The Pain of the Holidays

I'm still in a good bit of pain. No strength in my muscles, therefore I'm shaky. Got to keep going. Elizabeth and Janie came and helped out Satuday, and Elizabeth came again Sunday afternoon. My living room looks wonderful, some of the presents are wrapped, But still have cleaning, cooking and heaven knows what else. My lower back, hips, knees, shoulders, head, legs, and feet all hurt! Doesn't leave much out, does it?

On the upside, dialysis went really good yesterday. I think we've figured out what is causing some of the bleeding. Because the center closes on Christmas, everything gets re-scheduled. Instead of Monday, I went Sunday. I swapped times with someone so I wouldn't miss church. I got up at 5:00 AM so I could get to dialysis at 6:00 and be through in time to attend. The choir was scheduled to sing their Christmas musical song, O Holy Night, where Emily sang the lead solo. A substantial portion of the choir was absent so the leader thought it best not to sing it as it's such a difficult song. Oh well, the best laid plans....... I did, however, get to enjoy Emily's solo, "One King", at our candlelight service Sunday night. It was beautiful as always.

Well, I must attack my day. ~Later

Wednesday dialysis

I have been really sore for the past week or so; hips, neck, legs, everywhere. There is a reason for that, of course, and it was well worth it all. Friday after I finished with dialysis (I went in at 6:00 AM. argh!) When I got through and packed, Kathy and Corey drove me to Columbia to meet up with Emily who had to take a final that morning. I had first planned to drive myself, but since I've been bleeding fairly often after dialysis, I thought it might not be very prudent to do so. It worked out well. We had lunch at the Siberian Internet Cafe which was a really neat place. *** I suddenly realize this is turning into more journaling than just medical but I'm on a roll so I'm going for it.

Kathy and Corey drove Emily's car back home and Emily and I took off, headed for Crossville. We always have fun whatever we do and this was no exception. By the time we got checked in and made sure we could find the Play House without any trouble it was dark and time for nourishment, which we took care of at Ruby Tuesday's. We were pretty tired but couldn't waste a perfectly good night, so we found the cinema and bought tickets for Alvin and the Chipmunks! A really cute movie. We had about an hour to kill so we went to K-Mart close by as we don't get to go there much. I was hoping to find just all kinds of good stuff, and they certainly had the "stuff" but none that fit my needs for Christmas. After the movie Emily went for a swim in their indoor pool. I life-guarded. She could have drowned if I hadn't. heehee!

Saturday morning we packed up and checked out and headed to Cracker Barrel for breakfast. By the time we finished, looked around and left it was about an hour before our 2:30 PM show. So we just parked in the parking lot and talked. We do some of our best talking in parking lots, y'all!

We saw the stage production of "Oliver" and it was one of the best I've seen. And learned that there are some very intersting shows coming in the near future. Beauty and the Beast in coming again. We saw it a year or so ago and it was so great! I can't remember what time we got out, it was getting dusky dark when we headed for home. We weren't ready to give it up yet, so we got directions for an outlet mall in Mount Juliet. As we were approaching the area we spotted an Olive Garden Restaurant!!! omigosh!!! It was a sign! So we stopped. But, it was Saturday night and the place was packed. They said there was an hour wait, but we were not to be put off. We took our little signal light and went shopping for a few minutes. We got back and dined and relaxed and it was fabulous! ahhhhh! Then we were ready to shop some more. Not too long though. We had to get home, darn it! And it rained a lot and was very windy, which made for a difficult drive. Therefore, part of the reason for this post and why I am sore. Ha Ha Thought I'd forgotten, didn't you? Then there was the usual sitting 4 hours at church Sunday AM and PM, the meal sitting (I hate folding chairs), and busy afternoon making finger foods, playing with grandchildren, etc. So, Mondays are always a little rough, but I don't expect too much and just take it kind of easy at dialysis. It went fine. I even had a visitor which is a super plus at dialysis! Then, when they took me off, after clamp time, I stood up and proceeded to create a major crime scene! Rats! But everything is fine now. Thus, my adventures for the past weekend! Whew!

That's all for now! ~Later

Interesting Day!

