Hello All :-)
The next chapter..dialysis
We went along to my routine kidney checkup appointment back in March this year. Always knew the day would come, but somehow didn’t expect to be told by my Consultant that he wanted me to start dialysis. I’d either start dialysis or be back to see him, whichever appointment came first. Dialysis appointment was first.
D Day ~ 11th April 2014!
This felt like the beginning of the end, but in reality, it’s the start of a whole new chapter. Another step closer to transplant. Another step closer to hopefully a healthier, better life.
Day one of dialysis presents us first with a 35 mile toad trip the the unit (a 76 mile round trip, which soon turns into a real drain, adding to the stress of attending the unit).
Day one ~ arrive at the unit..everyone is very welcoming and friendly (still doesn’t ease the nerves). Shown to the room, made as comfortable as I can be. And then..information overload..aaaaargh! Lost count of how many ‘daft questions’ I had for the med staff, but if you don’t know, you need to ask! No question was laughed at but answered perfectly. Needles are in..eyes water, screw my face lol a bit ouchy, but definitely had worse. Only a 2 hour session today (to allow body to adjust and staff see what I’m about too!). Time went quickly..everything being new, doctor coming in for a chat, dietician, blood pressure checks, blood sugar checks etc. before we knew it the time was up. Needles out, wait a short while, all ok and we are off home :-)
Really good to have Saturday and Sunday to chill out a bit, although Sunday afternoon came quickly and time to start winding up ready for dialysis on Monday again.
For the next very few dialysis sessions all was going OK..(2hours, 2.5 hours) A little bonus of tea and toast once hooked up (easily pleased lol). This was short-lived..as the time was increased, I started to feel and be sick, having low blood pressure, low blood sugar, and terrible headaches. Really started to dread each session. I now don’t eat/drink anything while on dialysis..I can’t keep anything down! :-(
Then, out of the blue, I was given a temporary place at my local hospital (5 minutes up the road instead of 45 minutes). Great news, but a new routine and unfamiliar faces to get used to. Again, everyone was fantastic! :-)
Every session hasn’t been the same. One would be terrible (sick, fuzzy/dizzy head, low BP, low BS), then the next would be OK (not sick, a bonus, but still the fuzzy/dizzy head, low BP, low BS). Things are getting better, little by little. Every session is different.
I’ve just had my 17th dialysis session on Monday. It was an ok day :-) Blood sugars are stable throughout, as is blood pressure. Only one dip, which saw me spend 3 of the 4 hours lying out on the couch. Today’s dialysis was HDF..hopefully, this will improve how I feel during the 4 hours. Also, a re-jig of tablet-taking times tomorrow (Wednesday morning) should improve the day session.
Maybe this isn’t of any real interest, and I shouldn’t babble on so much (I did warn you I can babble on for Wales @finnigr lol :-) ), but it’s my experience of how things are going for me, so far, and I wanted to share it with you. You’ll be pleased to read now that I’m all babbled out :-)
Thanks for reading this, hope it’s made a little sense!? :-)
