Tested for match

John, co-worker of mine, was interested in donating a kidney to me and was tested to see if we'd match. Yesterday when I was at work.I meant with John and found out that we did not match. Wrong blood type. He was a little upset that we didn't match but told me he was hoping he'd match with someone else. We all have our fingers crossed.
My home dialysis is going OK. Yesterday I had a pretty rough day. I went to work but my blood pressure was so low. I was standing opening an exhibit and went down. I was helped up and put in the Depot's wheelchair. Couple of the building maintenense guys wheeled me across the street to my appartment. I'm very dehydrated with the dialysis exchanges. I had an appointment at the Dialysis Center and when I walked in, my dialysis nurse said "Brian, you look like a ghost, your so white!" I was given a couple bags of IV fluids and as my nurse put it..."you have color in your lips now..you pinked right up" I'm a little ware out today. Just trying to keep pushing fluids to keep the blood pressure up and taking things slow.

Finished Dialysis Training

Today I finished my dialysis training. Everything went great A LOT to learn and go through. Both my dialysis nurses feel I shouldn't have any problems doing my exchanges. I was very nervous in the beginning but feel much better after the last couple days doing them by myself. The biggest thing I need to be careful of is getting an infection. EVERYTHING must be clean, sterile, and sanitized to prevent from getting infected. Just need to go slow and follow all the steps during my exchange and things will be fine.
Now that I've started dialysis. Now its waiting for that phone call from UM Fairview Transplant Center that I have a match kidney/pancreas for a transplant. We all need to cross our fingers, say a little prayer, that the phone call comes sooner then later.

Dialysis Training

I started my dialysis training this week. A lot to remember, many steps that need to be followed. Can't skip any or I must start over. The dialysis nurse and I made up a little cheat sheet that I can follow along so I don't miss a step. I was doing 3 exchanges at the Center with my dialysis nurse. First day went great but yesterday I had some pain in my lower abdomen but it did decrease when I filled the fluid back in the peritoneal. Today went so good. My dialysis nurse packed up all my equipment and brought to my apartment. To help me set up my area where I'll do my dialysis. Once we set everything up I did my first exchange in my apartment. Then tonight before bed I'll do my first exchange by myself. I'm a bit nervous about doing the first exchange myself.
As Cindy(dialysis nurse) said, "take your time and follow your steps. You'll do fine"
Guess if she didn't think I could handle this by myself she wouldn't have me doing it already. I know I can do this and this is what I have to do. I can't quite see the light at the end of the tunnel but at least I'm in the tunnel. So I'll get there.

Dialysis

I had my Doctor appointment this week. The peritoneal has healed, so on Monday Oct 6th I will start a week of dialysis training at the Dialysis Center. Then after the week I'll be doing the dialysis exchanges at home. Yesterday I received my first order of supplies, 40 cases. Thanks to Mom, Leslie, Laurie, and Terry moving furniture and removing some to make room for my supplies. THANKS GUYS, couldn't have done it without any of you.
I'm little nervous about doing the exchanges at home because of my vision. But talking with my nurses at the Dialysis Center, they will help label things and be 100% sure I can do this before I finish the week of training. Everything needs to be sterile to prevent infection. so the labeling will really help so I wouldn't need to touch or handle each item.
Its been a long wait but I know this will all help me start feeling better, get my energy and appetite back, and get back to 100%. IT CAN'T START SOON ENOUGH!!!