It was a rough day at dialysis today. It went normally for most of the time but toward the end I started feeling very strangely which signals that my blood pressure has taken a nose dive. They got that straightened out and then my feet, ankle and calves started cramping big time. They have cramped before but not like this. It just wasn't letting up. It lasted long enough that I was getting a little sick. I only had about 5 minutes left on the machine so they took me off. It was still a few minutes before I could stand up. Two kilos of fluid removal is about my limit. I overdid it with the salt and other stuff over the weekend and my weight gain was a little high. Not real bad, but I guess that is a relative term. The effects were high so that is what counts. I was pretty wiped out.

Educational Posts Coming!

I'm putting together information here that relates to my experience with PKD and dialysis. The above photo is a dialysis chair and dialysis unit. This is very similar to where I go except we don't have dividing curtains between units. There are about 10 chairs at our center and they run three shifts.

Guess I Need to Be Kept Humble!

I didn't write about the rest of my excitement Friday at dialysis. I was feeling really chipper after the Dr. gave me the additional 15 minutes, so when my time was up and they had the clamps on, I got up and put my pillows away, zipped 'em up, etc. I knew better than to be moving around doing stuff before my 15 min. clamp time. Made it fine until I got out to the car and started to put my stuff in the trunk, and then Old Faithful gushed forth. You have to immediately put pressure on it, which I did and then went back in for another 15 min. clamp on that particular site. Later when Emily came by the house, she came in and said, "What happened? It looks like a crime scene out there on your bumper!" Sure enough, I had dripped onto the bumper. Fine. I cleaned it up.

Today I made sure I didn't move for 15 min. with the clamps. But my access hurt anyway, but I thought it was no big deal. I got packed up without using my left arm, went to the lobby and called William and said I was ready. Hung up. Stood up....and proceeded to create a major crime scene in the lobby! Don't know what is going on with that, but experience is the best teacher. Any kind of pain or discomfort should always be addressed immediately! Evidently, the clamps were not positioned "just right" so the access could heal itself over. How many times will it take before I learn not to take anything for granted? I think I might remember from now on.

Noteworthy News!

I am so excited! Guess what happened today?!!! The nephrologist did rounds today. I told him I had something for him. I've been saving this huge (fake) $100 bill. I told him I was prepared to pay him BIG Bucks for 15 more minutes off my time. In May when I started dialysis, I was on for four hours. Since that time my labs have been consistently good and I have had four 15 minute reductions and was at 3 hours for treatment. I was told that was about as low as I could expect. Today my time was reduced again and Monday I start at 2 hr. 45 min.!! I am so excited! Of course, if my lab results go down..... or up....or whatever they aren't suppose to do, he'll have to put me back at 3 hours, but I'm counting on them not going anywhere. Anyway, I'm only the third person here that has a time that low. Thank you, Jesus!!!

Oh, did I tell you I'm excited??? heehee

Another Week..............

has uneventfully flowed into the past. Dialysis seems to have settled into a mundane occurance. I blink twice and it's time to go again. Some days seem more productive than others. And then it seems to catch up with me and I need a day of just doing absolutely nothing. But, sure as I do, it is time to go all over again. Then I feel like I'm wasting my life away. This is quite a balancing act. I know I need to schedule my life in a way where I can be more productive, but I've never been famous for my ability to do that. I'm a procrastinator by nature and have prided myself in my flexability. Which actually means that I can put a task off until the last minute and then stay up most of the night getting it done. If someone wants to do something, it's no problem for me to drop whatever I am doing and go. I'm still geared like that. I don't want to miss out on spending time with the person that asks.

The number one complaint at this time is the time change. When it starts being dark at 5:00 PM it is just too much! It seems to be a different kind of darkness to me. It closes in on me and blows its cold wind of discontent through my being, and holds me prisoner. Solitude is not a good thing during this time. I sink deep within myself alone and desperate, and unable to voice the need that overwhelms me. I need to stop here. Don't know if I can handle this much truth. ~Later

Better than I thought!

My dental appointment went even better than I expected! Although I had been eating without pain, an adjustment made even a bigger difference. I thought just eating without pain was great and it was and still is. But after the visit, we went straight to Chick Filet. And not only could I eat without pain, I could chew anywhere in my mouth I wanted to. I know that probably doesn't sound like a big deal, but believe me, when you've had only one spot where you can chew, it's a BIG difference. And I could chew it well. Wow! So this is what eating really is like. It's the little things that can really make you happy. Ahhhhhhh.........
Thank you, Lord.

