencing the same thing as you can make you realize you are not alone.  Unfortunately, yours is not a unique story.

I'm glad you have found us.  Keep posting and let us know what happens next.  It would be wonderful if you could find a donor so that you would not have to ever go on dialysis!

[kellyt]

   It's nice to meet you, Pedro.  Don't be scared.  We are all here for you.  High BP was my kidney downfall, too.  I look forward to hearing more from you.   

[galvo]

G'day Pedro and  .

[Rerun]

Pedro,  I'm so glad you found us.  Tell your friends.  But, then you can't talk about them so naaaaaaah. 

Donors by default.  I like that.       

Rerun, Moderator            Come back!

[Poppylicious]

  Pedro!

There are people over here (I'm in England) who want the donor system to be opt-out (donor by default) rather than the opt-in system we currently have.  Unfortunately the government is against it ... *sigh*

Again, welcome!

[Pcadete]

heeeeeeyy!!!!

You people are really a bunch of good welcome folks!

thank you all for the kind words, I'm still figuring out how to deal with the immense amount of information in this forum.

I am glad I found you, people!....

As for the opt-out donor system, we've had that discussion long ago, and the law in Portugal is, nevertheless, very demanding regarding the evaluation of the donor - patient relation to avoid organ traffic. Still, Portugal is #1 in kidney transplant in Europe. That gives me hope, and oddly Portugal is #1 at something besides the public debt (Just read the news, Portugal's debt makes the headlines all over).

Anyway, and for the time being, I'd like to apologize for my flawed english (you'll all notice that from time to time, but you'll be all very polite ))))

And, last but not the least, for those of you who want to visit a beautiful country, you are invited to come over, you'll have your own personal guide!

Have a nice weekend everyone,

Pedro

[billmoria]

We were all scared Pedro. My long path to dialysis took ten years and I refused to look at what they actually did in dialysis all that time. When the time comes you face the realities. 4 years on and doing ok.
I wish you well.
Bill

[thegrammalady]

  we're glad to have you join us

[Jean]

Welcome Pedro, you have found THE number 1 place to be if you are scared and confused. I am not so confused any more ( ha, who is kidding who here ) but, boy am I ever scared. But, anyways       

[monrein]

  from  Canada. really nice to be able to share this common experience with people from all over the world.

[peleroja]

Welcome Pedro from Portugal.  This is a great place for answers and friends.  Glad you joined!

[Scarlet]

Welcome Pedro, glad you found us. I am fairly new myself but I already feel like one of the family. 
Wow donors by default, how very "reasonable"!!!   I was just told by the unit nurse at my clinic that my neph and the others in the renal units here in Manitoba have started to lobby the government to have Manitoba listed as a donor by default province as well. 
 

[cariad]

And, last but not the least, for those of you who want to visit a beautiful country, you are invited to come over, you'll have your own personal guide!

Count me in, Pedro!

 

What part of Portugal? I just read The Stone Raft (A Jangada de Pedra) and got a bit lost with all of the traveling they did around the Iberian peninsula. Oh, and I just heard Jose Saramago passed away recently Probably just as I was finishing up the novel. I've also read All The Names (Todos os Nomes), and The Gospel According to Jesus Christ (O Evangelho Segundo Jesus Cristo) is one of my favorite books of all time. Have you read any of Saramago's works?

Your English is lovely. Do not apologise for it!

So glad you found us. I look forward to reading more of your posts!

[Bajanne]

Welcome to our community, Pedro!  This is an excellent place for information, support and encouragemen.  It is great to have someone from Portugal join our wonderful group.  I have a bit of indirect connection with Portugal.  My niece spent some time there - she is a diplomat and speaks Portuguese, Spanish and French.  Then, my daughter's father is from Guinea-Bissau (formerly Porguese Guinea).  Also my country was first landed on by Portuguese who gave it the name Barbados.  Your English is great (I teach high school English!)  You will soon find out that we are more than a forum, if you let us; we are a genuine family    Just contiue to read and continue to post.  We really want know how things work out with you.



Bajanne, Moderator



Bajanne, Moderator