I Start Dialysis Today

[BobT1939]

After a couple of weeks of indecision on the part of my neph re starting on NxStage or in-center I will begin in-center dialysis this afternoon. I have read posts on IHD re beginning D with great interest, and find they run the gamut from non-event to horrible experience. So, as with all other things to do with medical procedures, I will have to try it on and see how it fits.

I got here as a result of 6 years of intensive chemotherapy with platinum compounds that began 30 years ago. Testicular cancer, the gift that keeps on giving.

Also currently dealing with a disseminated prostate cancer post-prostatectomy that is, thankfully, asymptomatic.

I'm sure I will have questions as things move along, and it's nice to know you are out there./bobt

[silverhead]

Wishing you the best on your initial visit, starting out with a good first impression helps the experience a lot, I think starting Sharon with the in-center experience was really helpful , went there for a little over a year before switching to NxStage. Observe the various techniques of the Nurses and Techs, The different problems encountered and how to handle them was a good thing actually.

[boxman55]

All the best on your first day. It will take a few treatments to get in the groove of things. Pay attention and ask a million questions...Boxman

[paddbear0000]

Good luck! 

[KR Cincy]

Good luck Bob...hopefully you have a great team of nurses and techs ready to take care of you. As boxman said, it takes a few visits to get in the groove, but I have no doubt you'll get it figured out. Write back with any questions and your first impressions.

[Joe Paul]

Good luck, I hope all goes well 

[angellady07]

Good luck Bob and keep us posted. 

[okarol]

Hi Bob, I hope things go well - thanks for the update. 

[2_DallasCowboys]

Best of luck, Bob!
Ask questions at the unit, if you don't understand
something-  and let us know how everything was

Anne

[Sluff]

   Bob, good luck.

[MyssAnne]

Good luck, Bob!! You are wise to do this first, you'll have experience and knowledge by the time you start nxstage!!

[KICKSTART]

Best wishes and 'if in doubt' ..ask !!

[goofynina]

Good Luck BobT, hope you have a very smooth first treatment (and all treatments to follow)  

[Ang]

good  luck  wuth  it  all  BT :thumbup;just  remember, ask  questions  no  matter  how  sily  they  might  seem  because  "information  is  power"

[Black]

Well, I posted here earlier today but I guess it's out in cyberspace somewhere.  I just checked back to see if Bob felt well enough to post when he got home.  With good luck the first day should be uneventful. 

My thoughts were with you, Bob.

[Bajanne]

Hope your first one was like mine - uneventful - those are the best.  As I told the nurses when I was leaving, you haven't given me anything spicy to put on our forum.
Looking forward to a blow by blow description of your first session.  Remember, we help others when we share these kinds of experiences.

[BobT1939]

Had a smooth ride on my first dialysis session. It was only two hours long, but will begin to stretch Monday. "Uneventful" sums it up, and I aspire to that experience in the future.

Pleasant techs and nurses, all of them that I met. Was surprised at how noisy the floor is. 50 chairs, I'm on third shift so quite a bit of activity as second shifters come off the machines.

As this is written at 11:30 AM on the morning after my first session I believe I feel better than I have for quite a while. Maybe not due to one two hour session, maybe psychological, but I'll take it.

I still urinate regularly so their wasn't much fluid to take off, only .4Kg.

Thanks to all of you for your support./bobt

[okarol]

  I hope you feel better and better. As you still are urinating keep a watch on your dry weight so they don't overdo the fluid removal.

[BigSteve]

Glad everything went well Bob. You and I are close in age and we
both just started in center hemo. It's definitely a unique experience.
I am still trying to find things to fill up the time that can be done in
public with one hand. I am still trying to find some type of lab desk
which will help me read while reclining. Good luck, Steve

[okarol]

Glad everything went well Bob. You and I are close in age and we
both just started in center hemo. It's definitely a unique experience.
I am still trying to find things to fill up the time that can be done in
public with one hand. I am still trying to find some type of lab desk
which will help me read while reclining. Good luck, Steve

This is a book stand that you mount on a side table - not sure if it would work for what you need, and it ain't cheap, but looks like a good idea. http://www.bookholder.com/item.asp?n=dbh&d=2

[Sluff]

  Glad things were uneventful.

[goofynina]

Glad to hear your first session was a good one, i hope all your sessions are just as good

[BobT1939]

Big Steve, that was a funny post. Loved it. Didn't try to read Friday, just watched news shows on TV. However, will have to solve the reading issue as that looks like the best time user to me.

[boxman55]

Just a thought. I belong to netflix and will bring a portible DVD player to dialysis and watch movies to pass the time. I just finished all the Sopranos seasons 1 thru 6) I talk funny now..Boxman

[Bajanne]

Now that is what I should have asked for for Christmas!  A Portable DVD player!  Guaranteed to take up the time!