Woot! Woot!

Just for anyone's information, who might like to know, since last week, I have been eating pretty much like a normal person - that means without PAIN! My gum is all healed! Now that's exciting folks! I'm scheduled for my follow-up appt. Thursday. I knew eventually it had to get well, but sometimes it seems like forever. Woot! Woot!

~Later

Wow, I was sooooo... tired this morning. I didn't even take anything with me to do while on dialysis. Brought my ear phones and tried to drown out the sounds of the center, but at best I could only float in and out. My arm hurt today, just aggravating. I did bleed a little before they took the needles out.

I partied a little too much this weekend (aka eating too much from the forbidden food list). I can't keep doing that. I've got to spread it out more instead of pigging out all weekend. The machine was set to pull off the extra fluids and my blood pressure went really low at one point. I got to feeling really weird and told the nurse. They adjusted the machine and gave me some fluid back. I was so sleepy when I got home I could hardly hold my head up. Weird. It's bed time now and I'm wide awake!

~Later

All is well!

I did bleed one day this week. But everything has gone really well. I've been working on some ornaments (sewing) and that passes the time really well. I was told that it might be possible to get 15 more minutes off my time if I ask. Two hours and 45 minutes would be really cool! I have done exceptionally well with dialysis. It's accomplishing what it is suppose to. I don't have any other outstanding illness. The fibromyalgia is painful at times but it isn't debilitating. Arthritis-type stuff is rearing its ugly head but I guess that is to be expected. Fatigue, sometimes. Yep, over all I think I'm doing pretty good. Emily is seeing that I am getting more exercise and I can really tell a difference there.

Stayed in bed. . . .

I thought a day in bed, or at least half of it would be beneficial. I don't know if it was or not. Sure doesn't feel like it, but then I haven't been vertical long enough to actually judge the day. I could blame it on the weather. I could blame it on fibromyalgia. I could blame it on arthritis, bursitis, sinusitis, or old age-itis. I suppose it doesn't really matter. I feel like I've been horse-whipped. I'm really looking forward to this winter. sigh! I will feel better. I will! I WILL!

~da grandma

More Whining!

Made the trip to the dentist today. The girl worked for an hour trying to fix my problem with not much luck. She pretty quickly fixed the place where they were rubbing really bad and I have a big sore there. I have two post that are suppose to "click" onto my lower dentures. Only one of them clicks at a time. I can get them both to click, but not at the same time. Kind of like my mouth is warped. And I tried so much that I think I made my gums sore again in another place. Big Sigh! My head hurts, my gums hurt, and I'm just miserable all over. Time for drugs!

~Later

Home Again

My teeth aren't quite as exciting today. I have sore places on both jaws and it's impossible to chew anything that resists. The dentist told me to call in right away if I had any sore places and not try to just outlast them. So I said okay. That was Thurs. Friday I called and said we're coming through Nashville, is there any way I could come by. Well, sorry but they close early on Fridays so Monday would be the first day I could see him. I have dialysis Monday so they put me down for Tuesday. So much for seeing him right away! Pardon my whining. I'm just very tired, and throbbing gums isn't conducive to peace and tranquility right now. I'll be better soon, I promise. ~Later

Teeth can be exciting!

Just got home from dialysis which went good today. No problems. The only problem as usual is my backside. I didn't take my big pillow for sitting on. Thought different stress might help. I was wrong. We have more traveling today and tomorrow and then church Sunday (lots of sitting), and dialysis again Monday. Hopefully, Tuesday will bring some relief!

