I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: General Discussion => Topic started by: dkerr on August 19, 2008, 06:22:19 PM

Title: Surgery on Thursday
Post by: dkerr on August 19, 2008, 06:22:19 PM
Have my fistula surgery on Thursday ... I will admit I'm having a  hard time with it.  Saw my nephrologist today.  He can'tgive me any kind of a timeline other than they hope not to have to use anything for 8 weeks after the surgery.  I asked if early next year and he wouldn't commit.  I go back in 8 weeks.  Wish I could just have a good cry and go on . . .





EDITED: Moved to proper section - Sluff/Admin
Title: Re: Surgery on Thursday
Post by: pelagia on August 19, 2008, 06:27:55 PM
It must be really hard.  Try to take it one day at a time.  I hope you have someone there to give you a hug.  Here's one from me. :cuddle;
Title: Re: Surgery on Thursday
Post by: Joe Paul on August 19, 2008, 06:30:25 PM
Good luck with your surgery. Hopefully it will be a while before you need to start dialysis.
Title: Re: Surgery on Thursday
Post by: flip on August 19, 2008, 06:43:22 PM
It's a piece of cake but you may need painkillers for a few days. I used mine at 6 weeks but hopefully you will have more time for it to mature. Good luck.
Title: Re: Surgery on Thursday
Post by: twirl on August 19, 2008, 06:47:03 PM
have a good cry; it helps
and you will be fine
Title: Re: Surgery on Thursday
Post by: dkerr on August 19, 2008, 07:14:13 PM
Thanks everyone.
Title: Re: Surgery on Thursday
Post by: Sluff on August 19, 2008, 07:15:36 PM
I will say an extra prayer for you in hope that all goes well. I will be thinking of you Thursday. Update us when you are able.  :grouphug;
Title: Re: Surgery on Thursday
Post by: Sunny on August 19, 2008, 07:18:39 PM
Hope all goes well. Good luck and be brave.
Title: Re: Surgery on Thursday
Post by: rose1999 on August 19, 2008, 11:33:37 PM
 :grouphug;
Title: Re: Surgery on Thursday
Post by: okarol on August 19, 2008, 11:36:28 PM

I hope you do just fine and it develops well. Hang in there. Each step is hard but hopefully you will feel better soon.  :cuddle;
Title: Re: Surgery on Thursday
Post by: Chris on August 19, 2008, 11:39:42 PM
Good Luck with surgery.
My suggestion is rely on how you feel when you think it is write for them to use. When they tried to use my fistula for the first time I told the tech I wasn't ready, it did not feel right. She tried anyway and failed. I soon left that center anyway. Pain killers might be a must, don't be shy to ask if you need them. Just pay attention to how your body feels and don't let them force you to use your fistula if you don't feel right.
Title: Re: Surgery on Thursday
Post by: Wayne on August 20, 2008, 12:29:09 AM
Good luck with the surgery.  I had mine put in about 2 1/2 months ago.  It is maturing well...haven't started dialysis yet.
Title: Re: Surgery on Thursday
Post by: breezysummerday on August 20, 2008, 01:20:32 AM
Ray's vascular doc said 'i'll just put a couple of shots of lidocaine...you'll be fine'.    We 'pre-screened/triaged' the day before and asked about pain meds.
Ray got a script for percocet.  And keep your hand elevated  (after the procedure)....try warm or ice packs.  Get something soothing to drink.  tea, warm lemon water.  ...baby that fist and yourself!
Title: Re: Surgery on Thursday
Post by: monrein on August 20, 2008, 03:25:33 AM
I'll be thinking of you tomorrow and hope all goes well.   :cuddle;
Title: Re: Surgery on Thursday
Post by: devon on August 20, 2008, 08:11:22 AM
Best wishes for tomorrow!  I had mine done in March.  Truthfully, I can't recall if it was painful or not!  Strange eh?  It's all healed now and with barely any scaring... just a thin line where the incision was.  I just took the pain meds as needed and got through it.

Tomorrow I go to the hospital to have my first dialysis treatment using my A/V fistula.  I'll be thinking of you and look forward to hearing all about it when I return.

-Devon
Title: Re: Surgery on Thursday
Post by: boxman55 on August 21, 2008, 03:31:28 AM
dkerr and devon best wishes to both of you. Praying for good outcomes...Boxman
Title: Re: Surgery on Thursday
Post by: dkerr on August 22, 2008, 03:08:28 PM
I survived . . .  :bandance;  It was interesting.  As I was waiting, I remembered my mother and how she went through all of this 40 years ago.  Her shunt was alot different than a fistula.  I remember my father waking her one night and them rushing to the base hospital.  Her shunt came loose and she was bleeding all over her bed.

My fistula is just above the bend of my elbow.  Since I'd broken bothwrists and had plates in both, thats where they put it.  Looks red and ugly, but I do feel a buzz. 

I was wondering how Devon did on his first day of dialysis.  Hope your doing well.
Title: Re: Surgery on Thursday
Post by: flip on August 22, 2008, 03:22:45 PM
Congrats....the worst hurdle is over. Don't forget to do your exercises. It will make it much easier in the long run. You will probably have some pain for a few days but that is normal. Just take your pain meds. Two buzzes is even better than one.  :2thumbsup; :rofl;
Title: Re: Surgery on Thursday
Post by: Sluff on August 22, 2008, 03:59:22 PM
Glad it's over dkerr. Devon how did things go for you?
Title: Re: Surgery on Thursday
Post by: twirl on August 22, 2008, 04:04:57 PM
dKerr    your dog is a beauty
and glad you are doing great
Title: Re: Surgery on Thursday
Post by: monrein on August 22, 2008, 04:12:16 PM
Mine's in my upper arm this time around also and is working really well so far.  Hope all the pain and discomfort is gone soon. :cuddle;
Title: Re: Surgery on Thursday
Post by: pelagia on September 01, 2008, 09:04:51 AM
 :cheer: happy to hear it went well.
Title: Re: Surgery on Thursday
Post by: Joe Paul on September 01, 2008, 09:07:29 AM
Happy it went well for you, as I said, I hope its a good long time before you need to use it the first time  :thumbup;
Title: Re: Surgery on Thursday
Post by: Marley on September 01, 2008, 09:36:43 AM
SO glad your surgery went well and successful!!!  Any kind of surgery is no fun, but my husband had 5 of them over 3 years and they are pretty easy to recover from.

Devon---Been thinking about you and wondered when your first day of dialysis was, knew it was soon.  Hope it was smooth sailing for you and will continue to be, your a nice guy.  :flower;

Marley
 :guitar:
Title: Re: Surgery on Thursday
Post by: devon on September 02, 2008, 06:27:33 AM
Thank you Marley!  That was so very kind of you to say.  I gotta admit... you really made me feel good.  Thank you!

And sluff, thank you too for your concern.  I appreciate it very much.

-Devon