Hello, wife of dialysis patient-to-be here.

[Sara]

I'm Sara, 24 years old in Jacksonville, FL.  My husband is 36, diabetic and has been dealing with failing kidneys for a while now (2-3 years I think?).  Anyway, we knew this was coming one day, I personally did not expect it so soon.  We found out Friday that he has to start dialysis next week.  Friday he also had outpatient surgery to place a catheter in his neck.  We have been told very little what to expect, other than they are setting things in motion to put him on the waiting list for a kidney/pancreas transplant.  So here I am, researching my little heart out on the internet, trying to figure out what we're looking at, and lo and behold I find this place.  Very cool place you have here.  Anyway, I'm going to be posting some questions.

Thanks for reading.

[geoffcamp]

Hey Sara I live in Florida too on the other coast in Bradenton near Sarasota.  It is good to see someone so supportive.  Good Luck and if you have any questions feel free to ask me here or e-mail me at geofcamp@tampabay.rr.com
Geoff

[Sara]

Thanks Geoff!  I'm trying to learn all I can as Joe does not tend to want to read or research anything, he pretty much just goes with what the doctors tell him and I am not like that at all...I've seen too many horror stories to blindly trust anything.

[Epoman]

I'm Sara, 24 years old in Jacksonville, FL.  My husband is 36, diabetic and has been dealing with failing kidneys for a while now (2-3 years I think?).  Anyway, we knew this was coming one day, I personally did not expect it so soon.  We found out Friday that he has to start dialysis next week.  Friday he also had outpatient surgery to place a catheter in his neck.  We have been told very little what to expect, other than they are setting things in motion to put him on the waiting list for a kidney/pancreas transplant.  So here I am, researching my little heart out on the internet, trying to figure out what we're looking at, and lo and behold I find this place.  Very cool place you have here.  Anyway, I'm going to be posting some questions.

Thanks for reading.

Hello Sara my name is Bill (Epoman) I am the Owner/Admin of this site and I welcome you to this site and I know you will find this site very usefull as will Joe. I made this site to let people such as yourself find out the truth about dialysis and have a place to come and vent/rant about dialysis. It is very smart of you to research and not just trust the doctors. You two have a very hard road ahead but Joe is lucky to have someone like you on his side. Now I am going to reply to some of your posts. 

[Bajanne]

Welcome to this board.  I found it just before I started dialysis and this has been more than a lifeline to me.  If you look in  the section, Dialysis: F.A.Q. (Frequently Asked Questions), you will see many questions that I asked and the helpful answers that I received.  I am very grateful to this site.
Your husband is very fortunate to have you to look out for him like this. 

[Dougndan]

Hi Sara,
This is the first time I have read your post, we seem to have much in common. I am the Dan in Dougndan, Doug is my husband. He has been diabetic for 25 years, kidney failure for about 3 years, probably alot longer than that, his diabetic doctor did not send him to a neuphrologist untill his kidneys were at 20%. He has been through one failed transplant (I donated my kidney). And now he is on the "list". He is only waiting for a kidney though, he is very nervous about the whole pancreas thing. I kind of wish he'd do both, but it is his choice. Anyway, hemo is going good for him, he just received a fistula to replace his chest cathater. I hope things are going well for both you and your husband.
Dan