Introduction

[DevonTexas]

Hey all! I am an in-center hemodialysis patient and am nearing year 9. I'm working on getting a transplant and, for that, i have to get a coronary by-pass. Then, in 6 months, or so, I can get a slightly used kidney. I blog about all things kidney related at DevonTexas.com. I'm also a mentor in the NKF 1-to-1 Connect Program and an advocate in the Kidney Action Committee. I've been a Patient Advisory Committee member since 2010 and officer in the PAC since 2012. I look forward to participating.

[SharaiG_NKF Partner]

Hello Devon,

Welcome to the NKF Kidney Dialysis Community and thank you for all that you do!

[judystuddard in reply to SharaiG_NKF]

Does Medicare cover diaylisis?

[rick54]

wow ,sounds like you have alot on your plate, welcome ,i;m brand new here myself, rick is my name , can i ask are you going to get the by pass done? and do you have a odd blood type is why its been 9 years and no match? i ve been on list for maybe 10 months now, just started in march hemo incenter but june 29th getting pd catheter put in so i can do pd while sleeping at home.

[DevonTexas in reply to rick54]

Thanks Rick. I am scheduled for July 7th for the heart surgery. Will take 2 to 6 weeks to recover after that. I guess most of my summer will be in bed. LOL

I don't have a rare blood type. The delay initially (I wanted to have this in 2007) was because I was obese and my BMI was too high. I was told to lose the weight and i decided to get a Lap-Band. However my myopic health insurance provider didn't cover it. So, after three years of dialysis, I went on Medicare that covers bariatric surgery. At that point, I needed some time to prepare for it. Finally, in September 2014, I got my Lap-Band and since then reduced my weight by 115 lbs. So...

[DevonTexas in reply to DevonTexas]

Finally last summer, I began the transplant "adventure". In order to get it, I needed a cardiologist sign-off and he found the blocked and narrowed arteries. Once that's done, I will have to await his sign-off and 6 months after that, I should go know the list.

Re: your PD... just be extremely careful about keeping your access clean and sterile in order to avoid peritonitis. You probably already know that but I would be remiss not to say something.

Nice to meet you

Devon

[rick54 in reply to DevonTexas]

ok,thanks for the info, as you know try and just think of the next step , easier said then done right,lol well you got your weight down and bottom line thats good.

[TamekaS NKF Peer Mentor NKF Ambassador]

I to am a Mentor for NKF One to One connect I am also an ambassador for them and I enjoy talking to people who is going through different things and having different questions and if I have an answer or an experience I am more than welcome to share with you or anyone else. Good luck

[TheOther_MrsRobinson]

hi DevonTexas !!!! Thanks for all you do in our community and for the NKF !!!!