Thursday, August 4, 2011

This is my 10th treatment of temp hemo, and it also President Obama's 50th birthday(Happy Birthday Obama!). It got me to thinking about when i turned 50. I felt so blessed, to have gotten to my milestone, living on dialysis for over two decades. I told my husband that i wanted to embrace my 50th and celebrate it with family, friends, and many that have come into my life, since starting my dialysis life. My husband gave a 50th celebration in my honor. And i loved every minute of it, it is a day that i will never forget, especially that my husband arranged to have varies first cousins, whom i hadn't seen in over 30 years, that was quite a surprise. Well, on to what transpired today on hemo, as usual i was having that uncontrollable coughing, about ten minutes after being connected to the dialyzer. As usual, i was administered some benadryl, so that i would calm down and of course, fall to sleep. The treatment went on smoothly, (and just remember, this is the first day, that my dry weight will be challenged). The hemo treatment went smoothly, from the time of the benadryl administering to the end of treatment, and hallejah! no cramping or plummeting b/p. Since it was a very chilly morning, by the time i finished my treatment and was on my way home, i got into the car, and of course, it was still very chilly at 9:00 AM. I got into the car, and turn the heater on, and for some reason, this was the highlight of the day, after treatment, because i was getting relaxed in the car, and feeling good, while the car heats up, which takes no time. I get home and take my usual 2 hour nap to rejuvenate myself (so to speak). Later on the evening, i get ready to try the new plastic (that i purchased), my daughter as usual assist me in wrapping myself and the taping too. I take my shower, of course, feeling relaxed, and after the shower, i began to remove the plastic, but i had to remove it with scissors, because it was sticking so well. As i removed the taping my the upper part of my chest, i felt it, and it wasn't damp, it was completely dry, then i removed the plastic and tape from the tubing that hang from the catherer, and that was dry. So, wow! i was so pleased with my new remedy to keep the catherer safe and infection free, i can't wait to take my next shower, knowing this remedy is the winner. No More Bird Baths! Hallejah! Now, i have another issue with this temp cath, that darn tape that the unit nurse places on to secure my catherer. I have issues with my skin being irratated from that darn tape. Acually, i just kinda pull the tape up around my catherer, and i really don't have to scratch for relief, just taking a little peeky boo, around the edges, gives me much relief from this itchy feeling. The unit nurse, seems to bandage me up like a mummy. I think that is way too much tape to help in securing the catherer, it is over kill in my opinion. I try not to pull it away too much, where the ahesive from the tape doesn't want to no longer hold. So yes, that is another one of my issues with having this temp cath. OMG! i can't wait to get this temp cath removed, and i could return to PD. I can't wait. Now don't get me wrong, i have had some advantages of returning to hemo, such as i didn't have to take iron, vitamin D, potassium supplements & protein supplements,orally, or even EPO shots,(it gets administered through the tubing during treatment) since returning to hemo, but just like hemo, PD has some advantages as well, such as no needling, and no tedious 3 hour sitting treatments, not having to deal with that cold hemo room, and i noticed i have been craving ice chips, whereas i only on occasion eat ice chips on PD. Well, that is it for my blogging today, take care and all the best to my blogger. Glo