Tomorrow is the day!

[woodsman]

Well folks after decades of fighting off this kidney failure i begin dialysis at 6am tomorrow morning. I am so not looking forward to this day but i have little choice. I always thought it would hold off another year then another but now the time has come for me to man up and get this thing done. The thought of sitting in that chair for 3+ hrs drives me nuts when i could be doing thinsg around the house. I fear these things will not get done as i will have limited time with working/driving 120 miles to and from work/ sleeping, it really limits my time working my 11 acres.... I don't even know what i should wear? something comfy? dress pants and shirt so i don't look like a bum... do i take my pills and potassium binder no one has said. What did you do the first time???

[MooseMom]

I don't have any practical advice, but I wanted to tell you that I...well, I don't know what to say.  I'm pretty much in the same boat as you are in, and I guess that soon I will be where you are tomorrow, so I have all the sympathy in the world for you.

Many people have told me that the reality of D is not nearly as bad as the anticipation of it, so I will pass that on to you in an effort to say something of value.

Good luck.  If you have the time and the inclination, please do report back to us about how it all went.

[willowtreewren]

Wear comfy clothes that allow access to your access! 

Take a blanket, too. Dialysis cools you down and they keep the temps in the centers comfortable for the workers, not the patients!

Take a book to read or your iPod for music. In fact take anything you think you might need to occupy your time so you won't be sitting just thinking about having to sit there.

Carl found all sorts of ways to keep himself busy during dialysis. 

Also, they will probably have you sign all sorts of papers. Make sure you know what you are signing and make them slow down if they are going too fast. In fact, I would ask for copies of everything you sign! They may not like that, but it really is your right to have copies.

I hope you start feeling better once your blood is getting cleaned of toxins. 

I'll be thinking of you! 

Aleta

[kristina]

Good luck, woodsman !
 
I'll be thinking of you and keep my fingers crossed.

Best wishes from Kristina. 

[boswife]

Well woodsman, i wish no one had to do it but........... you'll be ok.  REally, hubby's only issue was being away from me  so we finally brought him home and that solved that!  Now, we miss the friendlyness of the center and our friends there so ya cant win for loosen. Make it the best ya can because it* is what it is*, and alot of it is attitude.  I know my hardest part would be that same thing as you.  My mind would be on all that needs/wants doing at home, but ya may just enjoy the 'time off' once you get used to the have to's of it.  I wish you well, and am hoping to hear good feelings from you tomorow.  Give yourself the liberty to settle with it and hopfully, it'll just make ya feel better, and thats a good thing     All my best wishes and  for a good/great start..   

[natnnnat]

Good luck woodsman!   

[Rerun]

It will be cold so take a blanket or 2.  If you have a catheter wear a button down shirt so they can get to it.  If it is a fistula wear short sleeves.  Take a book or a movie if you have a protable DVD player.  Some places let you eat a snack and some don't.  Take a small bottle of water.  Take your cell phone. 

Best of luck.  I'm sorry you have to give in to this, but we want you around.   

[kellyt]

Good Luck, Woodsman.  We're with you in spirit.  I've only visited in two dialysis units and I thought they were cold.  I know that those machines can really heat up a room, so they keep the temp very low.     Also, as mentioned above, I'm sure dialysis can mess with your body temp, as well.  Once your body and mind adjusts to the time you'll get back in the swing of things.  That is my prayer for you.   

[tyefly]

I was scared my first time in ....I have never seen the inside of a D clinic....  take a blanket and something to read... Ipod....  but I know you will spend alot of time looking around and watching.... watch everything... relax.. and  most of all try to sleep tonight........Good luck to you ...

[Des]

All I can say is Good luck my friend.

I had my IHD team as well looking after me and assisting me every step of the way. (just over 'n year ago)

We are here for you so hurry up and come and share your experience with us.

 

[rsudock]

thinking of you....

xo,
R

[looneytunes]

Hope all went well, Woodsman.  I'm thinking of you.   

[texasstyle]

I thnk you wil be suprised how smoothlyit will go. It's always the fear of the unknown. After today, you wil lknow! Let us know how you made out.