Went to the dentist yesterday for the last of the work done on my implants! Yahoo!!!! It's amazing how well they fit. He did some measuring and grinding, etc. and I may just bite somebody for the fun of it. LOL I may have to have some tweaking done, but that's all. I'm really excited about them. They don't move at all. I'll have to build up some strength in my gums as they are not used to that much pressure being given them to chew. Never knew that new teeth could be this exciting. Thank the Lord for modern technology! This guy uses computer technology and everything is done precisely!
~Later

Thursday

Dialysis is really going well these days. I remember to keep still for the 15 min. waiting time after the needles are removed. That fourth hour was the most uncomfortable, so the three hours I'm on now is pretty manageable. The worse problem remains to be my back and hip. I'm walking and exercising more now and that helps. The time just gets away from me too quickly. Weeks where EVERY day is filled with dialysis and appts, etc. get rough, but I also need to push myself a little in order to do something other than just sitting at dialysis 3 days a week. Otherwise, I get depressed. I continue to work at decluttering my house but that appears to be a lifetime job! I am happy with the progress thus far, small as it is. Emily always goes out of her way to keep me occupied and challenged. If not for her I'd be in the looney bin by now. Our story is an unusual one that I know was orchestrated by God. I am still awed by it and still try to figure it out, but I can only shake my head, grin and breathe a Thank You.

My diagnosis

Due to the question asked by Jennifer, I thought it would be better to give the information as a post rather than a quick comment. I am not a person of few words. LOL I got my diagnosis 25 years ago. Two or three years earlier my sister had an episode with her potassium out of balance and got really sick. That promoted tests that discovered her PKD. She was told to alert her siblings as it was hereditary. I was tested and told I didn't have it. They did say signs of PKD usually presents itself by your mid-thirties. So I was tested again at 35 by another doctor. He said that if I didn't have it when first tested, I must have a very fast type. He did, however, say he'd like to see the X-rays if they were available. (IVP was used) I took them to him and he stuck them in his viewer. "Oh yes", he immediately said. "You had it then, see right there." And he proceeded to show me what I was looking at and it was very apparent.

Of course, there was nothing to do but wait and watch. I had no outward symptoms for several years, but high blood pressure finally showed itself. I took medication that worked fine for a number of years. Eventually it did lose its effectiveness and it took over a year before a combination was found that worked for me. During that time I had some problems that were caused by the pkd; gout, shingles (in my left palm!), one cyst bleed, things like that. Then the function started to decrease. I guess it was always decreasing but I wasn't told that. This all happened really slowly. When I got to 15-20% function they began to watch the numbers closely. They said when I reached 10% that I would have to go on dialysis.

People always ask me if I began to feel worse. The answer is no. I never could tell by my feelings that my health was any different. So it was kind of easy to ignore the facts until I had to do something. After continued urging by my nephrologist I had an AV fistula done in Sept. of 2006. I didn't go on dialysis until May of 2007, so the fistula was ready. In Dec. of 2006 I started testing at Vanderbilt Hospital for a transplant evaluation. My overall health was good and they said I'm an excellent candidate for a transplant and I'm now on the list. I have no prospects for a live donor so it may be a long wait, if at all.

Well, that's a little more than just the diagnosis so I'll stop here. I'll gladly answer any questions anyone has. Please feel free to ask anything you want to know. BTW, Jennifer, how did you find my site?

~Later

Yes, I've been amiss in my blogging this week. Three days to dialysis, as you know. One day to the orthopedic dr. That place was covered up! They almost acted like they'd never seen me before. They knew it was my second visit, but had no idea of what they had done or told me last time. Basically, I came away with the thought that it just isn't worth the effort. I know most everyone who knows me is having a fit because you think I am going to bypass medical care that I probably need. Not so. Please give me some credit. I've lived with enough of this stuff that I know my body a little better than someone who doesn't know me at all. I just don't need the stress of filling every day with appts. to doctors that is not really going to add any benefit to my life. I just need to manage the pain, and get some rest. That's a little simplified, but I can do it.

Dad and I are a little frustrated. After all the time we put in trying to plan and work toward retirement so we would be okay, and not dependent on anyone, we find ourselves tossed to and fro by the medical and financial community. Nobody seems to know what they're doing. Every one of the people we speak to tells something different. And they can't give out our confidential information even to us. uuuuuuuh......duh! How stupid is that?

William has been taking care of it because he knows all the ins and outs so far to date. If I ever have to take over, it isn't going to be pretty. Right now, I just rely on the fact that Jesus is Lord, and I know that He is in control of whatever happens. This is all temporary. This is not our home. We are just passing through. But I would like for the journey to be as unchaotic as possible.

