I started this year with the hope that Dan would get a kidney in 2009. Now summer is here and we don't have a kidney yet... Of course the year is only half gone, but the process is so slow that I feel somewhat discouraged.
We do have a potential candidate that will get her physical in July and hopefully she will be healthy, healthy, healthy. It is hard to be positive and be prepared for the bad news, all at the same time. The brain plays tricks on you and you start mentally making plans about the transplant, the logistics for the business etc. and then you bring yourself down to reality. That is the reason that Dan stays a little detached from the process. The ups and downs are emotionally draining. He is getting adjusted to dealing with dialyisis while mantaining a working schedule. No easy task....
Monday, June 15, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Great webinar
I just watched a webinar about kidney transplantation hosted by the PKD foundation . It has 'everything you ever wanted to know about kidney transplants'. The John Hopkins doctor does a great job of explaining the wait, the benefits of live donations, etc. Then he answers questions.
If you are interested please go to http://www-waa-akam.thomson-webcast.net/us/dispatching/?event_id=e301cee92ab960ec523fdb6fc4f5d5c4&portal_id=b20ccfb37b06dc2e8d0e1573b7371e7b
If you are interested please go to http://www-waa-akam.thomson-webcast.net/us/dispatching/?event_id=e301cee92ab960ec523fdb6fc4f5d5c4&portal_id=b20ccfb37b06dc2e8d0e1573b7371e7b
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Life goes on...
Yes, we have settled on our routine. But we can't say that dialysis has not impacted our lives. Pretty much everything we do has to have in mind the fact that three days a week are pretty much shot for Dan. And we really only have Sunday off, since Mondays we go to Restaurant Depot and any other errand we may need to do (Sam's, Publix). I still go to the market on Tuesdays and then on to do prep.
One of our candidates was affected by the economic downturn and won't be able to finish testing. We have another candidate that's will be tested. We are so lucky to have had several candidates. We also got response from the article in Creative Loafing. They are all heroes!
We are doing okay hanging in there but please keep us in your thoughts!
One of our candidates was affected by the economic downturn and won't be able to finish testing. We have another candidate that's will be tested. We are so lucky to have had several candidates. We also got response from the article in Creative Loafing. They are all heroes!
We are doing okay hanging in there but please keep us in your thoughts!
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Dialysis and donor news
Dan is now set on his dialysis routine. Clinic dialysis is really different from home-hemo. He still gets really wiped out and if he has to can do maye one errand after treatment but then has to come home and rest/sleep for most of the afternoon.By the time he gets to the restaurant to be the host he is starting to perk up. By the next day he feels great! He feels strong and healthy.
Our work routine is also set and working well.
We are still looking for a donor. Like I said, we have some prospects but so far no luck. So PLEASE spread the word about Dan. We really really need a kidney!!!
Our work routine is also set and working well.
We are still looking for a donor. Like I said, we have some prospects but so far no luck. So PLEASE spread the word about Dan. We really really need a kidney!!!
Friday, February 6, 2009
Long and winding dialysis road
I cannot begin to describe how intense the training for home hemodialysis is. For us, it meant waking up at 6:45 to get to the training clinic by 8, getting out anywhere from 12:30 to 2 o'clock. We have arrived at the restaurant by 12pm for 10 years, so by the time we got there from training we were stressed and behind in our prep. Danny felt better so that was the carrot at the end.
We should have been home with the machine two and a half weeks ago, but our training nurse broke her foot, so for two weeks we were just coasting.
Last Friday, after a treatment full of problems, Danny decided that the modality of home hemodialysis was not for us. It is perfect for patients with normal hours, people who work during the day and get home in the evening, have dinner and then dialyse. For us, it was constant stress. So he decided to switch to in-clinic dialysis which means that he goes Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday to get treatment.
He started in-clinic yesterday. He had to be there by 6:30 and finished by 11:45. His treatment may become shorter after a couple of tests, but for now he has to dialize for four hours.
After his treatment he felt worn out but today he feels great! We think his body will get used to this modality after a few weeks of treatment. But we are already less stressed and that's great!
We should have been home with the machine two and a half weeks ago, but our training nurse broke her foot, so for two weeks we were just coasting.
Last Friday, after a treatment full of problems, Danny decided that the modality of home hemodialysis was not for us. It is perfect for patients with normal hours, people who work during the day and get home in the evening, have dinner and then dialyse. For us, it was constant stress. So he decided to switch to in-clinic dialysis which means that he goes Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday to get treatment.
He started in-clinic yesterday. He had to be there by 6:30 and finished by 11:45. His treatment may become shorter after a couple of tests, but for now he has to dialize for four hours.
After his treatment he felt worn out but today he feels great! We think his body will get used to this modality after a few weeks of treatment. But we are already less stressed and that's great!
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