So, my labs have finally gotten to the point where they've decided I need to start dialysis. eGFR at 6, high BUN, and high phosphorus point toward starting.
I've had my (brachia-encephalic) AV fistula for a year. Because I've had it so long without actually using it, we've decided that it's a good idea to spend 3 days in the hospital going thru the initial treatments at a "low-flowrate". This will help determine if the fistula is fit for regular dialysis.
On top of all that, I have an upcoming MRI of my prostate coming up in the first week of April. I have to, once again, point out that I will NOT be having the contrast!! You'd think that someone would read my chart before making an order for contrast. I'll be getting a call later today with information on prep. (Yes, there's a prep for prostate MRIs, starting with NPO for 3 hrs before the procedure, and no spicy foods for a day prior. It's better than prep for colonoscopy, I suppose.)
The nearest dialysis center is 40 miles from my house. Not so bad, but they have no empty chairs/slots available. Fresenius is ready to send me to an alternative site 81miles(one way!) away, until the nearer center has an open slot. That's close to 500 miles and 10 hours on the road each week! Davita has a center that is 50 miles in the other direction, and I want to try to go there until the nearer one opens up, but I won't see any of the Nephro team that I'm currently working with. I do NOT want to change teams/doctors/facilities, so, hopefully, this won't last long.
We're still waiting to schedule the three days in hospital, so more news as it happens...
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PeaB4YouGo
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Has anyone talked to you about doing home hemo. I know that it may seem like a lot, but they train you and provide everything you need and you do not have to leave home. It is convenient and doable. This is coming from someone who just started this on five months ago. Now, my husband and I are doing everything on our own. Scary but getting easier as time and experience goes on. BTW, we are almost 70 and 74.
I think I'm going to get settled into getting HD at all, then we'll move on to home dialysis. (You and I have talked about this before.) I don't think my house would pass an inspection, but we might consider it all after we make a well planned move to another house. (I hate renting.)
Sorry im based in Scotland, so not sure about your protocols. Are you expected to drive yourself there and back??????? That's A LOT of travelling to do AND then dialysis. I hope someone is driving you as sometimes you can feel dreadful after dialysis. Hope you get it all sorted x
Update: The DaVita center is going to take me in until the Fresenius center that is closer has an open chair. That's a bit of a load off my mind. We also confirmed the dates I spend in the hospital, to kick this all off. I'm walking a little lighter, today, without those worries. 2 worries down, and about 200 to go. LOL
Good luck in your dialysis journey I couldn’t imagine to have to go that far . I don’t drive so is why I pick pd dialysis . Hopefully that closer chair will open up sooner than later .
Sending positive thoughts as you start this stage of your journey. As an 83rd birthday gift I get to meet with a vascular surgeon to start the next stage of my journey but I am a ways behind you. Was going to do PD but decided I am too old to start learning that process and like your dialysis it required long drives to get the training. So am going to get a fistula and will go from there. Please keep us updated on your journey. My prayers are with you.
I am77, live alone and have no trouble at all. The machine is set up for dummies. It’s a little touch screen and a monkey could do it. You do need space for the supplies. The training was only two days. It has a little modem that transmits the data to the clinic each day. I hook into it around 11:30 and it is finished by about 8 am, so does not disrupt my day. It is not without problems though.
Thanks for the response. My HMO requires 3 months of training three times a week for several hours and the training center is at least 45 minutes away. So it all feels a little too much to start at this point in life. Glad to hear its going well for you .
that’s quite a lot of travel. I do PD at home and it has been pretty good. The clinic is very supportive and responsive. I think we all have to choose what is best for us and what suits I
Usu. I sometimes thing hemo would be a good thing as there is so much stuff with the PD. The machine is easy enough to set up and take down,but sometinesibwush I could let someone else do all that.
Here we have a branch of public transit that will take us to medical appointments and it is a good thing considering he weather here in Canada in the winter. I drive and quite like driving, but don’t skyways feel up to it. The coast is a bus ticket one way no matter where you are going etc. you may have something like that there? That would be a big help for that long drive.
I hope they find a chair for you closer to home pretty soon. Safe travels!
Hey there! I have been on HD for 7 and a half years.. diagnosed with really severe PKD back in 2015 when I turned 50.. lost my job as a JR High teacher... I love/hate the dialysis center.. but the techs and nurses are so supportive. My wife died three years ago. She was my soulMate and best friend for 34 years. I've had a bilateral nephrectomy (plucked my giant diseased kidneys out!). I do not want home D because the Dialysis Center has people who actually care for me and talk to me. I have no friends or family. I am alone in this crazy stuff!
I'm happy to say my wife has my back. The only issue is that she has her own health issues. (How to say you're over 60, without saying You're over 60).I guess I'm leaning towards staying at a center, rather than bringing it home, because there is always a pro around when the excrement strikes the air circulation device.
UPDATE: Today is day 2 of the hospital stay that begins my journey through dialysis. Yesterday afternoon, they came and took me to the dialysis wing. Cannulation was fine. No pain. I think the pros have it down to an art. No infiltration. All went fine for the two hours I was on. One alarm, and I'm not sure what it was for, but the RN took care of it quickly. Today, I'll be on the machine for another two hours, per the Nephro dept. Lidocaine is my friend, from what I'm gathering. They'll be loading me up for the next session, so the nurse is here to numb me up. This time, they may take off some fluid, depending on labs. I'm told that if all goes well today, I may be headed home with my first dialysis center appointment on Monday. Otherwise, I should be out of here tomorrow.
The hospital's version of coffee leaves something to be desired, and their renal menu is rather limited. Not sure what I expected. LOL I'm glad I brought my own beverages. I'm glad I brought my laptop, as this could get quite boring.
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Fistula Stopped Working
