Going to Adult services/dialysis

[Maxridex]

Hii all =D

First, I'm very guilty of not being active on forum and deeply apologies for that. Yet, I'm here seeking your precious advices that would change my life. Recently due to my age 17, I'm going to be transferring to adult dialysis.

I have visited the place and I thought it's really good. Although most patient are mostly your age ( Yes, I'm feeling like entering a next level of my life) a bit old and have plenty of life experiences, is really good and interesting to know about. I will describe my new home at the end of the page.

The people is there is very friendly and the sister is very strict haha, They say that I may have a transplant at the end of this year ( my mum's brother as a donor ) Fingers cross  . Hopefully more good news coming up.

Questions: How to adapt to Adult life/ dialysis?

This year I'm going to be 18, I feel old haha. I'm just wondering about am I still one of the youngest here? I would like to add some member's email around my age If they feel comfortable of course.

Lately I've been to see a lot of concerts like my age does, mostly alone, rarely with friends. I've seen Ne-Yo, Boys Like Girls and I'm going to see Kelly Clarkson soon Can't wait ! Half term in England is awesome haha.

How's everyone been? I hope everyone gets off dialysis as soon as possible like my new sister says, ' We don't want you on dialysis ' I have a date have been to go adult is 30th March 2010, can't wait

Have a pleasant day and thankyou for reading my post.

-Matthew

P.s Live your life as if today is your final day on Earth and without regrets.

Adult home: I'm going to use the same machine like you guys ! haha I heard it's really good machine as well. Well my new home have their own building and 3 floors. Bottom is the dialysis unit, above is ward and the third level, I don't know yet. It's brand new and it's really nice as well The atmosphere is brilliant and it's closer to my flat + school too I will come out of the cubical and dialysis with everyone, which is a good news. Sadly, they said that I have to change my line to get a better flow on dialysis, which really annoyed me but it will insure that I'll have a better dialysis.

[Maxridex]

sorry for double posting, I don't know why no one is posting =(

[billybags]

Good luck with your "Big girls " machine.  Maxridex you will be fine. Just think of all the oldies you are going to meet.

[kellyt]

This post shows how dumb I am, cause I didn't know dialysis was separate for adults/young adults/children.  I never thought about it.  You will probably learn alot from the adult place, good and bad.  Good Luck!  Let us know how it goes.  Also, keep us posted on your possible transplant!  That's great!  Yeah Uncle!!!!   

[paul.karen]

Glad to see you back Matt.

Sounds like alot of changes have been going on.  I am glad to hear you are going to alot of shows(concerts).  Maybe one of the older people at your new unit will have a daughter whom also likes to go to shows  and you could then have someone to go with you.

I hope the sister is correct and that you will get a kidney soon this year.
Keep up your good spirtis and enjoy the Kelly Clarkson concert.

[BASSMAN]

Hey Max!

I am not on dialysis yet.  I am hoping to skip it and go straight to transplant. 

I like Avril Lavigne, she is cool and she rocks.  You might want to check out Liz Phair.  Another rocker chick with attitude, however, you might have to wait until you are 18.  She is a bit on the, well, naughty side if you know what I mean.

I don't know much about dialysis but I'll chat music with you.  I love going to concerts!  I am 48 years young but I like to think I am pretty hip for my age.  You are only as young or old as you act right!

Peace!

Do teens still say that these days?

[okarol]

My daughter started dialysis 3 weeks after her 18th birthday, so they sent her to an adult unit. The pediatric unit is at least 30 minutes drive away so this worked out ok. There was one other patient in her late 20's, but everyone else was between 35 and 85 years old. Most of the techs were pretty young but Jenna would just sleep mostly and did not interact.

[Zog]

At least you were lucky enough to have a pediatric unit.  My wife when she started dialysis at 12 and had to get special permission to go to the adult unit and they sent her home to do PD as soon as they could because they didn't have a pediatric unit near where she lived.

The adult units can seem interesting and depressing to a younger dialysis patient.  I remember visiting Jenn in the her adult unit for the first time about six years ago.  Jenn was 22 then.  There were so many old people that looked like they didn't give a damn and were ready to die tomorrow.  Don't think it is your fate to end up like someone in there.  Jenn was the only one who didn't have gray hair and didn't sleep most of the time.  Hope you find someone near your age to connect with.  Jenn made friends with most of the technicians because they were closer to her age than most of the people in that unit.

[RichardMEL]

I'm so sorry when I first read this topic I thought it was about visiting brothels or something !!  (oops!)

I can't imagine how that would be to be so young and stuck in an adult unit. I mean I'm 39 and I feel young - because I am the youngest by far (though we have had the odd 20 year old pass through from time to time) and definitely most other patients are over 60. Dialysis is hard enough for a youngster without having to deal with that aspect of it too.

Still I can imagine that this will be a good transition for you.

[billybags]

Maxridex, I must apologise, I meant " a big boys machine" silly me.

[Bub]

Please post more often!  I would like to see your picture plastered all over this forum.  If you dont get any people your age to email you let me know and I will email.  I am just a little over 18 though.

[billybags]

Bub, You wish.

[kitkatz]

I was one of the younger people in my first dialysis unit at the age of 36.  I am now 47, yes dialysis with the big boys for eleven years now.  The techs in the unit will probably talk to you more because you are a younger face and are attempting to live life more.

[monrein]

Maxridex, wherever you go I think you'll inspire and uplift people because of your great attitude and zest for life.  Middle and old age aren't contagious but youthful spirit in anyone is very catching...I suspect that the "oldies" at your new unit might soon be rocking out to Avril Lavigne and other artists you bring their way.  Best of luck in your new home kiddo (used as a term of endearment, because you're no kid...you're wise beyond your years).

[JennyGiggle]

hey,

Don't think we have talked yet but I am quite a young D patient. Im about to turn the big 21 this month. Have been on D for  just a few months. Yeh, I know what it is like. I think the smallest age gap between me and the other patients is about 30 years - but everyone is quite nice. I still tend to keep myself to myself but im opening up more. I'll PM you my email address if you fancy talking over  email. Do you stay in UK, I am in Scotland.

Jenny

=)

[RichardMEL]

I agree with KitKatz!

I find the staff talk to me more than most because:

a) I am usually awake and lucid
b) I do live a life more so than some of the other patientrs(who are all >70)
c) I relate to more of them I think.. or rather what I mean *I* make an effort with them to talk to them and not just about D... about their lives etc.

Yes, being the youngest is sometimes difficult(specially when a 75 year old keeps calling me a "good young boy"  ) but there are benefits - like they ALWAYS send the good looking medical students to interview me (gee, that's tough!) and yeah we all get on pretty well.

I just heard we have a new patient on the other shift to me - she's only 19. My heart really goes out to her that would be really tough.

[Bub]

Sorry.  Really maxiredex I am harmless.