Why Does Everything Have to be So Complicated?

Judy,

I know little about dialysis except one of our neighbors had to do it this last year, 2-3 times a week and we had lots of bad weather...I'll add you and Cole to my prayer list. I was born and raised near Va. Beach, and still miss VA. after all these years. Take care, Hugs, Melodie

I did a quick search....looks like the diet is a challenge. Have you gotten suggestions of a week's meals and what they would look like?

Having made the trip to our tertiary center when the roads were closed because of ice, and we could only travel 25 miles and hour, I feel for you. It does not get easier in the winter. I'll cross my fingers for the home unit.

Does your husband like to read, or watch tv?

Stephany in Iowa

Stephany,
We are in southwest Virginia, and this is the closest dialysis unit. Although there are others being treated at the same time, they take him almost as soon as he arrives. Each treatment takes four hours, where he sits in a contour chair with a TV (much like the chemotherapy treatments). They do not permit the patients to have anybody sit with them.

I have just returned from taking him there, figuring that I could do more by going home than by sitting in the waiting room on a stiff, uncomfortable chair for the four hours. Of course, all this driving may not be the best trade-off, but I will have to wait and see.

Today came the realization that this trip will also have to be made in the winter, when the roads are icy and the plows may not have been running. All the more reason to try for the home dialysis.

You're right about the delayed acceptance. It's possible that he will come round after a while. At least, he is starting to feel better, now that his blood is cleaner.

But oh, that renal diet

Judy

That is devastating news, and it will take him time to process. And I've noticed that men process by withdrawing, until they get a handle on it. Is that what you're experiencing with him? It is very frustrating.

And sometimes, it just takes getting through it a few times to get a better attitude.

Where do you live? And how far is the dialysis unit. Do you get in right away when you get there? How long is the treatment?

Tell us a little more.

Stephany in Iowa

Now for the next phase: my husband, Cole, is now having dialysis three times a week. His nephrologist says it was caused by the cisplatin administered during chemotherapy.

This follows a week in the hospital, following bloodwork that showed high creatinine and BUN levels. He was given emergency dialysis in the hospital, then discharged for treatment as an outpatient. The schedule is brutal—Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 5:20 a.m. Yes, in the morning!! Because it’s a fifty-minute trip, we rise at 3:30 to get there on time.

After some horrible experiences with one of the nephrologists in the ONLY group practice in town, we met a couple other doctors in the same practice who are more satisfactory and who will be treating Cole from now on. We have been told that Cole may be a candidate for home hemodialysis and we are looking forward to taking that step.

I say ‘we’ are looking forward, but I guess it’s only wishful thinking. My husband has been devastated by the news of this new turn of events and is totally in despair that he may be required to be hooked up to a machine for the rest of his life. I’m not sure what to do at this point. I’m only hoping that time will make him realize that he can handle this. It’s so hard for him because he feels that he has lost control of his life and it’s just overwhelming him.

Your prayers are needed. Thanks.

Judy