I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: kitkatz on May 10, 2009, 09:15:37 PM

Title: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: kitkatz on May 10, 2009, 09:15:37 PM
What is the most important thing you have learned as a dialysis patient or kidney patient?



The most important thing I have learned is to be sure to ask questions of the medical teams I am dealing with and be up on what is going on with my own treatments.
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: willowtreewren on May 11, 2009, 07:34:43 AM
The most important thing I have learned is to look for information in several places. Don't just simply accept what the medical team says. Stay fully informed.
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: dwcrawford on May 11, 2009, 07:48:59 AM
That I am no longer in total control and that, if you live long enough, God's gonna get you....
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: cherpep on May 11, 2009, 07:50:43 AM
To embrace every moment that you feel good, live those moments to the fullest!
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: Zach on May 11, 2009, 08:24:14 AM
Trust but verify.

8)
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: MandaMe1986 on May 11, 2009, 08:26:55 AM
That you need a doctor you can trust.  And that you need to move forward and not back.
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: Rerun on May 11, 2009, 10:16:21 AM
I obviously haven't learned enough, and that is why I'm continually tested.

           >:(
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: Hanify on May 11, 2009, 05:46:53 PM
I have learned that I am a genuinely positive person.  No matter what, I always manage to see (create) an up side.  People have started calling me Pollyanna ha ha ha.
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: cherpep on May 12, 2009, 09:32:18 AM
How strong I really am.
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: peleroja on May 12, 2009, 09:53:23 AM
All of the above, and to keep a sense of humor about it all.
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: jbeany on May 12, 2009, 10:02:26 AM
Learn as much as you can so you can make truly informed decisions.  Remember that the doctors don't get the final say in what you want to do.
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: LightLizard on May 12, 2009, 11:03:45 AM
most people are insane and it's best  to let what they say go in one ear and out the other.
  :sir ken;
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: dwcrawford on May 12, 2009, 11:13:48 AM
HEHE...
Most people are insane.  Join them and enjoy.
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: Sunny on May 12, 2009, 12:04:55 PM
That I can learn to accept and adjust, no matter what happens.
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: KT0930 on May 12, 2009, 05:49:57 PM
That I'm the only one who knows my medical history completely AND my body. I am my best and only advocate.
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: cherpep on May 13, 2009, 10:53:16 AM
How lucky I am to have such a supporting, loving family.
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: Lucinda on May 13, 2009, 02:32:55 PM
That this site is far more informative than most health providers.  They just don't have all the answers....
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: Ken Shelmerdine on May 13, 2009, 03:02:41 PM
That the medical profession constantly contradicts itself in its knowledge of kidney disease.
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: Wenchie58 on May 13, 2009, 03:51:24 PM
I've learned that I truly CAN smile through anything.  And I have learned that all of you and this site are worth your weight in gold!!   :flower;  :cheer:
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: petey on May 13, 2009, 04:35:38 PM
I obviously haven't learned enough, and that is why I'm continually tested.

           >:(

Rerun,
Marvin and I have learned that we are going to be continually tested over and over and over and over again -- and then tested a little bit more.  There's nothing we can do except "ride it out."


***
I think I've also learned that I'm stronger and braver than I ever thought I could (or would have to) be.

I've also learned that I'm NOT the strongest one (emotionally, mentally, spiritually) in my marriage.  For the first nine years, I thought I was the one who "carried" our marriage through the emotional, soul-testing times.  When Marvin was diagnosed with ESRD and started dialysis, I realized I was wrong -- it's Marvin who passes out the inner strength that keeps us both going.

I've learned that a "different" life (by others' standards) can still be a good life.

I've learned that sometimes it's better to laugh than to cry.

I've learned that in spite of all of the setbacks and bumps in the road in the last 14 years that Marvin and I are two of the luckiest people on earth.
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: monsterman on May 13, 2009, 06:13:47 PM
Ask question..
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: MandaMe1986 on May 13, 2009, 06:20:52 PM
yes monsterman that is so ture. you must ask questions...
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: RichardMEL on May 14, 2009, 08:11:19 AM
A far from complete list:

* Just "do it!!" - you may never get the chance again! Live life as much as you can

* Don't sweat the small things - there's much more serious stuff to worry about :)

* Sometimes you just have to sit back and laugh at it all - and that can be its own therapy.

* Understanding is as much power over your own treatment and situation as anything else. For me it is important to know and understand what is going on and why.. and that will make it easier for me to do the things I need to do to make my treatment the best/easiest it can be.

* Listen to your body. It knows.

* Having people who understand you can share with is a godsend - hence IHD is an invaluable resource.

