Hello my name is Nikki in TX

[Bambino_Bear]

Hello everyone. My husband is 33 years old and was born with one kidney.  In 2007 during some routine blood work our Primary became concerned and sent my husband to a nephrologist.  At that time my husband was at 30% function. Other than the kidney disease he is healthy.  He is now at 12% and we have an appointment to see the cath surgeon on 9/11.  We are doing PD.  I am terrified and emotional.  I am trying to not show this to my husband and be strong for him.  I am bawling my eyes out as I type this.   

I have been reading a lot on this site and want to thank you all for sharing your experiences.  I know this journey will not be an easy one but I will be there right by his side the entire way.

[Shaks24]

Welcome Nikki. I understand your fear on this matter. I too am getting ready to start PD and have a consultation today with a surgeon for cath placement. I hope your husband does well on PD and that it makes him feel a lot better. There is a thread dedicated to PD and you should be able to get great information there. Again, welcome to IHD.

[Bambino_Bear]

Thank you Shaks24.   

[Bambino_Bear]

I hope your PD goes well too! 

[Shaks24]

Thank you. keep us posted on your husbands status. My wife came with to my surgical consultation today. What a blessing it is to have a loving wife when things are a bit dicey. Your husband is fortunate to have such a caring wife.

[Poppylicious]

  Nikki!  I'm a wifey too so I can understand your terrified and emotional feelings.  And the bawling the eyes out thing and not wanting him to know ... eventually you need to let him know/see; you're in this together and it affects both of you in different ways.  You need *huggles* and (emotional) support too or it will become too much for you. 

So, *huggles* from me! 

[Bambino_Bear]

Thank you so much Poppy.  I appreciate your kind words.  I saw on your blog that you donated a kidney to your husband. That is wonderful.  I think my brother-in-law might be a match and willing to donate, but if not I have already decided to be tested and even if I am not a match I am willing to join the paired donor program if it means getting my husband a kidney.  I am trying to look at the PD as a bridge to get us where we need to go. 

[Joe]

Hi there Nikki, and welcome to the site! This transition you are about to make is neither easy nor fun, but a lot of us have gone through it and are more than willing to help you two to. Ask any questions you have, we'll be more than happy to answer everything we can.
Good luck and keep in touch.

[Bambino_Bear]

My husband has his PD cath surgery on Thursday.  I am super nervous but trying to hold it together.  I want to thank everyone for their posts.  I come here after I get my husband to sleep and read everything I can.  You all are an amazing group of people.  Thank you.

 

[Shaks24]

Hi Nikki. I hope he recovers quickly and feels better soon.

[Bambino_Bear]

Thanks so much Shaks! 

[Bambino_Bear]

The home visit was today and it went fine.  Our PD training nurse was the one who came out and she was very nice.  Surgery on Thursday!

[Shaks24]

One step at a time everything will be fine. My prayers are with you and your husband for tomorrow.

[Bambino_Bear]

Thanks so much.

We have to be at the hospital @ 6:30.  My husband is sleeping.  I can not sleep.  I am nervous and anxious.   

I will post later on after we get home.

[Shaks24]

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your husband this morning. May the peace and the strength of the Lord which surpasses all understanding be with you.

[MooseMom]

I am hoping that as I type this, your husband is either already out of surgery or will soon be finishing up.

I think you are right to see this as just a bridge to transplant.  It is important for your husband to keep his body strong so that he will be a good candidate.  Since he is young and is basically healthy, transplant should be a great treatment for him.  But do remember that transplant is only a treatment, not a cure.  However, for most people, it is the best treatment available at this time.

It would be great if you could at least be part of a chain.  Donating to your husband will not only improve HIS quality of life but will also improve YOURS.  Kidney failure affects the patient's entire family.  Most people don't really understand that. 

We'll all be looking for updates from you.  You've come to the right place for lots of knowledge and support.  Many people really like PD as a dialysis option, and I hope it will be very effective for your husband.

[Bambino_Bear]

Thanks so much MooseMom and Shaks.  We just got home from the hospital.  Our surgeon was super happy with the procedure.  He said it went perfectly.  My poor hubby is in some pain but doing ok.  I do feel relieved that the surgery is done.  I call our PD nurse tomorrow to set up a time next week for her to change the bandages.  We start training 10/17.  I am excited for my husband to feel better.  Thank you all so much for your caring and kind words.  This is a wonderful place and I am so happy I found it.      

[MooseMom]

I am SO relieved and happy that the surgery went well.  The anticipation is often so much more frightening than the reality.  I'm looking forward to hearing how the PD training goes.  I'm sure that it will go just fine.  Now you two can relax a bit and maybe have a good weekend.

[Bambino_Bear]

Thank you MooseMom.  :-)  I will continue to update as things happen.  Who knows, maybe it will help someone else about to start down this road.  Everyone who has taken the time to comment and post their own stories was a big comfort to me.  Thank you all for allowing me to be part of your family.   

[Shaks24]

 

[MooseMom]

 Who knows, maybe it will help someone else about to start down this road.

Believe me, it will.  While it is always nice to welcome new people into our IHD community, it's also with a sense of sadness that there is yet again one more family having to deal with CKD or ESRD.  Very soon you will be answering questions from and offering advice to a new member.

[Simon Dog]

One thing that really helped when I had PD surgery was the home support RN told me to stop by the clinic any time I wanted a bandage change - I did not have to wait until one was scheduled.   I stopped by whenever it started to look a bit ratty.   I had a great surgeon for the PD cath installation, however, the RN did a much neater job of bandaging that he did at the conclusion of surgery.

[Bambino_Bear]

He is still in a lot of pain.  Before I had read that most people don't have too much pain.  He feels like a weenie lol.  He has been taking the pain meds pretty regular. 

[MooseMom]

He is still in a lot of pain.  Before I had read that most people don't have too much pain.  He feels like a weenie lol.  He has been taking the pain meds pretty regular.

Nothing wrong with being a weenie!  It happens.  The trick is to take the pain meds before the pain takes hold.  I hope he feels better soon.

[Shaks24]

People tolerate pain differently. Managing the pain is a key part of healing quickly. Hopefully the pain will subside real soon. Wishing you both the best!