I start tomorrow

[Pam]

I went to the center today. Fillled out the paper work and got my schedule. M W F. So tomorrow is my first treatment at 6:45 am. Only problem with that is I'm a night owl! It's a 30 min drive and I've never set an alarm for 5 am.
I forgot to ask about cell phones but they do have wireless internet.
so that's a plus. I can take juice and crackers in case I have an issue with BS. They gave  me a very nice big tote bag and blanket. The nurse admitted it's cold. I will take my own though this one is pretty thin. I will get my Prakrit and zemplar during treatment and since My Neph is the director  I don't have to go to his office anymore. That will save me 3 co-pays. Thanks to  all of you, I think it will be OK.     
Pam

[jbeany]

Hang in there, Pam.  The first few runs are the worst - it takes a bit for your dry weight to get set, and for your body to get used to the changes.

I'm a night owl, too, and when I started back to in-center, the only opening was 6 am.  I get up at 4:30 now.  I thought I'd despise it, but it's not as bad as I thought.  I don't like getting up to an alarm at any time of the day, so I guess it doesn't matter if it's 4 am or 10 am.  Now that I'm adjusted to going to bed earlier, it's actually nice to have the rest of the day when I'm done MWF at 11.  I do seem to get a lot more done the rest of the week, too, since I'm usually up by 8 am now. 
I see a lot more daylight now, too, and I think it helps my mood.

[MandaMe1986]

Good luck Pam.  Let us know how it goes. 

[paris]

We'll be thinking of you tomorrow.  Hope the treatment goes as well as possible.  Let us know how you do.

[kellyt]

I hope it goes smoothly for you tomorrow.  Maybe it's a good thing you're a night owl.  Maybe you will be able to sleep through most of your treatment, but maybe not until you are comfortable with the staff and stuff.    Good Luck!

[Ang]

good  luck

[mikey07840]

  Good Luck!

[Bajanne]

You are going to your first dialysis with your IHD family right there with you.    I trust everything goes well.  Please give us all the details of your first big D!
I am M W F as well, but my official time is noon.

[angellady07]

Pam I'm sending positive thoughts your way. The first day can be a little scary. Remember you aren't alone. Taking your own blanket is a good idea. My temperature setting is 37.5  which is the max and I'm still cold. You might want to take a pillow. It makes the recliner a little more comfy. Keep us posted.

[Rerun]

Best of luck.... they are usually pretty nice the first day!

                                         

[Pam]

Thank you everyone for the well wishes! The first day is over and I'm glad to say it was a smooth one. I got a big glass of ice and a password to use the internet. I was very tired getting up that early but didn't fall to sleep. Too many people to talk to. I was expecting noise and comotion but it was very quiet.  Each section has 4 chairs and none of them were full. Didn't have to use headphones for the tvs and you still didn't hear anyone elses.

They used small needles and I didn't feel a thing. I was surprised that when I removed the bandage at home there was no blood. They told me that as soon as they use bigger needles they will start button holes. I go back tomorrow and Fri and then next week start MWF .I did have a headache and felt wobbly for a while but nothing that a good nap didn' take care of.

So if you are just sarting Dialysis my advice  is to read this site and dodn't be afraid. I think the fear it's self is the worst thing.

am

[kellyt]

Yea!  I'm so glad it was a noneventful session.  Hopefully you will have many more good days than bad!  I'm glad your 1st day is over!

[monrein]

   Hope the noneventfulness continues for you Pam.

[David13]

Great to hear, Pam!   

[Stoday]

I expect to start later this year, so it was very helpful to hear how you got on.

Very pleased to hear that it all went well.

[MandaMe1986]

I am happy to hear it went so smooth.  I hope it continues.   

[angellady07]

Pam, I'm so glad everything went well. Take care. 

[Rerun]

Sounds like you have a great center.  I hope your success continues.  But, remember on those bad days you have us to talk to.

Glad you feel okay.                   

[Bajanne]

I totally agree with Rerun.   My first sessions were quite okay as well.  Just prepare yourself for the ones that are not so good.
Your centre sounds great. Internet!!!!!!

[Pam]

Well the second day was pretty much like the first except for the headache. Never do I want one of them again!!. The nurse said that tomorrow they would run without taking off any fluid. I know I'm not retaining water at all. I can still see and feel all of the bones in my feet , legs and ankles. I weigh myself as soon as I get up every am and today I weigh 3 lbs less trhan I did on Mon. 

I' so glad they have internet. But I need a new notebook. My laptop is a 15 in sscreen and is to heavy and slippery to operate one han handed. So any one that can recomend something let me know.

Pam

[willowtreewren]

You will probably feel better if they don't take off extra fluid. You must still have some functioning. I always had to fight about taking off too much fluid from my husband.

It might take them a while to get your dry weight right. Speak up. You know your body better than they do!

Here's for continued success.

Aleta

[Maxridex]

Good luck Let us know your journey of dialysis.

[dkerr]

There's a guy at my center who is on his cell phone for nearly the whole 4 hours.

[Lucinda]

I use to get horrendous headaches because they were trying to take off fluid that wasnt there.  Now when the first sign of one appearsI give myself Saline and the headache disappears.