Monday

Had a really hectic weekend. I was ready for a nap when I got to dialysis this morning, but, of course, that is never really possible. I did find a good movie, "Glory" to watch and I was able to rest somewhat. No bleeding problems or any other problems except some cramping during the last five minutes. So it was a really good day overall. Can't ask for better than that. ~Later

Thursday review

Wednesdays are very taxing days. Not only is it a dialysis day, but it is also church day. We have a Wed. meal at our church which is so convenient for those moms who work and have children to feed, etc. But from my viewpoint it is another hour to sit, and then another+ in bible study. It is quite painful and I can't concentrate on what I'm suppossed to be listening to. I am so tired and sore on Thursday that I don't have a very productive day. By the time I get some sort of rest, it's dialysis day again. Sorry if this sounds like whining(it is, but it's MY blog! heehee). How awful would it be if I just didn't go?

Test Post

Do you see a comment link?

Medical update

Dad had another appt. today with dr. Shah. He has type 2 diabetes. He's to check it every other day. As long as it is between 100-150 it's ok. If it gets on up close to 200 he'll have to take more meds. He is currently taking 2 mg glimepiride tab which is generic for amaryl. Dad thinks it was 180-something the other day. He is to be on a low fat - low cholesterol diet. Losing weight would be a good thing.
He is taking mobic for his arthritis. That has helped with his pain and soreness, but he is still weak-legged. We hope some weight loss will help that.

We now have a handicap parking tag.

I got a copy of my most recent lab reports. I think I'm in kindergarden. I got all smiley faces! That means all items are within my goal range. And I think you know that I got another 15 minutes off my time putting me at 3 hours! Wooo Whoooo!!! I did bleed some yesterday when they took the clamps off and after they had taped me, but we got it fixed right off.

Are we having fun yet?

Dialysis went fine. I'm still having problems with the hip. And this morning my left big toe is sore. Now, that may sound very trifling to you, but I'm concerned that it may be gout. I'm hoping I just bruised the toe or something, but I've had gout before and it started with a sore big toe joint. I'm also getting just a little overwhelmed with all the medical stuff. It isn't just one problem and you deal with it. I'm dealing. But then there is another, and another, and another...til you wonder why you bother. You can't win. I'm just venting here, don't get worried. I know I can't quit, but it does get frustrating. Can't do the things I wanna do. Can't do the things I need to do. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrr.........

Monday

Things went fine today. I did bleed some but didn't know when it was going on. It was during the dialysis. The weekend was good. Guess what?! We had lunch at the Brass Lantern yesterday and I HAD A SALAD!!! And I could chew it! Wow! Now that is exciting, folks. Hopefully I'll be through with the dental work soon and will be able to eat like a normal person. Woo Whooooo!!! ~Later

Already the weekend again!

I just seem to be going in circles. I'm lucky if I get two posts done a week. Yesterday was a bleeder. I haven't done that in a long time. I did get up and walk around a bit during my 15 min. waiting time. I forget that I MUST NOT MOVE for that 15 min. or it will spring a leak, and that adds an extra 15 min. of waiting. RATS!

I had a dentist appt. Thursday. That was uneventful accept for more soreness from riding. The weather is so nice; rainy and cool. Quite a change from the high temps and drought conditions during August/Sept. I am battling some unknown angst, whether due to the weather change or just my own inner mechanism, I don't know. But, I carry on.

Dialysis went fine today. No bleeding or anything, but I have been in mega pain for two days. I think it's a combination of things. Fibromylgia-rainy weather. Sitting, riding. Sinuses. Implants. Seems like everything hurts. I took a darvocet and it helped some but not wonderfully. But it is a Monday. There is hope that tomorrow will be a better day.

Appointment

I went to an orthopedic doctor yesterday. My lower back and hip (as I think I've mentioned before) is giving me problems. The bottom line is: I need to start an exercise program again. He says dialysis really does a number on your bones. Gee, I'm glad I know that now. He did give me something to take occasionally for pain. And a muscle relaxer. He offered a shot of cortizone or I could wait and get it next time if I don't improve. I opted to wait. The effects would only be temporary anyway. I am really in need of prioritizing and scheduling my life in every area. Sighhhhh! It's time for the big girl pants.

