Hey.

[Mark]

I'm not much for introduction threads, but it's required, so why not. 

I came across this site a while ago.  Admittedly, I wasn't much of a fan of the concept.  Somehow, I can't quite buy that a site called Ihatedialysis.com for the purpose of complaining about dialysis isn't negative, but I figured I'd join to satisfy curiosity.  Unlike most people here, I don't have much to say, since I'm...well, relatively happy overall.  I've had CKD my entire life, and I've been on dialysis for about two years now.  A year on hemo, and I'm on PD now.  But the whole "all my life" thing has kind of worked in my favor.  I've never understood the whole concept of people getting depressed or upset over kidney disease and dialysis.  I chalk it up to it being all I've known.  Helps that I'm only 21 now and generally feel pretty good.

So, maybe I'll learn something here.  I mostly just had a specific question I was curious if someone might have advice for, but this isn't the place for that.

[okarol]

I had the same initial response as you Mark. The name sounded negative and I was feeling grateful that my daughter had dialysis to keep her from dying. But I had some questions, and I joined. I also read Epoman's story early on and seeing it from his perspective made me realize that dialysis is different for everyone. Some people do better than others.
I hope you stick around. We can learn a lot from you, with all your experience.
Welcome,
okarol/admin
 

[Bruno]

Oddly enough, Mark, I understand what you are saying although I'm at the opposite end in the scale of life to you. I'm 75 and HD was a gift from God (I'm not religious...that's a figure of speech) to me. It made me feel so much better and happy about life that I soon came to realise how lucky I'd been. I can't say I love it but I certainly don't hate it.

[paris]

Mark, I am glad you joined. We all had thoughts about the name, but after reading the site owner's statement, I "got it".  I have found great friends here and the support they have given me has been priceless.  Your experiences will be valuable here, especially for the younger ones.  And everyone can benefit from your upbeat attitude.  You will find that is is a very positive site with wonderful members.   Welcome to IHD   



paris, moderator

[monrein]

  Mark.  Glad you joined the site and hope that you'll ask your specific question in a separate thread cuz that's what we do best here..support one another and TRY to answer questions or even just say we don't know but that's an interesting question.

[Zach]

Good to have you join our community!
 

[Mark]

I had the same initial response as you Mark. The name sounded negative and I was feeling grateful that my daughter had dialysis to keep her from dying. But I had some questions, and I joined. I also read Epoman's story early on and seeing it from his perspective made me realize that dialysis is different for everyone. Some people do better than others.
I hope you stick around. We can learn a lot from you, with all your experience.

I know what you mean.  I read Epoman's story last night.  Guy had some pretty bad luck.  I've noticed by now that everyone has a different experience.  Dialysis went relatively smoothly for me.  Honestly, it didn't compare much in my mind to stuff that's come before that.  Some problems with my fistula were pretty much the limit of it, and though that made for some unpleasant treatment experiences, it never had much impact beyond that.  I was lucky enough to never have that wiped out feeling after hemodialysis.  I figure it's my age.  Not to mention, while I did run into problems with my PTH, it wasn't a huge issue.  Compare to someone who had fistula troubles, graft troubles, broke both hips, and wasn't able to walk afterward...yeah, I suppose I can kind of see how we'd have different perspectives on the entire thing.

Oddly enough, Mark, I understand what you are saying although I'm at the opposite end in the scale of life to you. I'm 75 and HD was a gift from God (I'm not religious...that's a figure of speech) to me. It made me feel so much better and happy about life that I soon came to realise how lucky I'd been. I can't say I love it but I certainly don't hate it.

I'm wondering if that's as rare as it seems.  I know that at least at the clinic I went to for HD, there wasn't a bit of positivity in the entire place.  Nobody really had much to do but complain about how much they don't want to be there.  Some just didn't go a few times a week.  I can't say I understand why someone would regularly skip treatments that are helping to keep them alive.  Well, there's also the issue that most people there didn't have a clue about any of it anyway.  I think some of them were pretty convinced that they didn't even need it.

And everyone can benefit from your upbeat attitude. 

I'm inclined to agree.  Not that I think my very presence will benefit people, of course.  I'm very strongly of the mind that attitude can influence a whole lot.  I think that keeping an upbeat attitude will keep you healthier.  Not in a crazy, "positivity is magic" way, either.  But that kind of attitude is bad for your body in the same way stress is.  And of course, your interpretation of how you feel changes with your attitude, too.

[Desert Dancer]

Hi, Mark, and 

Seems counterintuitive that such a negative sounding site could be so full of positivity, but there you have it.

Oh, and ask your question! Now I'm curious as to what it is.

[Mark]

Oh, and ask your question! Now I'm curious as to what it is.

I'm sure it's not nearly as exciting as you're imagining, but I posted it in the Medicare/Insurance board, if you're curious.

[MooseMom]

Well, Mark, I've had CKD for at least 20 years, but it didn't become an issue really until about 6 years ago (for reasons that are too complicated to go into).  I have spent these years freaking out, depressed, angry and resentful while spiralling down towards dialysis.  I'm not on dialysis yet, but it is only a matter of time, and I am furious about the whole thing.  I've not had a great attitude at all.  I wish I could claim otherwise, but I can't.  So, maybe you already know everything there is to know about dialysis and don't really need the support, but if you could find it in yourself to offer support to people like me who don't yet have it all sussed, we'd be grateful.

Thank you so much for taking the time to join IHD.