Had my vein mapping today but other that verifying I have tiny veins it was a waste. I have to go back on Fri the 20th to redo it on a non dialysis day to see if a fistula would be possible. Otherwise I’ll have to get a graft.
I’m not sure dialysis affected my vein size that much as they don’t take all that much off.
Between dialysis and the dr appt I got very little work done today. I’m concerned they may let me go.
Hi my veins were too smal & I now have a chest catheter which I have had now for over 4 months no problems in fact it’s easier having no needles in to connect up
Make sure you apply for a FLMA. This will protect you from being let go due to illnesses. It is pretty easy to use and it is great protection.
I was told when I did the vein mapping that I would have to have two surgeries. When they went in to operate, they were able to do one and done. Also make sure you have some water before you go.
Thanks for the water tip. That was probably the issue Thur as I had dialysis before the appt.
While I was out of work in the hospital I was on FMLA. I'm back at work (at home as I still aren't driving) but it's not a 40 hour week due to dialysis and then doctor appts. That's what I'm concerned about. And insurance since I at best work 30 hours and insurance is for full time. Something I need to check on and if I am let go then I need to go on disability. This whole thing sucks.
This is why you need a new FMLA. "Group health insurance benefits. If an employee has health insurance through an employer’s group health plan, they can continue their group health insurance coverage during FMLA leave on the same terms as if they had continued to work" Even if you do not use the leave part, it protects you from being fired. I went on it years ago when my agency was doing some downsizing. It protected me from being a target for removal. I have to laugh because since I retired, they cannot keep anyone in the position..... KARMA!
I'll contact my HR and see about getting a new one. They have been really good working with me but if the policy states only full time get health insurance (and I pay no premium so it's great) and I can't get 40 hours in then they have to go by the policy.
I appreciate all the great tips and information you have. It's nice to talk with someone who understands and has been there.
FLMA should protect you from losing your insurance from doing Doc appointments and dialysis.
Just food for thought..... I do not know what you do but maybe you can ask if there are projects that you can do on your own time to get back to 40 hours. Ten hours is only 2 hours more a day or a Sat or Sun. OR..... see if they will prorate your insurance. We offered a full coverage package for 30 hours, but they had to pay a higher amount towards it. Meanwhile, look to applying for Medicaid and disability. Disability is a LONG process.
I’m an internal auditor for a small tribal government and do mostly data analysis. Since I’m still not driving I work from home. I’m salaried so if I get 4 hours in during a day it’s considered full time. So since I’m working from home I can work whenever I can.
Hope it all works out for you Horsie I know it been a roller coaster of events for you .
It's certainly been a challenging year, and I'm not sure it's going to go on into next year too. I talked to the nurse at the dialysis center about regaining the weight I lost and she suggested I not just eat a lot (ha) but gain muscle (another ha).
I'm just now walking without a cane but doubt I can get on the TM or the rower yet. I am only able to lift 3 lb weights. And once I get the fistula/graft I can't even do that for 2 weeks. I think getting back on the transplant list is going to be a long time.
Of course where they put the tube in still hurts so that's a limiting factor. I'm trying to do some easy stretches to see if that will help. The doctor said if they cut a nerve then it could take years to stop hurting. I almost cried. I try so hard not to get depressed with all of this but some days..
Hey, it's totally ok to have a pity party for yourself on occasion. I think any of us on dialysis who say they don't are lying to themselves. It's part of the healing process as we try to "normalize" all of this. So if you feel depressed, reach out often. We're all here. These folks here are good depression medicine. And as my grandma used to tell me when I was young. Eat what you can, Can what you can't!
Hi Horsie,
You should be able to get medicare if you lose your work health insurance. I'd check to if you can COBRA it until medicare is covering you. Your health is much more important than a job. Things aways have a way of working out.
I too have tiny veins and went in the hospital for a fistula and came out with a graft. I'll tell you what, it is ugly, yes, but I have no problems with it in dialysis when I see some with fistulas having a hard time being cannulated and that has got to hurt.
Grafts don't hurt? I though other than having an as the put it "artificial" connection between vein and artery that they still used the same needles. Other than some pain when they sometimes pull on the little connectors the catheter doesn't use needles so I don't have that pain.
Depending on the day/time my surgery/tube site hurts enough I may not even notice needle sticks. I know when I was in the hospital they took blood and did finger pricks to determine my sugar values (I don't have diabetes) and after a week they no longer hurt.
It is an easy target, grafts are pretty big and ugly and they are hard to miss with the needles. It also doesn't hurt if you use lidocaine cream an hour before treatment. The cream numbs it and you don't feel the needles at all. I swear I feel nothing. I used to insert my own needles when I did home hemo. I NEVER would have been able to do that if it hurt one iota!
How was home hemo? I've been thinking about it and trying to see if I have room in my tiny house. It's basically a one bedroom apt. Even though I did peritoneal dialysis and even had a cycler there were boxes of stuff every where and I even have boxes of solution that I need to throw away.
Home hemo wasn't bad. I was just starting to get overwhelmed with working 40 hours and trying to do that all by myself. I can see why most people have partners. It is a lot of work; cleaning and maintaining the machine, keeping inventory of your supplies and doing treatments. It was a lot of stuff I kept most of the cases in my garage. My machine was in my spare bedroom where my office is also located. I was trying to work and dialysis at the same time.
I can understand the overwhelmed part, I do in center hemo Tues, Thur, Sat from 10-100 and sometimes have dr appts after all the while I'm working from home and trying to get back all my strength. Some times I thing I'd be better off not having gone back to work.
Of course it was boring not working and other than the pain I still have where they did the surgery/drain tube it wouldn't be so hard. I'm trying to regain the weight I lost while in the hospital but that requires muscle mass and I'm still all bones. At least I have my appetite back.
hi. my mom has decided to discontinue dialysis . We are waiting for a hospice bed. Thanks to all who answered my questions about being cold during dialysis, and other questions. You are a very responsive group!
Preparing for Fistula
Fistula Time
My dad has CKD stage 4.
