Ignorant things people have said to you

[Stoday]

I hate it when I go out and people that know I'm on fluid restrictions ask me if I want another beer.
Especially if I came off heavy in the morning, some of my mates still don't understand how hard it is not to drink too much.

The answer is to say "I can't drink another beer, but I can have a double Scotch — thanks!" or whatever expensive spirit you fancy. You'll be surprised how quickly they will start to understand. 

[staceyand joe92]

I had someone look at my Fistula and say "wow do you have a garden hose in your arm?"....I replied "just had it installed last week...makes watering the flowers so much easier".

[jennyc]

Staceyandjoe... i love it. I'll have to use that when mine heals if it's ok. so far with all the scars across my tummy and now my arm I tell people I had a fight with freddy kruger. When i was working people used to get up off their seats becuase they though i was pregnant, one girl went so far as to argue with me when i told her i wasn't pregnant, took ten mintues and a co-worker to really get in her face for her to conceede defeat and walk away mumbling 'i still think she's pregnant!'

I think the worst some-one ever said to me was 'it's your fault your kidneys failed the 2nd time, you didn't drink enough water!'    WTF the only reason he still stands is becuase he is close to the family.

Or.. just before i gave up work i had  bad night, you know where you get those shocking leg cramps to the point where it actually leaves you in pain for the next day and bruising to the ankles. I rang work and said I wouldn't be in 'God, are you sick AGAIN!' then when i gave them the note saying 'sick due to renal failure complications' the managers eyes just rolled 'if you're sick much more often we'll have to give you a written warning'.  Hmmmmm... could you send a copy to my kidneys, they really need a kick up the 

[twirl]

my main nep doc, at dialysis Monday, said to me to drink plenty of fluids with the flu --
I said "ALRIGHT!"

[renalpenguin]

"I made this pizza just for you- I used lots of tomato sauce so it'll be high in potassium and good for your blood pressure, whole grain dough, and non-fat cheese! So it's low calorie and you can eat it!" Then she pulled out the Coke Zero.

  It may be low calorie, but how high is it in everything I can't eat?

As upsetting it is when people don't understand, I try to remember- they just aren't educated. No one is trying to drive me crazy- that's just the way it's working.

[jennyc]

One thing though, i just love the open honesty and innocence of children.

I took my son to his swimming lesson tonight and a little girl, maybe 7 at most walked straight up to me, looked quizically at my arm "what's that?" I explained that i'd had surgery and the dr joined the vein to an artery. I showed her the thrill "that's cool! what makes the buzzing?"  a moment later she spurts back "i know its the blood rushing past realy quick!" when she asked what it was for i was slightly troubled how to explain renal failure so i went for the old... part of my body doesn't work properly so the dr needs this to help fix it and i pointed to my kidneys. Tell you, this little one was quick..... "If its not working there (pointing to the kidneys) then why did the put it there (wrist)?" a few adults around us looked horrified for me, you know oh that poor woman how embarrassing for her...
I just love kids, i'd much rather them walking up and asking all the wonderful questions they can think of than a single adult staring at me for an hour. There is no malice or anything from them just pure wonder.

[paris]

Wish we all could see things like a child. What a great conversation!   

[sumodidit]

The worst thing somebody told me is that when I asked my friend about this lady I like he replied "she would never date somebody like you" and I was like why " because she is beautiful and successful and you are a dialysis patient with no job...etc,etc and she can have any guy she wants why should she ever choose you!" After he told me that I was like WTF? In all respects it motivated me to try and speak and develop a friendship and I've asked her out a few times with not a "no" but an excuse on why she cant go....she has a boyfriend so I have to wait and see but overall I think I might have a chance and plus I'm pretty persistent!!

[kimcanada]

I am sorry but your "friend" is also a jerk, I mean who would ever say that to someone that you could tell was sick...

[pamster42000]

When my daughter, Sarah was in grade school this one boy called her " diseaser". I never knew about this until later in life. There were probley other instantaces but I'll never know. I just know when I see this boy that is now 27 years old I still have no respect for him.

[RichardMEL]

I laughed when someone asked me if I had batteries in my fistula and if I had trouble going through security at the airport. 

