Hi, my name is Cheryl

cherpep

Sr. Member

Offline

Gender: Female

Posts: 895

Hi, my name is Cheryl

« on: March 12, 2008, 09:25:53 PM »

Hi there! My name is Cheryl. I am 44 years old, happily married to the love of my life for 21 years, and we have 2 great children, ages 17 and 11. I work full time outside the home and love being a mom to my kids and wife and friend to my husband. This month (March 2008) marks 1 year for me on hemodialysis. I wish I would have known about this site when I first started, I had so many questions and had no idea where to go with them. My husband has been there for me along the entire path, being supportive, helpful, and very, very loving. The most difficult part of this disease has been dealing with the fear I have placed in him and my children. One of the benefits of this disease is feeling the intense amount of love and compassion from them.

After quite a bit of time away, I finally visited my doctor because, to say the least, I wasn't feeling well. After he read the blood test results, he told me to immediately go to the hospital, do not pass Go, do not collect $200. That was a life-altering moment that will always be a frozen snapshot in my mind. Within 24 hours, I was on hemodialysis and trying to understand the massive changes that were about to happen in my life. Although this has been a rough year - stays in the hospital, worktime missed, hours away from my family while at the clinic, events that I've missed, expensive costs that I've incurred, and changes in my family's lifestyle and diet - for me, dialysis has been a blessing. Even through all this and suffering that after-dialysis haze, I have actually felt better than I have in years.

I had no idea how sick I was. Before dialysis, I would arrive to work much earler than others in order to get a close parking spot, so that I would lessen the walk betewen the car and my desk, and that others would not see me stop 3 times along the way to catch my breath. I had difficulties moving from my car into my own home. Stairs petrified me. I would 'walk' in my basement each night in hopes of increasing the number of steps I could take before needing to stop, resulting in dry heaves when I pressed myself too far - 100 steps. I could not sleep. Each night, I would attempt to sleep in a recliner, in hopes of reducing the swelling in my feet, most nights resulting in tear-wrenching cramps in my legs and no sleep. I was gaining weight, even though I ate practically nothing. I didn't want to eat. I felt horrible all the time, and fought hard to hide it.

After about 2 weeks of dialysis, I realized I had lost over 40 pounds. Most of it was lost during the first week. My husband and I were both amazed at how I could walk laps around the hospital floor without wanting or needing to stop. I was hungry! I was able to sleep an entire night - and in my own bed!! Dialysis not only saved my life, but actually gave me some quality life back. I now do flights of stairs without getting winded! I don't care anymore where I park - I look forward to the walk. I went to a large amusement park, Cedar Point, this summer, walked around all day and actually enjoyed riding the rides with my hubby & kids. Dialysis is a miracle.

Sure, it's not all been peaches & cream (not fresh peaches, of course), I've resented the time away from my family while at the clinic - 6 hours/night, 3 days/week. With travelling, it was like having a second job. I had to get used to life happening at my home when I wasn't there. The responsibilities in my home took a shift, adding great amounts of responsibilities to my husband and children. I miss bananas and oranges! Of course, my body has gone through a lot of trauma, the surgeries, the bad pokes, the needle coming out during treatment, etc, etc, etc. However, I view these as just bumps in the road during my journey. I am very grateful to my family and health team, without them, I don't think I could have made it this far.

This far - I have just completed my second week of home hemodialysis. Hallelujah! I love having control over my care, my treatments, and my schedule. Of course, the best part is being at home with my family, with a terrific partner (my husband) by my side. I had a great training nurse, whom I absolutely love! He really cares about me, my health, and my success in doing this on my own. Also, I am very thankful to this site. By reading about others' experiences, especially with NxStage, I was encouraged to search out the right program for me, and actually entered the program with quite a bit of information under my belt. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I do wish I would have found this site sooner, but since discovering it, I have shared it with my doctor, nurse, fellow patients, and on and on and on.

I am not yet on the transplant list. I have some dental issues that need to be dealt with, and a little more weight to lose. I look forward to becoming a valuable member of this online community and sharing experiences with others that truly understand. So, if you made it through this very long intro, congratulations, you have made it to the end. I look forward to meeting and chatting with you all.


	Logged

Mimi

Elite Member

Offline

Gender: Female

Posts: 1033

For any who do not like me I use - prayer.