Positive Things while on Dialysis?....

[Lillupie]

What are some of the positive things that have happened to you while you have been on dialysis?

For example a few years ago I graduated from college with a B.S. degree. This year on December 10th I got married to the most wonderful, patient man.

What about you?

[Rerun]

Ummmm  let me think.   

[Riki]

I met a lot of people in my years on dialysis. The ones I met as a child have become life-long friends

[KarenInWA]

My CKD brought me to this sight, where I have made valuable friendships, and I traveled to Las Vegas to meet some of them. I have met some wonderful people at my D clinic as well. Now I am dealing with the wonderful people at the transplant clinic at UWMC in Seattle.

The other thing that I liked about dialysis was I could eat protein again. I am a meat eater, and being told to severly restrict my protein was incredibly depressing to me. It seemed like *every*thing had protein in it, and it made me wonder "what do I get to eat???" I never really followed it, which is probably why my kidneys failed when they did, but, if I don't eat enough in a day, I lose weight. I can't afford to do that.

I was once told by a dietician when I was in stage 4 that I could eat all the jellybeans and marshmellows that I want!  Oh yay!!!

KarenInWA

[sparklelady]

I found out just how many people truly love me. I had a bunch of family and friends step up to be tested for donation. My brother is my angel. He donated on Jan 3 2011.

[Riki]

I found out just how many people truly love me. I had a bunch of family and friends step up to be tested for donation. My brother is my angel. He donated on Jan 3 2011.

I wish my family was like that. Not one stepped up and my brother flat out said no.  My mom is now trying to lose weight so she can donate through a paired donation

[kevno]

  kept my leg, did not die from that heart attack, have no fistula, so no needles now, just use lines in my neck. Met a lot a new friends on dialysis, only trouble is most of them have died. So do not make that mistake anymore, do not allow myself to get close to any renal patent( just good morning, see you next time) hopefully  as i limp out the door. plus loads more, but you will think i am just taking the iss (P)

Coming up to my 24th year back on dialysis without a break and still here! (That's the most Positive thing while on dialysis) plus I had those 5years on dialysis in the 70s. Plus a 7 year transplant which never worked, just hung on and kept me off dialysis.

Sorry just hate dialysis so much, been around dialysis patients nearly all my life. Well from the age of 6, then on dialysis at 10. To be positive is getting harder as each year goes by. As i say renal patients never give up. But i have seen more as the years have gone by who have given up.

Must be getting boring in my old age    or more 

Kevno 
 

[Gerald Lively]

Met a young black man and had a wonderful discussion of Blues music and musicians.  He was sitting next to a 300 lb man I call “Bubba”.  He laughs at my jokes for some reason.  A few weeks back I had the chair next to him and I managed to get all tangled up with the blood pressure tube and my blanket when I remarked, “What a mucking fess!”  He laughed for at least a half hour.  Gotta like that.  He has no front teeth and that enhances his image.  I just love diversity.

The supervising nurse is Mr. Bill.  The guy is a closet intellect.  He wows me.  Of course I remind him that he was born on Saturday Night Live. “Oh no,” in a high squeaky voice.

By the way, I hate dialysis.

gl

[sparklelady]

Riki, I will pray for you and your mom.

[Riki]

Thanks

[Big E]

Gerald, what a nice post. Thanks for making me laugh!
 

[Gerald Lively]

It is true that dialysis is killing me.  Feel crappy, crabby and all of the bad things I can think of.  This must be punishment for the jolly times I have had.  Why, way back in the golden days, there were four young maidens who were built for action when all of them  . . . . . Oops, this is a family forum, isn’t it?

[RichardMEL]

Gerald - you make a lot of us laugh - and as they say laughter is the best medicine. I am a strong believer in keeping perspective, or at least the idea that when you're dealing with stuff like this and you could either laugh or cry - then I choose to laugh.

Anyway my very first thought when I saw this subject was that the most positive thing that happened when I was on D was getting "the call" (I was literally on the machine at the time) and that was fantastic....

... but the reality is that I can actually "thank" D for a number of things that I consider positive:

- I have grown very much as a person (I don't just mean my belly post tx!!  ). I feel more mature and able to put things in context - with all that we have to deal with "not sweating the small stuff" is a rule for me.
- As someone else wrote above - knowing who your REAL friends and family are - the people that are prepared to stand with you(put up with you!) and

- I've become more generous both in spirit and in tangible ways. I think this has something to do with seeing many people in dire straights, and getting perspective.

- the staff who looked after me and my fellow patients - in the main a wonderful group. Specially the staff who were more mates than "the nurses" - I think we patients are like a second family for a lot of them - and hell some of them see us  more than their own families! It is a long term relationship/bond you forge so it's not like that.

- Not having to pee during movies

- If I didn't like some food I was offered I could claim it was not allowed on the kidne diet!!! 

There are others, but I can't think now

[Riverwhispering]

Richard I love that one about pulling the kidney card on not eating foods you don't like to eat 

I was just thinking of the potlucks I go to and that's a great excuse to use because some people get offended if you don't try what they made.   Thanks so much 

[Katonsdad]

Good things about Dialysis ...

Met great people .....

Get 3.5 hrs without being told to do something around the house,

Can drive forever without a bathroom break..... Make them suffer now!

Met great people on IHD ... All the members hold a special spot as you know what I mean and what I am talking about
'Bow thats special"

[Whamo]

The best things to happen to me after starting dialysis, after only 3 months, is the day after dialysis.  I feel great.  I enjoy the day.  Yesterday, the sun was out, and I was basking in the sun.  It's 75 degrees today, but windy.  Yesterday I got an email from London.  My niece, from New York, closed a $3 billion IPO in Mongolia, as a lawyer, and had time to email me.  I am so proud of her.  My nephew called to tell me he loved me, and he's a graduate of Wharton Business School.  I'm proud of him as well.  I realize I'm living on borrowed time, so I appreciate every moment.