He was a young doctor and very nice. I liked him. Talked to me like I'm an adult. A definite plus.

Left - a polycystic kidney; Right - a normal kidney

Yesterday's Day

I was so very tired from the weekend that Monday was not a day I wanted to rise and face the day. I was so tired but couldn't rest on dialysis. I tried to sleep but kept going in and out of consciousness because of beeping machines, ringing telephones, and such. I finally resorted to the TV to deaden my brain. The dialysis itself went fine. No problems. I am finding that on the day of dialysis I get extremely tired, achy, and basically wiped out by the end of the day. Gonna have to compensate with a nap maybe, when I get home.

Housekeeping is getting very frustrating. Sometimes I think I just need to sequester myself and not go anywhere or do anything until I get it all done. But then, I might never be seen again. Sigh! ~Later

Update

Well, I did indeed go to the dentist. He did uncover the implants and installed what I will call spacers. They attached to the implants and come above the gum line. I go back in two weeks to get stitches out (I don't think I had stitches) and follow up. We'll make an app't. then to do the finishing work. Been working on this for about 9 months. Hopefully it is getting done right and will be perfect when everything is completed. Wouldn't that be something? Tylenol is taking care of any pain, so that is going well. ~Later

Wednesday Update

Dialysis went well today. No bleeding, no other difficulty. The time passed fairly fast. In the morning I have an appointment with my dentist in Brentwood. It is time for the next step. I am totally without a clue what to expect. I know they will sedate me, uncover the implants embedded in my jaw bone, and I THINK they will add some kind of marble-shaped top to them. I'm not exactly sure of what it will take to accomplish this. I don't know if they will also fit my lower plate to snap onto these tomorrow or if they have to wait for everything to heal. I may be living on milk shakes for a day or two! I just don't know. Pray for me. And pray for my chauffeur and caregiver. I will keep you updated if my computer will let me. It is possessed at the moment and I never know what it's going to do. ~Later

weekend

The weekend has just gone by too fast! It's time to start another week of dialysis. Wish I could find the ultimate pass time. I guess knowing you're tied down and have to be for a certain period is not like wasting your time because you want to. I haven't had any company during dialysis in a couple of weeks or more. "Hint, hint" to all whom it may concern! I'm fading fast so this is it for today.

~Later

Good News!

Dialysis went fine today. No bleeding problems. Got the results of my monthly labs today and the doctor gave me another 15 minutes off my time!! Woooooo Hooooo! This is the third decrease I've gotten, from four hours to 3 hours 15 minutes!

I still haven't heard from the X-rays I had taken over a week ago. I called the office and left a message but they never called me back. I called again this afternoon and learned that my doctor is gone on vacation and my x-rays are still on her desk. They said they would check them and see what they could tell me. They haven't called me back yet. I'm glad my life isn't depending on this information.

~Da Grandma

Rainy Days and Mondays always get me . . . .

Another Monday! I think there are about three of them in my week. I am so sore as usual. I'm hoping to hear from my doctor today about the x-rays they took last Thursday. And I hope they saw something on them that is easily fixable, like another pill. Old age is not for sissies. But then, neither is any other age! The doctor told me I had lost 35 pounds since this time last year. Woo Hoooo! That was encouraging. Let's hope I continue with this trend. If it ever cools off again, I must start a walking routine again. The 90s would feel like a cold front.

~Later

A Bad Day

It was not a very good day today. I was so tired, because I had a tiring weekend I guess. Boring. All alone. Whine, whine! No bleeding problem, though. I drove home from the center. William said he is sick at his stomach. I guess we both are very much feeling our ages today. I think we will mostly rest the remainder of the day.

~Later,

Da Grandma

Wednesday

Had a good day at dialysis today. They called me at 7:30 and wanted to know if I wanted to come in early today. Thought I might as well since I was awake. I got there about 8:30. Was also given a new time. I was offered 6:30 AM but I wasn't sure I could handle that full time. There was another patient that would love to have 6:30 so they let him have it and I took his time of 9:30 which is an hour earlier. I had no problems with bleeding or anything today. They took labs today for the transplant people. ~Later

Another Monday...

