Hello from Indiana

[Fisherman]

Glad to have this forum available because my wife and I have lots of questions.  I am not on dialysis yet, but I guess it's just a matter of time.  I love to fish and shoot archery in competition indoors and out.  I used to hunt, but haven't in the last couple of years.  I'm 71 years old and retired as early as I could from ford motor company.  I hope to keep up my hobbies but wonder if archery will be possible after starting dialysis.  My kidney disease developed as a result of an enlarged prostate....long story.  When the prostate issue was resolved, they hoped that the kidney function would resolve too, but it didn't.  We are hoping for a transplant, but have other problems that have to be fixed before I can get on the list.  I have a willing living donor, but have to have surgery to fix an aortic aneurysm before they will consider me as a candidate.  So, that's my story.  I'm looking forward to meeting other people on the forum.

[Vitality]

Hello, Fisherman! WELCOME!

Thank you for sharing! Please talk to your doctor(s) about the Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) option. Please read my comment on this post (look for the comment from Vitality): http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=29683.0. And learn more about PD here: http://www.davita.com/treatment-options/home-peritoneal-dialysis/what-is-peritoneal-disease-/a-brief-overview-of-peritoneal-dialysis/t/5483. I can almost assure you that while on PD you'll be able to keep up with ALL of your hobbies, including archery. 

[Fisherman]

We have checked out PD, and lots of people are encouraging me to try it.  I have a real problem thinking about having tubes hanging out of my abdomen, but I'm also worried about hemo...pain, vein problems, being tied down, losing strength in my arm, etc.  I'm still on the fence.

[Rerun]

Hello Fisherman and welcome to IHD.  I'm so glad you found us.  It will depend on where your access is for hemo dialysis.   Maybe you will choose PD (Peritoneal Dialysis) which would not bother your archery arms.

Read lots and come here often.

Rerun, Moderator   

[Shaks24]

Welcome fisherman.

[Vitality]

I had that same concern about tubeS sticking out of my abdomen. However, after all was said and done, there is only ONE tube, and its quite surprising how our brains adjust to things like that: very quickly, it becomes "normal", and during the day, I'm unaware of it unless I specifically check on it.

Most if not all peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients must undergo hemodialysis (HD) for about two weeks while they await the healing of their catheter installation. I experienced no pain during my hemo treatments. There is pain associated with both catheter surgeries, so this should not be a factor in deciding which way to jump off the fence. Clearly, the main factor is desired lifestyle and level of desired control of therapy and schedule.

Peritoneal Dialysis requires the use of the body's peritoneum to filter extra fluid and waste from the blood.

Manaul (Continuous Ambulatory) PD requires four periods of about thirty minutes to an hour per day to do manual fluid exchanges.
Automated (with the small machine) PD requires 20-minute connect/prep (in the evening/at night or whenever you choose to begin therapy), seven to nine hours of therapy (while sleeping, working, or other in-home activity), and 20-minute disconnect (in the morning or whatever time the therapy ends). Your day is left free to do... whatever.

Hemodialysis requires the transport of blood in and out of the patient's body to a machine that cleanses it.

In-center hemodialysis requires two to four visits, each of several hours, to a hemodialysis center where you will be managed by medical staff who control the entire process.
Home hemodiaysis can follow any of three different schedules:

• Conventional HHD - done three times a week for three to five hours. It is like in-centre hemodialysis (IHD), but done at home.
• Short daily home hemodialysis (SDHHD) - done five to seven times a week for two to four hours per session.
• Nocturnal home hemodialysis (NHHD) - done three to seven times per week at night during sleep, for six to ten hours.

Perhaps, SEEING what each process looks like will help you in making your decision:

Manual and Automated PD: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dyNjWyF1H8M.
In-center Hemodialysis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saJoipF4noY.
Home Hemodialysis: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jotaJ5kd6s.

[Poppylicious]

Hi Fisherman, and  .

[MaryJoe]

   Hi, Fisherman, welcome to the club!

[Bambino_Bear]

Welcome Fisherman!