[billybags]

I hope you got on OK, it is scary stuff to start with but you will be fine, trust me.

[carol1987]

  thinking of you woodsman!!!

[woodsman]

I made it through without a hitch. I must say that i was overwhelmed at first but all in all it was not as bad as i thought it would be. People were very nice both patients and staff place was spotless and COLD i will bring a blanket on thursday. I am at work now until midnight and i am so tired..........  OH i don't like them needles one bit!!!.. Thanks to you all for the support it's been a lifeline for me...

[willowtreewren]

 

We TOLD you to take a blanket! 

Glad it went all right. Did you use cream to help with the needle sticks? And I hate to tell ya, but they started you out with the SMALL needles! 

Aleta

[woodsman]

I did not take a blanket but you can bet i will on thursday... I know they told me the needles were smaller to start but they sure don't look it...  I do have some of that cream now and i will try that and see if it works.

[boswife]

   Im so glad that first one is over with.  Still may be scarry for a bit, but at least you know whats commen.  For hubbys start up, they did the lidocane shots to help out with the 'big' ones.. Was that not offered to you?  He only used for a while as his 'new' friend (fello D guy) teased him about it so they laughed and challanged him and he found it to not be needed.  We did use again when i started 'sticking' him for home hemo as i was soooooo scarred myself and so we figgured if i didnt have to watch him mabie hurt because i didnt know what i was doing,  it may make me calmer.  It did,,, sooooooo what im saying is, mabie you would want to give that a try for a bit till your more used to it???  Im so glad you have this place to talk too.  Wish i had ben so blessed    will be looking forward to hearing your next 'run', and the tiredness at work will hopfully subside as well!!  Im surprised ya didnt take it off at least the first time.. Geesh!!     Heres to the worst one  down, and easier ones to come 

[MooseMom]

Oh, I've been waiting all day to see you back on the board with a full report.  I am so glad that things went well in spite of the fact that, well, needles were involved.  I knew you'd be terrific, so congratulations on getting through a very, very difficult day.  I'm hoping that each time will get easier as you work out what your specific comfort needs are.

Thanks so much for coming on and telling us about your day.  When will the needles get bigger?

[Cordelia]

Definitely, wear something comfy, it ain't a fashion show! LOL!   

I watch a little TV, read a book, llisten to my mp3 player, have a visitor once in awhile, ---visitors, IF and I say IF family/ friends will come in and visit while youre on the machine (some people don't want to because its bothersome seeinga loved one like this) it definitely passes the time a heck of a lot quicker, at least that's been my experience.

Try to think of the positive-I used the time to read, listen to music/ to listen/talk to people that before I took for granted. Sitting for 4 hours has made me look on the positive side of things and to help me to think not so negatively.

The biggest hurdle is accepting. Once you get past that, it's so much easier. After being on dialysis almost a whole year, I kind of enjoy going in and talking to the nurses and staff, I get along with them pretty good and I enjoy them, I wouldn't have it any other way!   

I wish you all the best!   

[AguynamedKim]

Really glad things went relatively well, Woodsman.  Keep us posted.

[willowtreewren]

Boswife,

When Carl forgot the cream it FREAKED ME OUT! Eventually he just stopped using it (tough old bird  )

Moosemom, with Carl they used one size needle for a week before moving up to the next size. I imagine the protocols are a bit different in different clinics.

Cordelia, our clinic did not allow visitors in the dialysis area.  That would sure have been nice. Of course, as soon as possible we took the whole process home with NxStage.

Aleta


Aleta

[Cordelia]

Oh, no, I'm so sorry to hear that visitors weren't allowed in your unit, Willow, friends and family support is vital, it's very much encouraged in my unit, it's a satellite unit and the atmosphere is just lovely. My Mom comes to visit me every Thursday, I look forward to it, it really helps to pass the last 1.5 hrs quicker. The social worker in the unit also likes to chat and I really enjoy her company too, sometimes we chat for over an hour. So if my Mom and the social worker come on the same day I know I'll sail through the morning much quicker!   

[Des]

Welcome to the "club"

I am glad it went ok.

Just ask away. We (IHD) are here for you - as always.

SO PROUD OF YOU !!!!!