Darned if I do, Darned if I don't?

[FindingNeverland]

My dialysis doctor gave the ok to remove my catheter next Weds, I've had at least six successful cannulations, twice now with 15 gauge needles. I only had two infiltrations, one three weeks ago and the first time they tried using my fistula. My only qualm is that when the nurse who is good at cannulating me is off shift, the other nurses/techs seem to have a little trouble sticking me. I'm ecstatic about having the catheter removed though, I've been waiting a long time to get back in the shower. I think tomorrow will be the true test because Saturdays are usually when the 'good' nurse is off.

[AIRon]

That sounds like great news to me, getting your cath removed. I can share your excitement in about 4 weeks they plan on removing mine, and a full shower sounds better than winning the lottery right now.

[RightSide]

Remember that the nurse who is especially good at cannulating you won't be available for you for every one of your sessions from now on.  You're going to have to work with the other techs and nurses so that you can be cannulated by them as well. 

Sooner or later, you will have to deal with that. So why not start now?  You have up until the day before the catheter removal to decide if you want to postpone removal to perfect the cannulation of your fistula.  Hopefully the cannulation will go well and you won't need to postpone.

[FindingNeverland]

Very true RightSide. I think tomorrow will be the deciding factor for me because she's usually not there Saturdays. If I don't feel confident I may postpone but I hope I won't have to either. I will remain positive that everything will go well even if someone else has to stick me... that's good mantra.


AIRon I couldn't agree more, it's been seven loooong months, I think I might just take the world's longest shower. 

[FindingNeverland]

The 'good' nurse was not on shift Saturday as I expected and someone else had to stick me. They got the first one in fine, had a little trouble getting the second one in, I guess she lost feeling of it so she took the needle out and called one of the nurses over to get another one in, which she did and dialysis went smoothly. So I feel much more ready for Wednesday than I initially did, plus seeing everyone out at the lake today really made me wish I could be out there.

[sullidog]

I got mine out. There's one tech who can't stick me so when I'm in her section, the charge nurse will get one of the good techs to stick me, and the tech who can't she'll do the rest.
Troy

[FindingNeverland]

I definitely feel better about it and I'm actually having mine removed tomorrow, now I can hardly wait! 

[Fox_nc]

Congrats! I still remember the beautiful man, Steve, who removed mine after 7 months.   I think I took 2 showers a day, just because I could! Ohhhh and a long bath - have fun!

[wrenchturningredneck10]

I know I was HAPPPYYYY when they took my catheter out too!!!  Showered twice a day for a while, and still to this day, few things beat a shower!

Infiltrations suck....they infiltrated me with both needles not long after they started using my fistula, and then last fall.

Hope the removal goes well!!  I had a minor complication with mine....I started bleeding driving home!!

-Mike

[Bajanne]

What a joy it was to get that thing out!!!!  Showering again!!!!
Great!!!

[FindingNeverland]

It's out! 

I can't actually shower until Friday but it's out! It was a smooth and easy process, boy was I surprised when I saw how big it was.