Today was Jim's second post-op appointment at the dialysis center. Nurse Kathy did another flush. This time it went much better. We also met Michelle who will be his home dialysis nurse. We have training scheduled for the week of December 10th. At that time Michelle will come to the house and teach Jim how to do a manual exchange. This entails 4 exchanges a day each one taking about 30 minutes. It is necessary to learn the manual exchange in case of power loss and electricity for the cycler is not available.
We return to the center next Tuesday when they will watch Jim clean and change the dressing himself. Our next step then is preparing a room at home for his supplies in preparation for training.
Each day he continues to get stronger.
My thoughts...While we never hoped this day would come, it has. Maybe we were just wishful thinking he could have a transplant before dialysis. That's not going to happen. We deal the cards that are dealt us and make the most of it...and hope for the best.
Tuesday, November 27, 2012
Wednesday, November 21, 2012
Missions Possible
Today we went to the Wash U Dialysis Center to have Jim's bandage changed and the catheter flushed out. Ironically, our nurse Kathy remembered treating Lorraine and training her on her cycler almost 20 years ago. It's encouraging to work with someone who obviously loves and knows what she is doing.
After cleaning his incision site, she put in 500 cc's of fluid along with a dose of heparin through his new catheter. While only 300 cc's fluids came out, for the most part it was working. She attributed the low drainage return to his bowels. Since the catheter sits so far into the intestines, any type of blockage will slow down the output and since his bowels have not moved for almost a week that is most likely the cause. Mission #1....Poop!
While this all seemed overwhelming for Jim, he was a real trooper. While he said he was not in any pain, he briefly seemed to hyperventilate. It could have been from the mask he was wearing (which we all worn during the process) along with all the anxiety of this new piece of equipment now extending out of his belly, whichever, he was good. Until he heard the part about not showering for another 4-6 weeks. While his incision site looks good, it still needs to heal completely before getting wet. Mission #2...keep him somewhat hygienically clean so we can stand being around him.
Her intent was to begin training on the cycler within the next 2 weeks. After next weeks appointment, we can better determine a training schedule which will be 5 days of in-home training on the cycler. In order to prepare, we need to have a sterilized room (sorry no dogs allowed) and enough space to store the boxes of solutions. I remember this so well with Lorraine. Piles and piles of Baxter boxes of dialyzing solution. Mission #3....clean, sterilize, "dedog" the bedroom and find storage for our new house guest the cycler.
My Thoughts.....Thanks again for everyone's love, kind words and support. I continue my search everyday for a living donor, but in the meantime, we will embrace the best we can this new life changing development and as I continue to tell Jim to keep positive thoughts. Sometimes easier said than done....
After cleaning his incision site, she put in 500 cc's of fluid along with a dose of heparin through his new catheter. While only 300 cc's fluids came out, for the most part it was working. She attributed the low drainage return to his bowels. Since the catheter sits so far into the intestines, any type of blockage will slow down the output and since his bowels have not moved for almost a week that is most likely the cause. Mission #1....Poop!
While this all seemed overwhelming for Jim, he was a real trooper. While he said he was not in any pain, he briefly seemed to hyperventilate. It could have been from the mask he was wearing (which we all worn during the process) along with all the anxiety of this new piece of equipment now extending out of his belly, whichever, he was good. Until he heard the part about not showering for another 4-6 weeks. While his incision site looks good, it still needs to heal completely before getting wet. Mission #2...keep him somewhat hygienically clean so we can stand being around him.
Her intent was to begin training on the cycler within the next 2 weeks. After next weeks appointment, we can better determine a training schedule which will be 5 days of in-home training on the cycler. In order to prepare, we need to have a sterilized room (sorry no dogs allowed) and enough space to store the boxes of solutions. I remember this so well with Lorraine. Piles and piles of Baxter boxes of dialyzing solution. Mission #3....clean, sterilize, "dedog" the bedroom and find storage for our new house guest the cycler.
My Thoughts.....Thanks again for everyone's love, kind words and support. I continue my search everyday for a living donor, but in the meantime, we will embrace the best we can this new life changing development and as I continue to tell Jim to keep positive thoughts. Sometimes easier said than done....
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
PD Cath is in Place....
Today was Jim's surgery to place the PD catheter in his belly. While surgery was only about 45 minutes, the pre-op and post-op time was long. Jim had alot of pain post-op and we had to wait until his pain was under control before we could leave. He continues to take his pain meds every 4 hours. The ride home was bumpy and uncomfortable for him and he was quite nauseous by the time we arrived home. He's been resting comfortably. We will see what tomorrow brings...
My thoughts: I can vividly remember seeing Jim's grandma and his mom being in this same position. It saddens me that I didn't help them more while going through their treatment. I probably could have learned alot. I honestly believe they are both helping him through this.
My thoughts: I can vividly remember seeing Jim's grandma and his mom being in this same position. It saddens me that I didn't help them more while going through their treatment. I probably could have learned alot. I honestly believe they are both helping him through this.
Thursday, November 1, 2012
Surgery Scheduled
Finally heard from the surgeon. Jim's surgery to insert his catheter is scheduled for November 14th. We are also scheduled to attend a class on peritoneal dialysis (PD) on November 19th.
I continue to find some great resources in searching for a living donor. I have been in contact with a couple potential donors. I get alot of inquires from people wanting to sell their kidneys. Wow...I write them back and inform them that it is illegal in the U.S. to sell organs and to stop wasting peoples time. What is this world coming to???
I continue to find some great resources in searching for a living donor. I have been in contact with a couple potential donors. I get alot of inquires from people wanting to sell their kidneys. Wow...I write them back and inform them that it is illegal in the U.S. to sell organs and to stop wasting peoples time. What is this world coming to???
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