What a week!! (Starting HD, continued)

[PeaB4YouGo]

Where was I? Ah, yes. I had just spent 3 days in the hospital getting in-patient dialysis for my first three rounds. Low Venous Flowrate, but they seemed to handle it, and ordered a Fistulagram.

So, this past Monday, I drove to Duluth (114 miles, door to door) for that procedure, done in the Interventional Radiology dept. It started at 10 a.m., and the first clock I saw when I woke up said 12:00. Not bad. the doctor was all smiles. "Everything went as we expected. No snags." so, I figure I'm golden. From all indications, I had a normal condition that was handled in a routine manner, and all was well. Now, I'm ready for day one at the center.

For those of you following along, the Fresenius center I go to is 40 miles west of me. Not a bad drive. I'm up north so, I made sure that I got a 4wd vehicle for these trips. Although this last winter was a poor example, it can get pretty wicked and snow tends to get deep.

I get all the paperwork done, and get into the large room where 5-6 chairs are already occupied. They set me up, get all the supplies together and show/tell me what's going to happen for the next 3 1/2 hrs. They get both needles in and begin the hookup, and check the tubes for flow, and now there is NOTHING coming from either tube! I should be shooting a geyser off, but ...nothing. A little discussion later, I find myself needing to drive to Duluth (Only 60 miles.), again! They want to re-do the Fistulagram.

"FISTULAGRAM II: The Widening" also seemed to occur without any issues. The doctors were apologetic, and told me what they think went wrong with the first try, and they gave me a good idea of what they were going to do for the second try. Then, they threw the wrench in the mix. Once the Fistulagram was done, Nephrology wanted me to spend 3 hrs dialysing there, before they sent me home. Folks, after that was done, it was nearly 9 p.m., and I still had to drive the 114 miles back home. I can tell you, I've had enough hassle for week 1. Here's to boring dialysis sessions until, at least, May.

The aftermath? Judge for yourself. There's a pic in the first reply. (the page won't let me put the pic at the end, or in the middle...)

I'm "off" today. No appointments, no needles, no miles... I TRIED to sleep until noon, but I only made it to 10:30. Tomorrow is right around the corner.

G

[PeaB4YouGo]

THE AFTERMATH!!

Fistula site

[Bassetmommer in reply to PeaB4YouGo]

Owie.... things like this might make you reconsider HOME hemo...... Hope it goes better and soon. That look painful.

[PeaB4YouGo in reply to Bassetmommer]

The worst part of that photo is a spot, maybe 1 cm x 1 cm, where the tape adhesive lifted a layer of skin!! I found the spot this morning. OUCH!

[1EPXiii]

Wow! , been doing this for almost 8 years now,,, I dread the words "Fistulagram" I don't think it's my fistula.. just different techs have trouble more than others..

[Darlenia]

Much respect for hanging in there so good-naturedly. Hubby had hemodialysis via a chest cath for three or four months and moved to peritoneal dialysis. I don't think either of us could cope with fistulas, needles, etc. It's awesome you're hanging in there.

[bumblebee_tuna]

Ouch this looks painful. They let you drive after the Fistulagram?

[PeaB4YouGo]

Nah. They let me know ahead of time that I would need a driver. Then, they took me down for dialysis and I thought, by the time I'm off of this, I should be done with any affect from anesthesia. Either way, I called a friend and he drove me to his place in town. After about an hour, I decided I was better, and it was time to drive home. 3 hrs later, and I was home and sleepin'.

[horsie63]

I had to have a fistulagram on my non working fistula...determined I had low flow and so no ballooning done. It still doesn't work so now they put in a graft...that is humming along nicely. Haven't used it yet but that's coming.

[PeaB4YouGo in reply to horsie63]

They didn't offer a fistula at another site? Mine was originally suppose to end up on my right forearm. It ended up on my left upper arm, based on impressions from a doppler ultrasound. I've been told that a new one could be installed at another location, should this one fail. This past week, they told me a central line may need to be installed before another fistula would be installed. THAT's the part I don't like. I'm glad they got everything straight with this one, the second time around (I hope).

[horsie63 in reply to PeaB4YouGo]

I made it clear I did not want anything on my right arm as it's my dominant one and I have to carry my laptop in it. Plus I have tiny veins everywhere as I'm a tiny person so no idea if it would work elsewhere. The useless fistula is in the crook of my left arm so not much real estate to put another. The graft which has a strong thrill and bruit from day one, is on my upper left arm.

The catheter was an emergency and since I was almost dead from the failed PD I didn't really have a choice. It works and I'm 100% better than I was so no complaints.