I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: Desert Dancer on November 08, 2010, 06:36:21 AM

Title: Graduation Day!!
Post by: Desert Dancer on November 08, 2010, 06:36:21 AM
In a half-hour we'll be on our way to the center for our very last training session... one home visit tomorrow and then starting Wednesday we'll be on our own at home! I'm so excited! And SO nervous! I cannot believe I've actually accomplished this. I can't believe I actually cannulate myself, for starters, and then everything that goes with it. I can't believe I got precisely what I set out to get and there's a dialysis machine next to my bed.

It's still all so strange sometimes, like I've accidentally stumbled into someone else's life. It's very strange to look down at my new buttonholes and my fistula scar, and realize they will be there forever. It should make me despair but it doesn't - they feel like such an accomplishment now, paid for in infiltrations and tears, and they are going to buy me more time in this body!

I just wanted to share this day with people who will understand its significance. Thank you all for being here for me, even if all I've done mostly is read till now.  :thx;
Title: Re: Graduation Day!!
Post by: Tracy on November 08, 2010, 07:55:46 AM
Congratulations!  Sometimes, I feel like you.  Like it is not to despair, but be thankful.  Good Luck!

You can do it!!

Tracy :)  :cheer:
Title: Re: Graduation Day!!
Post by: YLGuy on November 08, 2010, 07:57:40 AM
 :bandance; Congratulations!
Title: Re: Graduation Day!!
Post by: Stoday on November 08, 2010, 08:02:58 AM
That's great DD.

How much time did you need for the training? I can see it took a little over a month, but how many days/hours did you need?
Title: Re: Graduation Day!!
Post by: billybags on November 08, 2010, 10:44:39 AM
So pleased for you. Hope every thing goes OK>
Title: Re: Graduation Day!!
Post by: boswife on November 08, 2010, 01:32:30 PM
i read this off my phone this morning and couldnt wait to get on here and congratulate you!!   :bandance;  It is so exciting to me to hear of your expreience.  WE're on wait right now for our NxStage training, so will be going through "it" all pretty soon, so this was HUGE to me to hear just where your at with it..  EXCITING to say the least.  Please, when you have the chance, write more on the nxStage section here as to how your progressing at home.  Again, CONGRATULATONS!!  Wish we were where you are already.. :cheer: 
Title: Re: Graduation Day!!
Post by: Desert Dancer on November 09, 2010, 05:45:11 AM
Thanks for all your well-wishes, everyone!

Stoday, I began the training on 9/28; I went every day for six weeks and spent an average of 4 hours a day, so I guess that comes out to about 120 hours of training. My husband only had to come in for four days towards the end, since all he was required to know involved putting me on the machine, getting me off the machine and dealing with emergencies. (He'll learn the rest at home.)

Boswife, I will certainly be posting my experience here now that I've got my time freed up. I'm so excited for you - do you know when you'll be able to start training?
Title: Re: Graduation Day!!
Post by: GraphicBass on November 09, 2010, 05:53:13 AM
Congratulations on your new stage of treatment.

I'm nowhere near being able to do home dialysis yet, but I certainly understand your feeling of "stumbling into someone else's life"! I feel the same way most days; it's unreal!

Best of luck!

gary
Title: Re: Graduation Day!!
Post by: kitkatz on November 09, 2010, 09:04:52 PM
Good luck with at home dialysis.  :yahoo; :yahoo;
Title: Re: Graduation Day!!
Post by: Riki on November 09, 2010, 11:26:51 PM
Awesome news!  It's not something that I could do, I don't think, but I love that others are able to.  I don't think home hemo is available here anyway, but with my eyesight, I don't think I could put my own needles in anyway, and I don't see my mom doing it either.. *L*
Title: Re: Graduation Day!!
Post by: chook on November 09, 2010, 11:48:28 PM
Wishing you problem free nights!!!!  :clap;