* The women of IHD rock!! The men too.. just in a different kind of way for me!!  :rofl;

* Being positive as much as possible can do wonders

Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: jbeany on May 14, 2009, 08:15:40 AM
A far from complete list:


* Understanding is as much power over your own treatment and situation as anything else. For me it is important to know and understand what is going on and why.. and that will make it easier for me to do the things I need to do to make my treatment the best/easiest it can be.


My tech is taking the test to become certified this weekend.  She has been studying like crazy the last month.  She's going to lend me her text book as soon as she takes the test.  along with everything else, it explains all about how the machines work - something I don't know much about.  I'm interested to read it and find out more.  I want to know as much as I can!
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: Tinah1968 on May 14, 2009, 10:49:11 AM
A far from complete list:

* Just "do it!!" - you may never get the chance again! Live life as much as you can

* Don't sweat the small things - there's much more serious stuff to worry about :)

* Sometimes you just have to sit back and laugh at it all - and that can be its own therapy.

* Understanding is as much power over your own treatment and situation as anything else. For me it is important to know and understand what is going on and why.. and that will make it easier for me to do the things I need to do to make my treatment the best/easiest it can be.

* Listen to your body. It knows.

* Having people who understand you can share with is a godsend - hence IHD is an invaluable resource.

* The women of IHD rock!! The men too.. just in a different kind of way for me!!  :rofl;

* Being positive as much as possible can do wonders

I learned that I am in control of my own destiny. Only I can make the adjustments in my life to stay alive.
I learned that My Family is my Rock
I learned that Friends worth keeping will stick around through the good and the bad.
I learned that I am lucky to have found IHD.
I learned that God is my Inner Strength.
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: twirl on May 19, 2009, 05:02:03 PM
I have learned there are worse things than a pap smear -
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: Wenchie58 on May 19, 2009, 05:03:24 PM
I have learned there are worse things than a pap smear -

 :rofl;  :rofl;  :rofl;  :rofl;  :rofl;
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: dwcrawford on May 19, 2009, 05:15:10 PM
I have learned that the anticipation is worse than the event...
I have learned that you can make new friends wherever you go (on a website or even a dialysis center)
I have learned the Richardmel doesn't want a picture of me in my speedos... go figure.
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: twirl on May 19, 2009, 05:16:33 PM
I have learned that the anticipation is worse than the event...
I have learned that you can make new friends wherever you go (on a website or even a dialysis center)
I have learned the Richardmel doesn't want a picture of me in my speedos... go figure.

heck with RichardMel     WE WANT ONE
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: dwcrawford on May 19, 2009, 05:29:39 PM
I promise you, YOU DON"T.
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: G-Ma on May 20, 2009, 02:17:38 PM
Nope, not me...don't think anything is worse than a PAP smear....where in the world did they get that word..smear??? It a dig and scrape.      :rofl;
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: willowtreewren on May 21, 2009, 05:21:01 PM
I have learned that I can waste an inordinate amount of time noodling around IHD!

 :rofl; :rofl; :rofl;
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: hurlock1 on May 21, 2009, 09:10:59 PM
Stand up for yourself and not only ask questions, but ask the over and over again form everybody. You might get the answers from one person and ask another and get another answer. There's this guy at the center that yells at the caregivers. Everyday. They tell him the answers, and he knows so much that he won't do what they tell him. All I know is that you can't tell anything to someone that knows everything. So listen to the answers.
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: dwcrawford on May 22, 2009, 05:24:26 AM
Alete, I know that your time isn't wasted.  We love you and all your comments.
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: RichardMEL on May 22, 2009, 07:34:21 AM
I have learned that I am bloody glad I'll never have a pap smear!!!

Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: kellyt on May 22, 2009, 08:17:19 AM
Come to Vegas, RichardMel.  I'll arrange a pap smear for you!  Count on it!

And dwcrawford - we can't even get RichardMel to post a close-up photo of his cute little face!


I've learned that God has a sense of humor that I don't get most of the time.
And I've learned that it's possible to love and care deeply about people you've never even met.  :)    YET!   ;D
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: RichardMEL on May 22, 2009, 10:27:24 AM
think I need extra bits to make a pap smear happen.. so best of luck with that Kelly!! :) lol

would so LOVE to come to LAS... *pout* when I have a transplant I will be there for SURE!!!!

as for a close up... yeah you'd want to pap smear my face if you saw it close up!!!! :p
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: kellyt on May 22, 2009, 02:57:22 PM
It might not be the traditional pap smear, but you'll understand what us women go through!  ha ha   Just joshen!

