First time using graft

[Adam_W]

I did my first treatment with my new graft today, and I have a lot of mixed feelings about it. The graft itself worked really well, but it was really awkward sticking it. My training nurse did the first stick, and she almost infiltrated me. I did the second stick, and I was too far to the side of the graft. We got it going, but it was a little painful, and I spurted blood everywhere. It also took almost a half hour to stop the arterial site from bleeding, but the venous site stopped in five minutes. It's really frustrating having to hold my site for THAT long. My nurse doesn't like using a clamp, but I'm curious if anyone has used a clamp to stop the bleeding, because if I REALLY want one, my nurse will order one for me. Hopefully I will get used to this really quickly, but right now my catheter doesn't seem quite so bad.

Adam