If it weren't for IHD...

[paris]

My brother just emailed me a picture he took of us at Christmas.  All I could see was how pale I look. There is no color left in my face.  How can people look at me and think I look good?  I look like death warmed over!!  I even had blush on and still no color.   Don't you just want someone to say "my God you look tired and worn out"?  I don't even know what looking good is any more.  Good compared to what?? 

Angela, I keep telling my daughters if they date someone younger than them, they can train him the way they want to!   I am so happy you have someone to share things with right now.  You deserve some good things in your life.

[Bajanne]

That sounds great!  My caring thoughts and prayers are with you.  You go, girl!

[KT0930]

I had the conversation with MY MOTHER three weeks ago about the whole "you look so good" thing, and told her that if half the people who needed kidney transplants looked as bad as people on chemo do, maybe we wouldn't have the problem with not enough donors. I've always thought of my family as very open to this conversation, since both my parents have donated to me, and are willing to talk about it, but she basically told me to get over it. 

[angellady07]

In my opinion, the only people who truly understand this disease are the ones who live it. People may try to understand but it's impossible. My sister came over for a visit today. She asked me " How long before you're on dialysis ?" I explained that my GFR is 9 and I go on at 7. She then stated " I certainly wouldn't want to live that way". I told her that's her opinion and she's entitled to it however, when the time comes I choose to live and make the most of my life. She proceeded to tell me that I look like hell. I felt like saying, gee thanks I'm sick what's your excuse?

[goofynina]

Geeze, i must look like shit, i have NEVER been told "you look good" lol,   oh well, 


Angela,  i thought you were young, and you say this guy is way younger??  Please make sure you know what your getting into, has he been in a previous relationship?  I just dont want you (or those darling kids) getting hurt.  Just take care and take it S L O W (know what i'm sayin')

[kellyt]

Geeze, i must look like shit, i have NEVER been told "you look good" lol,   oh well, 

You look GOOD girl!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   

[angela515]

Geeze, i must look like shit, i have NEVER been told "you look good" lol,   oh well, 


Angela,  i thought you were young, and you say this guy is way younger??  Please make sure you know what your getting into, has he been in a previous relationship?  I just dont want you (or those darling kids) getting hurt.  Just take care and take it S L O W (know what i'm sayin')

I am old. I am 29.. How young did you think I was? LOL.

[Romona]

Geeze, i must look like shit, i have NEVER been told "you look good" lol, � oh well,�


Angela,� i thought you were young, and you say this guy is way younger??� Please make sure you know what your getting into, has he been in a previous relationship?� I just dont want you (or those darling kids) getting hurt.� Just take care and take it S L O W (know what i'm sayin')

I am old. I am 29.. How young did you think I was? LOL.

You are still young. Wait until the big 40 creeps up on you. I am told it is "wicked". I myself being 29 for the last 13 years. 

[angela515]

  Well i'm old to me, i'm not young.. as in I know what I am doing. 

40 is young, BTW. 

[Sluff]

I hope the best for you Angela and the kids. Age don't matter. What matters is how your heart feels. I think after 2 years and someone hasn't shown the Jekyll and Hyde syndrome, things are probably fairly stable. Friends first is good because usually you have shared some life experiences together and are passed the try to impress stage.

I think the reason people don't understand the disease and it's treatments are lack of education about ESRD and most of the time because of the lack of education they are powerless to help so it's easier to not want to get into the conversation of something they know nothing about.

[Romona]

I agree with Sluff. Indifference may mask a feeling of helplessness and sadness. 
I have found that out. Some people that I don't think care, don't show it in front of me.
People that have emotionally broken down in front of others (I have been told about), continues to surprise and amaze me.
It has been people that I have least expected.
I guess it shows that you never know what impact you have on others.

[st789]

I hate it when people think the tired thing is mostly mental thing.

[jbeany]

I hate it when people think the tired thing is mostly mental thing.

"Smile, you'll feel better!"  *SMACK*  Or suggest antidepressants to help with it.  Hello, that's not going to remove toxins or boost my hemoglobin.  I'm tired because I'm in renal failure and I don't have the energy levels of a healthy person.

