Intro From New England

[BattleScars]

Hello, my name is Jake. I've been on PD about a year now. I live outside of Boston. I'm 39 years old and married. I'm pretty new to this dialysis stuff but so far I've been doing OK on it. No infections, just very time-consuming. I would love to make some new friends here and get some questions answered and even help others going through this. I've been trying to get on the transplant list here but I think I need to switch hospitals and the hospital where I get my treatment isn't being cooperative, they are pretty much telling me I have to stay with them.

[cariad]

  Jake!

Well, I see MGH strikes again. You are not the first to have a less-than-ideal experience with them. I spent 5 excruciating minutes on the phone with one of their transplant surgeons and vowed I'd never let them touch me, let alone knock me unconscious for a transplant. While I have never been there, I get the sense that their arrogance knows no bounds. They do not get to decide what hospital you go to! Let me guess: you're obviously toward the younger end of the spectrum for an ESRD patient, are you in good health other than the obvious, have private insurance and maybe even a potential live donor or two? There is a reason they are trying to bully you into staying.

Boston has many transplant hospitals. Find one where they will treat you like a human being and not a commodity. There are plenty of members in your area, but of course one of my favourite aspects of IHD is how I have got to know people all over the world. You will make many friends here who have gone through what you are going through, or are about to. Please make yourself at home and jump right in to any conversations that interest you.

I look forward to getting to know you better!

[MaryD]

Welcome, Jake!       

[lmunchkin]

Welcome to IHD Jake.  You will find many friends here that FULLY understand your situation!  So glad you found us.

Again welcome & God Bless,
lmunchkin

[renalwife]

Welcome, Jake 

[BattleScars]

Jake!

Well, I see MGH strikes again. You are not the first to have a less-than-ideal experience with them. I spent 5 excruciating minutes on the phone with one of their transplant surgeons and vowed I'd never let them touch me, let alone knock me unconscious for a transplant. While I have never been there, I get the sense that their arrogance knows no bounds. They do not get to decide what hospital you go to! Let me guess: you're obviously toward the younger end of the spectrum for an ESRD patient, are you in good health other than the obvious, have private insurance and maybe even a potential live donor or two? There is a reason they are trying to bully you into staying.

Boston has many transplant hospitals. Find one where they will treat you like a human being and not a commodity. There are plenty of members in your area, but of course one of my favourite aspects of IHD is how I have got to know people all over the world. You will make many friends here who have gone through what you are going through, or are about to. Please make yourself at home and jump right in to any conversations that interest you.

I look forward to getting to know you better!

Thanks for that information. I'm sure there is a way out of MGH, they just not making it easy. They are trying to scare me into staying but all the kidney patients I've talked to have had similar problems with MGH. And you pretty much hit the nail on the head, I'm relatively young at 39, and in decent health other than the kidney issues and have private insurance. They are making a lot of money off me. I was billed for dialysis for one month by mistake and I was shocked to see the bill was over $20,000!

[Poppylicious]

  Jake!

[Bajanne]

Welcome to our community, Jake!  You have made a good decision to join this forum.  I know I did!  Here you will find information and support when you need it.  This is a place that allows you to rage, rave, or just vent.  You will soon understand that you are now part of a wonderful international caring and sharing family  .  Please keep on reading and keep on posting.  We need to know how you are doing.  Not nosey, just family.
Looking forward to hearing more from you.



Moderator - Bajanne/