Sico, yes the beer thing is tough. I had this whole conversation with guys at work once about it (and I was trying to not go on about my condition because I don't want this whole charity case complex or anything..) but these guys just wouldn't get it.. specially one guy (a Collingwood supporter, so you'd understand  ) said oh so you can't have many beers.. so just drink cokes!!! Then when i explained it wasn't so much WHAT it was, but how MUCH I still don't think he got it..... Still the boss understands that when I have a vodka at lunch(when we go to the pub) it's not because I want to get more pissed than the beer drinkers! 

[sico]

Sico, yes the beer thing is tough. I had this whole conversation with guys at work once about it (and I was trying to not go on about my condition because I don't want this whole charity case complex or anything..) but these guys just wouldn't get it.. specially one guy (a Collingwood supporter, so you'd understand  ) said oh so you can't have many beers.. so just drink cokes!!! Then when i explained it wasn't so much WHAT it was, but how MUCH I still don't think he got it..... Still the boss understands that when I have a vodka at lunch(when we go to the pub) it's not because I want to get more pissed than the beer drinkers! 

Yeah Richard i really have to stress it's not what i drink but total volume of anything liquid.
Some people with functioning kidneys will never understand.
One of my mates actually said to me "can't ya just drink through it". He's answer to everything is another beer though. 
And no he ain't a Collingwood supporter.

[Hanify]

When I was in hospital recently a doctor (not a renal doctor or I'd have reported him) said "Now, you do PD is that right".  I dutifully said yes "How long since you last dialysed?" I looked at him for a moment wondering if he was serious, and one of the other doctors said - no - it's PD she'll be doing it all the time".
AND, yesterday at the dentist (who, to be fair knows I am sick, but probably not that I'm on dialysis) said 'do you ever have a dry mouth?'.  Not his fault really, but it did make me giggle.

[MissyKew]

Pamster, I dealt with asthma when I was a kid.  I had a neighbor kid tell me that their perents said they couldn't play with me cause I was catchy.

Last night I went to the ER to placate mom on my BP.  the nurse there told me to drink plenty of fluids.  I just told her I couldn't, I am on dialysis.  She said...Oh, yeah.....  If only....

[whiskeyfrank]

last week i attended an access clinic and was asked when i turned up for blood tests and sample urine.

When i told the receptionist that i had no kidneys, so no urine test, she said "if you dont give a urine test i cant book you in, so go and have a drink and wait and see what happens"

I just couldn't help myself and said "what do you reccomend i drink for my kidneys to grow back"

[jbeany]

"what do you reccomend i drink for my kidneys to grow back"

Classic!

[okarol]

"what do you reccomend i drink for my kidneys to grow back"

Classic!

Whiskey, Frank

[sumodidit]

it is funny to see the many levels of ignorance people will show with or without paying attention on whats going on!

[Hanify]

And this was in a clinic where you went to talk about a fistula? 

[dwcrawford]

Was she blonde?

Aren't you glad she was only the receptionist?

[cherpep]

Every time I go in for access repair surgery, and the nurse checks me in - they always ask for a urine sample.  I always reply - well, if you want a urine sample, then you guys are gonna have to perform a much more major surgery, chuckle, chuckle. 

[monrein]

Was she blonde?

Aren't you glad she was only the receptionist?

No Dan, not blonde, probably just old!!!  (I'm just yanking your chain by the way  and defending my blondeness which is also aging as we speak.  LOL)

[dwcrawford]

Touche....  Blonde jokes are funnier than old jokes...lol   Or perhaps that depends on whether you are blonde or old!

[monrein]

My neice (who is a brunette) used to make up her own blond(e) jokes but they usually featured guys, unless of course other body bits were important identifiers of gender.

[del]

Was she blonde?

Aren't you glad she was only the receptionist?

No Dan, not blonde, probably just old!!!  (I'm just yanking your chain by the way  and defending my blondeness which is also aging as we speak.  LOL)

I'm defending my blondeness too Dan!!!  Watch what you are saying or Monrien and I will gang up on you!!  (Just joking) LOL!!