Hi, I'm Lisa

[carson]

Hi Everyone!!

My husband found this forum for me, hoping maybe I can find others like myself and maybe let off some steam while meeting others like me.

I have been on PD for 10 years. I hate it. I mean, I'm glad of all the illnesses possible I have one that is at least manageable. I do, however, find it a big pain in my butt and a complete waste of time. I have become bitter that I've been waiting so long for a transplant but as a rule I'm pretty happy with life.

When I was 14 I was very ill. My doctor had no clue what was wrong. I was severely underweight and anemic - my parents seemed to think I was anorexic and sent me for tests. I was put on iron pills. I was given anavar (for people with aplastic anemia). Nothing helped. I slept all the time. I was undersized. Finally my doctor sent me to a specialist who knew right away what was wrong. He sent me to Sick Kids Hospital in Toronto for tests. And test they did. Holy crap!! They wouldn't tell us what was wrong with me but I kinda clued in when my roommate told me she had just had a kidney transplant!!  A week later I was on PD. Not too great for a kid in grade 10. I was on dialysis for 9 months when I got the call for transplant. It worked like a charm from the moment they put it in!!! I had a brief period of rejection which was treated with RATS and Solumedrol. This was 1982.
That kidney worked very well for 15 yrs. Then, in 1997,  I admitted to myself it was time to have dialysis once again. I had my catheter inserted and have been doing PD ever since. I have had 2 calls for transplant but my antibodies are very high and neither kidney was a good enough match. The first call got me fired from my job. Caught me off guard completely, but I went to Human Rights and sued her for wrongful dismissal. My husband was instrumental in that - he's a boat rocker. Subsequently, I was blacklisted in the area and had to leave my career of 17 years.
I don't know how well it's working now. My drain time has increased. My drain volume has decreased. I have some edema, though I pee every now and again. My energy level seems to be slipping, mind you I don't sleep all that well. I work full time and my work is pretty physical. My husband is currently an unemployed pilot so all the financial burden is on me. I'm pretty stressed!
The only thing that gets me through is the great relationship and support I have from my husband. That and my horse, who is my therapist and confidant. I go to him every day to feed, clean his stall and groom him. I don't ride right now due to the weather. My doctor has a fit that I ride at all!!  but just being around him takes most of my stress away!! I got him (Carson) 6 months after starting PD again. I needed the therapy. I was working in a very demanding career at the time, working 60 hour weeks and didn't have any support from my then-partner. This horse saved me from insanity!! And in return, I saved this retired racehorse from being sent for meat.
I also have a pitbull, who is like my kid. Despite what the media tells you, these are the most wonderful pets imaginable. They are very loving and playful. They seem to be telepathic (like many animals) in that they know when you're not feeling too good and will comfort you best they can. The only problem with a dog like Petey is his energy level. He will go and go and go...it's hard to keep up some days!! They're a lot of work but worth every bit!
Anyway, that's it about me. I feel pretty confident that this will be my year for transplant. Just a gut feeling. I hope I'm right.
I look forward to meeting you all and to give you any insight I have. I also hope to learn a few things...

[Zach]

Hey Lisa, great to have you here!
 

[Sluff]

OUTSTANDING Introduction Lisa,

I am so glad your husband found us for you.Thanks for taking the time to introduce yourself. This website is intended to be your home away from home, offering advice when you need it, an occasional laugh and even more importantly an ear to listen to you when you ask questions, or just need to vent.

There is a lot of information here for you to read. If you need anything just ask.

I will be looking forward to your posts.

Sluff / Administrator

[thegrammalady]

feel free to rant, laugh or cry, we've all been there

[MyssAnne]

Hi Lisa!  Welcome aboard! Your animals sure do give you a lot of loving, don't they? I need a pet, darn it!

[angela515]

 

[Joe Paul]

Welcome Lisa, good to have you abaord.

[jedimaster]

 

[KICKSTART]

Hi Lisa , another horsey person here , but in the UK . I do CAPD and told i had to give up riding after 30 odd years of doing just about everything with horses. I sold my last horse who was also a retired racehorse (an irish tb) and miss him sooooo much ! Would be interesting to know if doing PD affects your riding at all? 

[kitkatz]

Welcome to IHD. 
Pull up a chair and join us awhile. 
We spin stories of intrigue and delight all over this site. 
I hope you will come back frequently.

[kimcanada]

Hi Lisa you must be in Ontario are you?   

Kim

[Bajanne]

Hi, Lisa!  Welcome to our community.  That was a great intro!  I was about to tell you that this is the kind of intro that Epoman (the founder of this site) likes.  But we lost Epoman last week.  However, I don't want to be morbid in your introduction.  We are so glad to have you.  This site is the place for a person like you.  You are free to vent.  You are in a place where people really understand what you are going through.  But you are blessed.  I was so happy to hear of how supportive your husband is.  I am looking forward to hearing much more from you in the different sections of our site.  What about a picture of you, of Carson?  Here is a group hug from all of us.

Bajanne, Moderator

[okarol]

  Hi Lisa,
Welcome to IHD!
  Karol

[carolyn77531]

 

[anja]

   Lisa to the community!

[tubes]

  Lisa.  Nice Intro.

Wow, 10 yrs on PD.  Thats a long time.  I was on PD for 9 yrs.  The last 2 yrs. I've been on hemo.  I experienced the same symptons...less drain volume and a whole lot of edema.  Went into the hospital about 160 #'s, came out around 117 #'s....give or take. 

Your husband found a great website for u.  Actually it is our community, our family. 
You'll find tons of support. 

~Robert

[kelliOR]

Lisa,

Nice Intro!!  Glad you're here!        kelli

[joanna2007]

Welcome Lisa,

    I'm a newbie here too. 
 
    I certainly understand your love for animals.  If it wasn't for my dog, I'd probably never go for walks. 

                                    Joanna

    pic of my typical nap time

[joanna2007]

oops.....I thought the pic would have come through smaller....
                                                    sorry,
                                                           Joanna

[MyssAnne]

Joanna....I want that cat!!!! Darn it!!! Seriously, animals are great therapy.
Since I live alone and can barely take care of myself, I don't feel up to
the responsiblities of a pet, even a cat.

[joanna2007]

Animals are great company.  Maybe you could get a cat, they're very easy to care for, they at least sleep 22 hours a day.     Not near as hard to care for as Lisa's horsey.

[billoggblog]

  Lisa,

[Earlinda]

   I love my two cats and don't know what I would do without them.  I have always thought that horses were beautiful and majestic but they are just not quite my thing.  Being a fellow animal lover though I welcome you to the site.

Earlinda

[mymoonring]

Hey welcome LIsa,  Also a doggie lover her have a Rodesian ridge back/ pit  and mostly a loveable 112 pound lap puppie. He has helped me some difficult times and made the blues go away. I have been on hemo for two years now grrrrr.   At treatment  they all have to count to 10 , lots of times I drive them crazy, My main troubles is sitting still because i am an active person > I am soon starting  Nx stage at home, I believe that will help and calm down some of my angiety Again welcome Kelley

[goofynina]

Hi Lisa,  Welcome to Ihatedialysis.com.  I am also happy that your hubby found us for you.  We are just what you need, an awesome support group.  I hope in time you post pics of your horse and your pit (and of course you and your hubby as well)  we have a family album and we also have an album for our pets in "off topic"  Looking forward to hearing more from you. 

Goofynina/Admin.