Thursday, July 21, 2011

Hi All, My morning didn't start off so good, for some reason my alarm didn't go off, so i was about 1/2 hour late for my hemo treatment. I phoned the unit, to tell them i would be late and why, but no one answered the phone, i called three times, so i just went about getting ready to go to the unit. I arrived about a 1/2 hour late for my appointment, and i was so ashamed, i told my husband and daughter to go in first, and then my husband explained to the nurse manager the reason for my late arrival. She really didn't respond, all she told me was to take my weight and go to station 3. As she began to setup my treatment summary, i was told my treatment session would be for 2 1/2 hours, instead of the usual 3 hr. 15 min. session. I signed the get off early form to go foward with today's treatment. After all the usual protocol to get prepared, it was time to rock and roll. Treatment began, i was waiting patiently for someone to come over and ask me what happen and why i was late, but no one approached me, and i guess it was because of what i observed at station 1 - no show patient - and as i was having treatment, a tech and nurse were conversating around me, and talking about the station 1 patient - saying that a tech saw her enter the parking lot, and she was about ten minutes early, when she arrived in the parking lot, but as the tech continued to look at her, she didn't get out of the car and just drove off, with no explanation whatsoever, go figure! i truly would like to know what is her excuse for not coming in, because it was apparent that she wasn't late at all, as that was my excuse. I am still feeling so ashamed, (i was so chicken, i didn't want to look any of the techs or nurses in the eye), i think it need to purchase a new alarm clock, as i have had this for some time, i purchased it sometime ago in Long Beach, i guess it was on its last leg. about two hours after the hemo treatment began, my neph and case manager came over - it was time for my monthly checkup, this felt so weird to me, because a month ago, i had just seen my neph in the PD department. We discuss the incidence first,that happen last Saturday, and then we went on to what is planned to transpire in the next few weeks, you know regarinding the repair of my umblicial hernia and removing a kidney at the same time. However, there was a neurologist appt. scheduled for Augus 5, this can't happen soon enough for me,(in my book), as i am not enjoying hemodialysis with a temp cath, one bit. I told my neph, that i can't wait to return to PD.(he just responded with a little chuckle). He also discuss how my labs have differ since beginning Hemo, for instance my phosphorus was a little elevated - 5.7 - and just recently my phosphorus was always in normal range on PD. However, i did tell him, that i think it is because, when i was on PD, i only took five renagel, and now on hemo, i will probably have to go back to taking six renagel, like i was previously on hemo for ten years, go figure! It is obvious i won't be following my renal diet on hemo, like i did on PD. The renal diet does vary with hemo and PD, with some similarities, that is why i labeled this diet early on in my hemo life, a very complex diet to follow. I share this in my first book, (and it bares repeating) as well as my second book. This is the main reason why most dialysis pts. have issues with managing good health with this diet, so many restrictions of what to eat, what not to eat, and what to be eaten in moderation, a person can go in sane. Following this diet for well over two decades, it has truly become second nature to me, yet i am still human, and i can slip from time to time, because i just can't give up certain things, such as cheese, i truly adore, what can i say, i try my best to eat it in moderation and to try to cook with the lowest and moderate cheeses, when i cook dishes with cheese, especially mac and cheese, (where i have tried my best to make it as renal friendly as possible). Oh, i almost forgot, i got several compliments on my tube top. How about that, still looking stylish and trendy, inspite of having to sport that catherer accessory (lol) As always, until next blog, i wish all my bloggers all the best. Stay healthy and compliant. Glo