Any books that help you get through the grind?

[robertscz]

I go to dialysis Mon Wed Fri... The only day of the week that I feel normal is Saturday because I know that tomorrow (Sunday) I don't have to go to that God awful place.  Today is Sunday, I have the day off I should be enjoying it, doing something fun ect. But instead all I'm doing is thinking about tomorrow and thinking that this nightmare is never going to end.  Are there any books written by true Dr's that help you live in the moment? I want to be in a good mood while I'm not at dialysis, which is the vast majority of my time... It's only those 4hr that I think I should be miserable.  Have any of you read anything that has changed your actual mindset? I deserve to be happy on these days and for some reason all I can think about is tomorrow.

My fiance is going for final testing Dec 17 and 18 in Tampa... I have also set up surgery to have a pd catheter placed on Dec 21 just in case something pops up with her. So my days of actual in center treatment is 8 weeks at the max...  So I guess that is some good news. Will be even better news if my fiance comes back with good news from Tampa, her coordinator said if everything checks out surgery will take place first week of Jan.  Thank u everyone, just need a pick me up today I think

[Paul]

The problem is that you focus on the negative. Focus on the positive instead.

Don't think of how bad dialysis is. Instead realize that if dialysis had not been invented, you would be dead by now. Tomorrow you are not going to waste 4 hours of your life attached to a damn machine. Instead remember, tomorrow a nice, friendly machine is going to save your life. Then on Wednesday it is going to save your life again. And on Friday too. And that nice machine is going to keep saving your life until you get a new kidney, and your life gets back to normal.

Do not think of dialysis as a bad thing. Think of it as a good thing. Because eventually you will get that kidney, and it is dialysis that makes this possible.

Try talking to the machine. Thank it for saving your life. Make it your friend. It won't seem so bad then.

[GA_DAWG]

Paul is dead on. I hate having to spend those four hours as much as anyone, but I am also thankful that those four hours allow me to be alive to spend the rest of my hours with those I love.  Focus on the time you and your fiance will have to spend together because of dialysis. There are so many with diseases and conditions that there is no treatment for. I doubt any doctor can write a book that makes your life different, that is all in you and how you approach the life you have thanks to dialysis.

[PrimeTimer]

You might want to give Cognitive Behavioral Therapy a try. Read about it or talk to a psychiatrist. It taught me useful methods to deal with stress and anxiety. Even just once a week for a few weeks does wonders.

Another idea is to read some of BobN's posts on the site here. He has uh, a "unique" way of coping thru humor and even a little sarcasm. Seriously, he's got a wonderful attitude and the laughing is infectious. Might do you good. Comic books are also good to escape to when the ol' brain needs some mindless reading. Mindless reading gives you a break from stress just long enough for you to shift gears and get going again. Good luck with finding an escape that best fits you. 

[smartcookie]

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is good, but a newer therapy called Mindfulness therapy sounds up your alley, too.  It teaches you how to be in the moment and not think about other things.  A very Zen and interesting way of looking at life. 

[Charlie B53]

I am usually too busy with Today to even think about Tomorrow.

Well, I may need to clarify that just a little.  As yesterday I have to drink that GALLON of GoLytely colon prep cleaning solution to get ready for my colonoscopy I had this morning.

YUCK!

Glad that is over.   Still afraid of sidual sodium making me drink far more water than I usually do so tomorrow I may weigh in a bit OVER my usual.     Oh well.  I'm just glad I don't have to have THAT done again very soon.   Sadly, Dr wants me back again in 5 years, NOT my usual 10.

Maybe I need to eat even MORE vegetables.

[Whamo]

   PIck up my book about Disneyland, "My Disney Side" by Stephen Wimer.  My publisher calls it Disneyland on Dialysis.