After 43 years, I'm finally having to deal with this polycystic kidney disorder instead of glibly forgetting all about its existence. I never completely forgot, but still, I spent the first half of my life paying little attention to my PKD. This year, however, my BUN level is 66 and my creatinine is 3.68, which led me to having a catheter surgically inserted two weeks ago for peritoneal dialysis. I start training on Monday. As I will apparently be made to stay still for hours at a time during training, I bought several books, including
Infinite Jest, for my amusement. I also have
Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls to break things up if need be. My main concern about dialysis is that I won't feel better. I've been entirely too low energy for a long time now, and I'm apprehensive that dialysis won't change anything. I expect it to keep me alive, however, which is the main thing.
I have no reason to post that smiley. There is such a cornucopia of smiley faces staring at me while I write this that I had to at least choose one and insert it whatever may come.
I hope dialysis becomes for me no more onerous than insulin shots are for diabetics. I'm choosing to do the all night machine driven version of peritoneal dialysis rather than the four times a day fill and drain procedure because I'm expecting to sleep for the majority of the time, which doesn't seem to be much of a sacrifice at all. I take care of my mother. She's 84 and while she doesn't have dementia, her memory has deteriorated to the point she is unable to take care of herself without assistance. I'm relieved that I'll be able to be with Mom as long as she needs me.
I appreciate having a group like this one as I embark on the next noteworthy event in my life.
I Hate Dialysis Message Board
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