Will be Starting D Friday at 5

[KarenInWA]

Hello,

Well, my time has come.  My gfr is now at 6, and I will be starting D via my new temporary neck access this Friday.  My fistula was placed late Monday night, so it needs time to mature.  Strangely enough, I do not have any uremic symptoms, except for fatigue.  I am going into this with as positive of a mind as I can muster, because I refuse to let this get me down.  I have learned, through the amazing people on this site, the importance of being one's own advocate, and I'm not afraid to do that! My plan is to do in-center until I find out what is going on with my friend who got tested to be my donor.  If she is able to be my donor, or able to donate on my behalf through a paired exchange, then I will stay in-center until transplant time.  If she is not able to donate, I will look into doing Nxstage. 

Any advice on how to make that fistula mature quicker will be graciously accepted!

KarenInWA

[Lillupie]

Ask a staffer like a nurse, or social worker for something such as a soft ball. THere is a little hand held ball, its a little hard to describe via the internet, well you can use it to exercise your hand, which in turn exercies your fistula and helps it to get bigger in size. The thing they give people here, is something they can squeeze.

Lisa

[Riki]

a stress ball will work.  The nurses actually gave me one that's shaped like a kidney.. I think I have a picture of it on facebook, Karen.. I'll find it and tag you..

The more you exercise the arm and get the blood flowing through the vessels, the easier it will be to find them, and get the needles in

[galvo]

Best wishes. I discovered that the reality was nowhere as bad as the anticipation.

[YLGuy]

Squeeze, squeeze, squeeze.  Use those soft stress balls.  I did it at least 1000 a day at different intervals. Good luck on Friday and of course keep us posted on your possible donor.

[Ang]

as those above had said a squeezy ball works,but they will usually wait the standard 4-6 weeks

[Poppylicious]

Blokey didn't have a squeezy-stress ball, but he does do a lot of driving and that seemed to do the trick!  Hope it all goes well for you on Friday.

[Jean]

 No suggestions, just wanted to wish you the best of luck.   

[willowtreewren]

Good luck, Karen. I'm hoping that all goes smoothly and you find that you have more energy and actually start feeling better.

Don't let them take off too much and make you crash. 

If you start feeling light-headed or sick, TELL THEM and make them back off on the fluid removal.

Will be thinking of you.

Aleta

[Sax-O-Trix]

   I hope all goes well.  On the positive side, you are going into this well informed.  I will be thinking of you tomorrow evening.

[kitkatz]

Good luck sweetie. Keep us updated on how you do Friday.

[del]

DON'T let them use your fistula until it is well developed - at least 4 -6 weeks!!  Stress balls work well.  Hubby wore out 2!!

[AguynamedKim]

I hope your experince with D is a positive well and goes as well as possible. Will be thinking positive thoughts tomorrow and through the weekend for you. 

[Riki]

dumb question, but have you felt or listened to your fistula yet?  It should have a nice buzz going on by now

Let us know how things go on Friday

[cookie2008]

usually the dialysis center will have something for you to use to exercise you fistula, my center waited for the ok from my surgeon as to when they could use my fistula. 

For your first dialysis treatment just try to relax it seems really scary but its not, watch tv, sleep, read.  And the most important ask alot of questions it will help you understand your treatments better.

 

[Chris]

Karen, I can send a soft squeeze ball, egg, penguine, foot, brain, but not my squeeze kidney from NKF if you like ASAP. The egg is the smallest, but it's golden (in color that is )

[kamar55]

dumb question, but have you felt or listened to your fistula yet?  It should have a nice buzz going on by now

/quote]

Not a dumb question at all....always make sure your fistula has a nice "thrill" buzz to it

[KarenInWA]

Hi Everyone,

Thank you all for your responses!  I do have a kidney stress ball that I found, it's from NW Kidney Centers.  I will use that (wanted to wait a few days first, but I think it's time to start building that thing up.).  I only took my pain meds for one day, Tuesday (Tylenol w/codeine).  The temp access site doesn't hurt, but feels weird. 

I felt my "buzz" for the first time the very next day when sitting at the dr's office.  I had my elbow on the wooden chair arm and I felt it.  The fistula is at my mid arm, so I feel the buzz anytime I put pressure on my elbow.  I don't feel it when I put my fingers on the bandage though.  That should be okay, right?  My neph felt it through the sleeve of my sweatshirt on Tuesday, but then again, he knows what to look for. 

My sister has offered to take me in for my first D treatment, which I am thankful for.  I will let you all know how it goes.

Thank you again. your support is priceless!

KarenInWA

[monrein]

Thinking of you today.   

[YLGuy]

I am thinking of you as well. 

[boswife]

me too   

[Riki]

yep.. will be waiting to hear how things went..

[Chris]

Hoping it went well today, or as we speak.

[Riki]

yeah, Chris.. I think you're right.. it's as we speak..

[Chris]

I know what time she said she has her treatment scheaduled, butI forgot how the time zone difference is, so figured there was a 2 hour difference and she might be close to being done now in an hour.