Well, get that transplant then!  ;)    We want you in VEGAS!
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: twirl on May 23, 2009, 04:19:31 AM
Quote
as for a close up... yeah you'd want to pap smear my face if you saw it close up!!!! :p

Sweetie, your face is not where we would do the pap smear   :o






EDITED:Fixed quote tag error-kitkatz,Moderator
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: willowtreewren on May 23, 2009, 06:47:29 AM
Quote
Sweetie, your face is not where we would do the pap smear   :o

 :rofl; :rofl; :rofl;
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: MandaMe1986 on May 23, 2009, 08:23:20 AM
Poor Richard, haha. 
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: twirl on May 23, 2009, 09:32:41 AM
I don't know he might enjoy it -
to my husband a pap smear sounds exciting
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: MandaMe1986 on May 23, 2009, 09:36:36 AM
 :rofl; :rofl; 

Whoa I can take that a few ways..
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: Stoday on May 25, 2009, 01:28:48 PM
I have learned that I am bloody glad I'll never have a pap smear!!!

Don't you be so sure matey!

According to Wikipedia there is an anal adaptation of the pap smear test for anal cancers.

 :2thumbsup;
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: twirl on May 25, 2009, 06:23:38 PM
Oh Lord

a pap smear there also    :o
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: Aubrey on May 26, 2009, 02:28:18 AM
There are worse things than dialysis.

When I first knew that I was going to have dialysis I looked it up  (on wikipaedia, I think) and after a glance it looked really scary and I stopped looking, so I didn't know what it actually involved - practically, rather than understanding the concept of it - until I started.
It is a lot better than I feared; the worst thing (still, after 8 months) is not being able to drink - I must have been an at least 3 litres a day chap before, as the 2 litres I was allowed for most of last year was too little. The kidney unit gives you a lot of info about the filter, etc, but nothing about the 500mls limit. Probably they didn't want to scare us.
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: twirl on May 26, 2009, 04:34:58 AM
I'd like you know what your white kitty is saying - the look oh his face is priceless
you are correct, not getting enough liquids is pure hell :stressed;
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: RichardMEL on May 26, 2009, 10:59:59 PM
Aubrey.. TWO LITRES A DAY????? omg I dream to have that limit!! I am on 1 as it is!!!!

*big pout* lol

but I love kitty!
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: Aubrey on September 01, 2009, 02:40:31 AM
The two litres was before I started dialysis; now it's 500mls. And I am actually getting used to it, after 11 months - I did not think that would happen.

(Sorry to be so long replying; I've been away, and a bit ill, etc; and I've only just noticed that "posts and replies since your last visit" thing: no other message board I'm on has that.)


Aubrey the Cat was about yawn when he had that photo taken. But he is a gobby beggar. I got a recording of him being taken to the Vet (for his yearly check up) on Sunday; he howled all the way down the stairs - you could hear him from the 4th floor right down to the bottom.)
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: twirl on September 01, 2009, 03:47:06 AM
I love the photo of your cat -
love it -
and my cat does the same thing --- howls and howls and so does Lady Bird -- well all my pets do --
and my children used to and my husband still does -- and me to - on the way to dialysis
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: Stacy Without An E on September 01, 2009, 02:28:37 PM
I've learned that whenever someone asks me how I feel,I  simply say, "Fine."  I can't take that look of eyes glazing over when I tell them how I'm actually feeling.

I've learned that when women learn of my condition, I'm considered "damaged goods."

I've learned that hope shrinks the longer you have to wait for a kidney transplant.

I've learned that "broke" and "Dialysis" go hand in hand.

I've learned that no matter how bad you think you have it, someone always has it worse.

I've learned the only people I can truly depend on are my family.  "Friends" evaporate the longer you endure treatment.

I've learned that I have a fetish for beautiful women in scrubs.
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: RightSide on September 01, 2009, 07:53:38 PM
I've learned how many things are NOT covered by medical insurance in the U.S.
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: Des on September 02, 2009, 12:28:22 AM
I have learned that friends DO dissapear..... :(   we are just growing apart.... we really don't have anything in comon any more.
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: KICKSTART on September 02, 2009, 09:13:13 AM
I have learnt my IHD family is always there to help me through ! xxx
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: okarol on September 02, 2009, 11:04:59 AM

I have learned that there is no "right" answer for everything and everyone.
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: monrein on September 02, 2009, 11:59:24 AM
So many things really but especially to try and be gentle with others, even when we don't feel like it because we never ever know what struggles people are facing.    Even though I KNOW this I'm too often guilty of forgetting in the moment. 
Title: Re: The Most Important Thing I have Learned
Post by: twirl on September 02, 2009, 12:32:30 PM
time waits for no person