I am my mother's keeper

ODAT

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Nala - Mom's Cat

I am my mother's keeper

« on: September 21, 2007, 12:24:58 PM »

Hello, first I would like to let you all know that I am very sorry I never got to 'talk' to Epoman. He had so much going on yet still made it possible for people in this condition to honestly talk to each other.

Next I would like to tell you all that I feel like I already know you through your emails. Already this site has been helpful. I finally decided it was time to join. I hope my intro isn't too detailed.

My name is Kim (46 yo but look A LOT younger). My mom was told two weeks ago that she had kidney failure. She is 73, and was told she was too old for a transplant. She is at 14% kidney function, has diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, high cholesterol, has had her left knee and hip replaced, will be having her right knee replaced on 2/12/07, and top that off with a big heaping of stress and grief.

We went 9/19 for an ultrasound mapping. I was hoping to speak to the vascular surgeon that day, but it was only the ultrasound. Mom has decided to do hemodialysis. She lives alone and gets very shaky and forgetful sometimes. They only mapped both her upper arms. From what I've read here, most people a fistula or graph in their lower arm. Here is the first of what may be silly questions - why can't they do a pic line? Then there would be no needles.

I have no numbers, the initial appt with the kidney doctor my older sister (Cathy 48 yo) went to and didn't ask for them.

I wanted to let you know what my mom's stress and grief is because I think in her mental state it will affect her treatment.

Lost her 8 yo grandson five years ago. He was hit by a car and killed instantly.

Lost her 49 yo son three years ago. Died from throat and lung cancer.

Lost her 76 yo husband 4 months ago. Died from a multitude of things: empysema, brain tumor, etc. Dad was in the hospital 2 months and passed there also.

Lost her 55 yo brother 2 weeks ago. Died of a heart attack. Mom was trying to call him for a week and finally called the landlord to check on him (mom can't get around too good). He had been dead for three days.

My oldest sister, Debbie (lives in Florida) found out on my dad's birthday (9/17) that she has diabetes.

If I go further back, she found her 62 yo brother dead when she went to bring him dinner. She thought he had a red hanky on his face, but it was not. He shot himself. She was alone with him until police arrived.

Her sister was 60 when she died from kidney failure. She had been on home dialysis.

So, we are at the beginning of a long road. I've read the stats on people who have diabetes along with kidney failure and the rate of survival is smaller. I know I shouldn't focus on stats, but I want to be prepared and not have my eyes covered because I'm too scared.

Oh, my screen name is ODAT - One Day At a Time. Something me and my dad said to each other every day in the hospital.


« Last Edit: September 21, 2007, 12:29:24 PM by ODAT »	Logged

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