I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: natnnnat on February 09, 2013, 03:47:09 AM

Title: Access problems II (too)
Post by: natnnnat on February 09, 2013, 03:47:09 AM
I'm glad Gregory might only have two more dialysis sessions to go. His fistula is 'not hot', as Paris Hilton might put it. The nurses say it is 'soft'. It makes a lump above the skin at the wrist, but the flow there is slow, while where the nurses find better flow higher up the arm, the fistula is deep. I can only feel the thrill for about three inches starting at the wrist. The result is that it can be hard to get those needles in. A couple of times he has swollen up and bruised up big time, and sometimes, like yesterday for example, we wonder if they will be able to get the needles in. I can see it hurts too, when they have to dig around. He would probably put the needles in himself, if he could find the fisula. Also its on his right wrist and G is right handed. Yesterday after much digging around, Gregory said, stop, take the other needle out, I'm going home. He wandered off awhile to collect himself, and they said maybe they'd dialyse with only one needle, which I've heard of before, but its not optimal. He came back, and said, no, put the second needle in. And luckily the nurse found the fistula. But it hurt going in, and stung toward the end of the run, and they hurt coming out too, I noticed. Darn and blast, this dialysis bizzo sucks when you don't have a good fistula. Nurses say if he wasn't lined up for transplant, they would get the fistula rejigged, maybe get it enlarged with balloons (I forget the name for that) or get it brought to the surface of the arm more.

That's all I have to say. Hot night here in Sydders.
I have attached a picture for show and tell. 

edited to add:  The photos are from last week, I think, he's not as colourful as that tonight.
Title: Re: Access problems II (too)
Post by: MaryD on February 09, 2013, 04:09:33 AM
Ouch!  Not long to go.
Title: Re: Access problems II (too)
Post by: frankswife on February 09, 2013, 07:55:44 AM
Double ouch! Frank looked like that more than once. His fistula is in the same place as your hubby's. He had angioplasty on it and so far so good. He had his catheter removed yesterday so they have to rely exclusively on "the little fistula that could." Wishing you both Good Luck.
Title: Re: Access problems II (too)
Post by: boswife on February 09, 2013, 11:20:24 AM
 :banghead;  cursses!!!   Makes me so hurt to see that!!  Poor dears have to go through so much  :'(  Im so sorry and  :pray; for a speedy and successful transplant soon!!   :grouphug;
Title: Re: Access problems II (too)
Post by: MooseMom on February 09, 2013, 03:47:14 PM
Waaaaaaiiiiiiitttttt!  What have I missed?  When you say G's "lined up for transplant", what does that mean?  Does he have a date?  Does he have a donor already lined up?

No wonder he stalled for so long before having to start D again.  I don't blame him one bit.
Title: Re: Access problems II (too)
Post by: natnnnat on February 09, 2013, 04:43:07 PM
He has a date:  Wednesday 13th February 2013 (13/2/13)  Yes that's this coming Wednesday.  And its his 13th surgery.  Luckily 13 is a lucky number in Italy.
He has a donor:  his sister Kerry, who is a 100% match, well that's what they say.
Title: Re: Access problems II (too)
Post by: MooseMom on February 09, 2013, 10:46:27 PM
He has a date:  Wednesday 13th February 2013 (13/2/13)  Yes that's this coming Wednesday.  And its his 13th surgery.  Luckily 13 is a lucky number in Italy.
He has a donor:  his sister Kerry, who is a 100% match, well that's what they say.

How in the world did I miss this news?  THIS COMING WEDNESDAY???????!!!!!!  Oh, thank God for this!! :clap;
Title: Re: Access problems II (too)
Post by: willowtreewren on February 10, 2013, 05:35:21 AM
Oh, my! Was this the best kept secret??

I'm so glad he doesn't have long to go. I know how much that digging hurts, and the infiltrations. Ow!

 :grouphug;

Well, hip, hip for wonderful sisters.  :2thumbsup;

Aleta
Title: Re: Access problems II (too)
Post by: natnnnat on February 10, 2013, 07:01:12 AM
Yeah I guess I could have made a better announcement than that.  It's been coming and not coming and scheduled and cancelled for so long now... plus its kind of ... I dunno.  I don't feel very good about making a splash about having a donor.  There are so many good people here who have waited a long time, you know how it is.  Anyway, yeah.. only three more sleeps (its 1:59am on Sunday night / Monday morning here, I'm a good student aren't I - trying to get this thesis done before the big day).
I'll just to a quiet little banana dance  :bandance; but you know, what if I jinx everything with that tiny boogy?  Pretend you didn't see it  8)
Title: Re: Access problems II (too)
Post by: MooseMom on February 10, 2013, 09:26:54 AM
Yeah I guess I could have made a better announcement than that.  It's been coming and not coming and scheduled and cancelled for so long now... plus its kind of ... I dunno.  I don't feel very good about making a splash about having a donor.  There are so many good people here who have waited a long time, you know how it is.  Anyway, yeah.. only three more sleeps (its 1:59am on Sunday night / Monday morning here, I'm a good student aren't I - trying to get this thesis done before the big day).
I'll just to a quiet little banana dance  :bandance; but you know, what if I jinx everything with that tiny boogy?  Pretend you didn't see it  8)

I understand entirely.  I apologize for being so loud-mouthed in my questions.  I shouldn't have done that; I should have conveyed my congrats via PM.  I'm very sorry.  But at the same time, I am happy for you both.
Title: Re: Access problems II (too)
Post by: lmunchkin on February 10, 2013, 10:30:22 AM
Congrats in advance, Natn.  Hope all goes well for Gregory.  After looking at those pic's, he has been through so much.  What an Angel he has in his sister!

God Bless,
lmunchkin :kickstart;
Title: Re: Access problems II (too)
Post by: cariad on February 10, 2013, 01:07:40 PM
Yeah I guess I could have made a better announcement than that.  It's been coming and not coming and scheduled and cancelled for so long now... plus its kind of ... I dunno.  I don't feel very good about making a splash about having a donor.  There are so many good people here who have waited a long time, you know how it is.  Anyway, yeah.. only three more sleeps (its 1:59am on Sunday night / Monday morning here, I'm a good student aren't I - trying to get this thesis done before the big day).
I'll just to a quiet little banana dance  :bandance; but you know, what if I jinx everything with that tiny boogy?  Pretend you didn't see it  8)
I have not seen a thing and I am certainly not jumping up and down with joyful surprise, fingers, toes, and the rest crossed, wishing Gregory and his sister all the luck in the world. I wouldn't do that. Too showy.

I am the picture of calm as I await updates on Gregory's condition.

Sending peace and strength to you, Mrs. No matter what, this is going to be quite the week for you and yours.  :grouphug;
Title: Re: Access problems II (too)
Post by: natnnnat on February 10, 2013, 02:46:12 PM
Quote
No matter what, this is going to be quite the week for you and yours.
Hmm yes I have the feeling its all going to be mad for a while now.  One more dialysis today, probably another tomorrow and then...
Title: Re: Access problems II (too)
Post by: cariad on February 12, 2013, 01:21:04 PM
It is 8:20 AM in Sydney right now if I am not mistaken, and I am thinking of you and Gregory and his sister.