[Romona]

I get a little ticked that people have to know my business, I had two follow up and some labs yesterday. Just because I wasn't at work, everyone thinks they can ask me why I wasn't there. My sister works at the same place I do. Because I wasn't there she was asking questions. When other people take off I can care less what they do. When I say that I have appointments they want to know what kind of doctor I had to see. When people I consider not in my circle of friends start asking questions, it really upsets me. I know people worry about me. But do they really need to know when I have a pap smear or mamogram done. If I don't say anything it is much worse. Then I am hiding things from people.  Well I just think you all need to know, I had my pap test yesterday. I will be having an ultra sound Monday. Mamogram on Wednesday. Colonoscopy on Friday!Now the people that stand by me and understand know what is going on. In other words "Thanks Guys." I love IHD! 

[paris]

Romona, it seems like people care more about our appointments than how we actually feel.  You know I will be thinking of you the next week.  Just let you mind go to our lovely kingdom and our knights in shining armor when you get really stressed!!      Are you in Eastern PA or Western? Just wondering because if I ever am in the right area, we have to meet!

[angela515]

I get a little ticked that people have to know my business, I had two follow up and some labs yesterday. Just because I wasn't at work, everyone thinks they can ask me why I wasn't there. My sister works at the same place I do. Because I wasn't there she was asking questions. When other people take off I can care less what they do. When I say that I have appointments they want to know what kind of doctor I had to see. When people I consider not in my circle of friends start asking questions, it really upsets me. I know people worry about me. But do they really need to know when I have a pap smear or mamogram done. If I don't say anything it is much worse. Then I am hiding things from people.  Well I just think you all need to know, I had my pap test yesterday. I will be having an ultra sound Monday. Mamogram on Wednesday. Colonoscopy on Friday!Now the people that stand by me and understand know what is going on. In other words "Thanks Guys." I love IHD! 

I hate that too, it's like, if I wanted you to know, you would know. Right?!?!?! LOL, Geesh!!

BTW, Will be thinking of you.

[Chicken Little]

If it weren't for IHD I would think that I am the unluckiest dialysis patient ever! 

Whenever it hits the fan my doctors always say "I've never seen anything like it"  or "The chances of something like that happening are 1 in a million."   Then I come here and find all those other 1 in a million people that just happen to be posters here and it's happened to them too.  What a kawinkydink.    

Thank you for preserving what is left of my sanity. 

[boxman55]

I am curious chicken little is your nepth an intern at Kaiser? ...Boxman

[Chicken Little]

I am curious chicken little is your nepth an intern at Kaiser? ...Boxman

   It makes you wonder, don't it?   My neph is actually very senior and respected.  I have to think those things are said in an attempt to mitigate responsibility though.  Kaiser is a little skeered of me.  I read in my file one day that I am litigious.  I've never sued anyone in my life, but I'm good at holding feet to the fire.   

[petey]

Chicken Little --  here's to all of us who hold those feet to the fire!  I do it, too!  I can't count the number of times I've told a nurse, doctor, tech, social worker, etc., "That's unacceptable.  My husband needs/deserves more, and he will get it -- and get it NOW!  If you can't do it, I'm going to your supervisor/boss."  And then sometimes I add a little "Grrrrrrrrrr" to the end -- that gets noticed, too.  When my husband witnesses this in me, he'll look at the nurse, doctor, tech, etc., and somewhat sympathetically say, "You better do what she wants.  She does own flying monkeys!"

[Psim]

"You better do what she wants.  She does own flying monkeys!"

 

[kitkatz]

Yes, I own some flying monkeys too.  And a large stick. And I use it frequently. Wham! Bam! Whack!   

[petey]

I'm going to have to get me one of those big sticks, Kit!  I've got a long list of people who are in dire need of a Wham! Bam! Whack! from me.

[kitkatz]

My list is growing daily!

[Ang]

if  it  were'nt for  IHD, i  would'nt  have  an  addiction  and  have  to  come  here  everyday  to  see  how  everyones  doing.