Dialysis went fine yesterday. No extra bleeding, but I was so tired from the weekend and from staying up too late Sunday night. I read some while I was on, and tried to watch a little tv, but it was blah. Just a very tiring day. Mark said that if my labs are still doing as well as they have been, he is going to ask for another 15 minutes off. I asked what the shortest time that anyone took dialysis and I think he said 2 hours 45 minutes. That beats four hours by a long shot. I'm going to try and fix up some sewing for me to do while on dialysis. I want to work on my chrismon ornaments. I think I can manage them if I do a little pre-work. I need to start taking some real food with me. I was already shaking when I got home Mon. and went straight for the kitchen and made some wonderful turkey/cheese/onion/pickle/lettuce/tomato sandwiches. mmmmmmmmm.......!

Here it is Thursday. My week is quickly ebbing away. Yesterday was not a good day for me at dialysis. I didn't have any bleeding and that was good, but I was situated in what I will forever more dub The Demon Chair. This was the third time I have been in this chair and I have been in great pain every time. I asked several if I could request to never be in this chair again. No one directly answered me. Don't know if they thought I was kidding or what. I try hard to be cooperative and untroublesome, do everything I can for myself, but I think if I'm given this chair again I may go off the deep end. I don't know if it is worn out, or just what, but my lower back seems to meet the chair right on a nerve and there seems to be no way to aleviate the pain or get comfortable. I didn't go to church last night because I didn't think my back could take 2 more hours of sitting. I am getting so tired. Mentally. Physically. Emotionally. One more treatment and then the weekend! Ahhhhh! Almost like having a job, huh? Well, that's my whining for today. ~Later

Today I went for my appt. at the dentist. He's more than just a dentist, he's a specialist of some kind, but I don't know his exact title. Anyway, they took the X-rays of the implants and they look good. Now they have to contact the nephrologist and learn his reccommendation as to when they can do the surgery (with anesthesia), in relation to the dialysis cycle, etc. I am anxious to get this finished. I may bite everybody I know when this is all over. Beware!

William and I ate at the Olive Garden. I tried something new, Apricot Chicken something or 'other with grilled vegetables. I wasn't impressed. It was okay, just didn't excite my taste buds. The salad and bread sticks did though.

Did some shopping at JoAnn's. Ahhhhhhhhhhhh.............I needed that fix.

~

Today was non-eventful at dialysis. Jennifer came by on her lunch hour. That always helps break up the day.

PKD & Dialysis

This is where I'm going to keep a journal of sorts about my dialysis and any other health concerns. Not everyone wants to hear the details of a person's ailments, and this is more for me than anyone else. I'll gladly answer questions anyone might have. I will also be posting some related websites that give a wealth of information. Don't feel that any question is too "dumb" or personal. I don't mind sharing details. If I don't want to answer a question I will say so.

I was diagnosed with PKD (polycystic kidney disease) in my mid-thirties. I didn't start having any outward symptoms until my 50s. On May 7, 2007 I began hemodialysis at Davita. I am so blessed that the center is only about two blocks from my house. There are many that drive long distances three days a week in order to take dialysis. There are those who must come by ambulance from nursing homes, etc. They come on walkers, oxygen, and with all kinds of other difficulties. The only other physical problems I have is fibromyalgia which can be painful at times, but I again have been fortunate to have been able to stay in the home and not had to get a factory job as some women I know. The health of several of my friends has been ruined from having to work in a factory in order to make a living and to have insurance coverage. I also have some arthritis as we all get as time goes on.

One of my main concerns before I started dialysis was the fact that I would have to remain in one place for a long period of time. Indeed, that is creating a problem for me. The hip and knee joints are getting rather stiff and painful. Another concern for now is the bleeding. When the needles are removed the blood wants to keep flowing. I have a fistula which is an artery and vein linked together surgically which enlarges the vein and increases it's ability to handle the extra flow of blood necessary for the dialysis to be adequate. The needles are rather large (15 gauge X 1") and make that size holes. Left unchecked, a person could bleed to death in a matter of minutes. The staff at the center is well-trained, and capable when it comes to looking out for the patient. I feel very secure in their care.

Tomorrow my treatment time starts at 10:30 AM. That's an hour earlier than before. When an earlier time becomes available they ask if I want it. This is the second time change I've had. It will give me some more of my day in the afternoon.