Support for kids with parent on dialysis?

[ulrika]

Hi all!
In our city, most dialysis patients are elderly, so there is no one with younger children, or teens.
My 13 year old granddaughter, seem to handle this new situation pretty well, but sometimes I can't help but feel that she is in denial-----it is like she is afraid of asking questions, and she seem to have become more needy with her mother's time.
I have talked with the school counsellor, to make sure that the school is aware of what is going on in her life.
When I ask her if she wants to talk about it, she tells me that she talks with her friends. But as none of her friends are going through the illness of a parent, she must feel quite lonely.
I was wondering if any of you have kids that are going through this, and if so, they could get together online.

Hugs, Ulrika

[kitkatz]

My kids went through having me ill from the ages of 12 and 13.  They are 20 and 19 now, but I am sure One of them would be happy to talk with you granddaughter.  Maria is off in Wisconsin at school, but can be reached through email if she is interested.  It was hard on my girls with me being sick for so many years.  We have come through okay.

Katherine

[ulrika]

Hello Katherine;

How did you and your kids deal with your illness? I am sure my daughter would appreciate any tips you can give her.
She is coming home from the hospital tomorrow (sunday). She had the tube for peritoneal dialysis installed yesterday.
I will ask my granddaughter if she would like to talk with someone who has gone through what she is going through right now.
Thanks for the offer Katherine

Hugs, Ulrika

[kitkatz]

My kids had outside support from my sisters. They both moved into my area to be close and to give support.  They could take the girls when I was ill.  The girls knew they would be safe with them.
Also I kept working as a school teacher.  I tried to keep their lives as normal as possible.  I brought them to the dialysis center and let them see it.  We learned to read labels for salt/sodium intake. I tired to keep them involved and informed of what was going on. 
I will have my daughter write some memories and helpful hints and drop them in here.

Katherine

[kitkatz]

My daughter is coming on board to talk to you all about her experiences as a child with a parent on dialysis.

Katherine

[thepandaones]

I have sent you an e-mail, i am more then willing to help, in any way i can, call, e-mail, instant messaging.  Its really good to talk about what is going on with her mother.  Yes its hard, but just take it one day at a time and enjoy that time with her.  That’s how i have gotten through this.  If she is willing to talk, i love to talk with people (my mom can attest to that) and would like to help.

Maria

[Naggy6]

I remember one time when my kids were little, I walked by my daughter's bedroom and I heard the oldest one (5) at the time saying to the younger one (3) lets play house fake I'm the mother and I have to go to dialysis.

I wasn't really sure what to think of it, I guess it was just normal for them as that was all they had ever known.

[ulrika]

My daughter is coming on board to talk to you all about her experiences as a child with a parent on dialysis.

Katherine

Thank you Katherine, for asking your daughter to talk about her experience. I got her email, and she sounds lovely.

Hugs,Ulrika

[ulrika]

I have sent you an e-mail, i am more then willing to help, in any way i can, call, e-mail, instant messaging.  Its really good to talk about what is going on with her mother.  Yes its hard, but just take it one day at a time and enjoy that time with her.  That’s how i have gotten through this.  If she is willing to talk, i love to talk with people (my mom can attest to that) and would like to help.

Maria

I got your email Maria, you sound like the perfect person to share your experience with my granddaughter. Kylie has been away this weekend, but I will show her your email a soon as she gets home.
Thank you so much for your offer. My heart goes out to you and your family for what you all are going through. Our journey is just beginning.
A big hug, Ulrika

[Epoman]

I have sent you an e-mail, i am more then willing to help, in any way i can, call, e-mail, instant messaging.  Its really good to talk about what is going on with her mother.  Yes its hard, but just take it one day at a time and enjoy that time with her.  That’s how i have gotten through this.  If she is willing to talk, i love to talk with people (my mom can attest to that) and would like to help.

Maria

It would help others if you talked here.  That's what this site is all about. Many people read this site but don't become members.

- Epoman

[kitkatz]

My daughter just was not comfortable being so personal on a web site.  She will share some things with us, but others are private.  My kids have really been through it with me.

[ulrika]

My daughter just was not comfortable being so personal on a web site.  She will share some things with us, but others are private.  My kids have really been through it with me.

My granddaughter feels the same way. She is only 13, a very tough age to have to learn how to deal with her mother's serious illness.
This board is very helpful, and it brought me together with Katherine, who's kids has gone through what my granddaughter is experiencing now.
It has taken a big load of my shoulders, to know that there is someone for my granddaughter when she is ready. However, I know that she would never open up on a web site.
Thank you so much for this site Epoman.
Ulrika