Hello from Australia

[spookytoo0]

Hi, I am a 47 yr old divorced mother of 4 adult children and 3 lovely little grandchildren.  I have polycystic kidney disease courtesy of my father who died aged 42 yrs in 1971.  I was diagnosed in Sept 2000.  I just commenced hemodialysis last week after months of nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite and diarrhea. 

 Thankfully the nausea has stopped and I feel pretty good.  Still get tired pretty easily but hope to help that by concentrating on eating a healthy diet and starting to exercise...apparently they say ...........Move it or Lose it

I have just completed my Diploma of Nursing and have now deferred going to university till next year to do a Bach of Nursing specializing in Mental Health.  I have an interest in Mental Health as I  also have Bipolar Affective Disorder.............diagnosed March 2009.

I am on a disability pension but my priority is to start working as an Endorsed Enrolled Nurse (just waiting on my nursing registration to come through) as I hope to work enough to save and travel the world.  Or at least Australia....Health permitting.

So thats me in a nutshell, I'm going to be hassling my Nephrologist tomorrow to get me on the transplant list.  In Australia they don't start assessing you until you are on dialysis.

Look forward to meeting many of you

Spooky

[Sue]

Hi Spooky Welcome to IHD, I'm from Perth WA, There's quite a few Aussie members here

[MaryD]

Welcome, Spooky!   I'm from Melbourne.  Doing PD.         

You've come to the right place for support and information.  There are a lot of Aussies here.  We're thinking of taking over.

[Henry P Snicklesnorter]

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[RichardMEL]

G'day Spooky & Welcome to IHD!

It's great to have you with us!

You do sound like you have so much on your plate, both with a big family and your education and proposed work schedules on top of HD.. but  it's fantastic to know that finally getting onto D has settled down your symptoms whih will definitely help you cope with the other stuff.. it's so much easier to function when you don't have unexpected/wanted stuff coming out of both ends!!

Definitely don't be scared to speak up on any topics here and join in the conversation, though I have a feeling given your intro post that won't be a problem (and yes, the "scared" line was deliberate!).

You seem like a very driven lady and I am confident you will prevail and reach your goals!

Look forward to seeing more from you!

Go Aussies! 

RichardMEL, Moderator

[lmunchkin]

Hello & Welcome Spooky.  What an Ispiration you are!  I wish you much success in your endeavors & with all that has fallen on you health wise.

Again welcome & God Bless,
lmunchkin

[Poppylicious]

  Spooky!

[spookytoo0]

Wow what a huge and unexpected welcome.  Especially from all you Aussies.  I have been busy adjusting to dialysis and yesterday had my first "well this sucks" kinda Dialysis session.  Up till then I have been handling it OK. 

I guess its to be expected......I'm sure we're all allowed a little pity party now and then and then its pull your pants up and get on with it time. 

At the moment my Chest venous catheter seems to have moved and is giving me choking feeling but not bad enough to make me go to the ER on a Saturday night.  If its worse, I'll go tomorrow.

Otherwise things are just fine.