Surviving

The past couple of weeks have been challenging. Using NxStage at home by myself has been hard. There have been days when I just wanted to give up, but I've kept going. I have finally got the procedure with the machine down pat now; my challenge now is keeping my arterial pressures in range.

There's a user group for NxStage. They have been a wonderful help for me. Very supportive.

I have finally decided I need someone here with me when I get on my machine. Yesterday my son came over, the day before, Linda S. came over, and the day before that I had Steve here. Getting off is no problem,I just need someone here when I get on. Yesterday I had to adjust my needles and so it was good to have my son here to help.

Woke up this morning to find it raining and my sprinklers were going like crazy. We really need to get a sensor on our water line.

I'm Home, I'm Free!

I finished my month long training at the Grapevine Davita Center for in home dialysis. They were wonderful and so knowledgeable.

I did my first treatment Friday at home! The nurse from the center came over and assisted me and then she will be back tomorrow.

My energy level is so much better than I can remember having in years. SO MUCH BETTER than in center dialysis. I am so greatful.

When I did my hemodialysis on Friday I felt so much better being in my own home.

My blood pressure has gone way down too. Its all good!

Here's a picture of my new lifeline.

I've read that some of those using this machine have given them names. So I thought "thumper". With my renewed energy, I thought of the energizer bunny, but thats too long of a name, so bunny - thumper - also the machine kind of makes a thumping noise when its priming. What do you think? Any other suggestions?

A Little More Confident

I've just completed week two on my training on NxStage to do home dialysis. Feeling a bit more confident, for some reason having a little problem getting off the machine, but I am able to set up ok. Troubleshooting seems a little scary to me, glad we have a manual.

They are sending a plumber out on Tuesday to put a line and drain in and will be sending home the Pureflow part of the equipment on Monday.

Steve is so cute. He's been trying to figure out how to lay out the furniture. I've seen him and his measuring tape checking on things.

Took the dogs for a short walk when we got back this afternoon. Went with one of my friends over to prepare for the clothing exchange tomorrow morning at church.

Tired, signing off, and going to bed. Gotta get up early (while its still cool) so I can pull weeds out of the front bed.

NxStage

I'm learning just how awkward and clumsy I can be. Last week I started NxStage training. NxStage is a dialyzer that will allow me to do dialysis from home. I had been driving over there all last week and on Friday I got lost. Go figure.

I am really sold on NxStage. This is the start of my second week and I can already tell I have more energy. I'd like to make my way through just one time without making a mistake.

Today when I went I did something that caused the bags to leak all over the floor.

On the way back today ................. I really freaked. I didn't see the HOV sticks coming up on 635 and over compensated. I whipped to the right and lost total control of my car. Scared myself. At one point, I nearly went off the overpass. Praise Heavenly Father, he didn't let me and somehow kept me from hitting anyone else.

I am still a little shaken but very greatful.

Normal Lives

Its been a great week. A week with lots of change in my life and growth.

Walking the dogs tonight, I glanced over to my right and saw a family through their dining room window, eating their dinner. I was reminded at that moment, most of us live very normal lives, in normal homes. Not the homes you see on tv on HGTV, but normal living; with laundry to do, dishes to wash, floors to clean, and toilets to scrub. The lives we see on tv are just lives on a stage, not the reality. We need to be grateful for our simple lives.

This past Monday I got a call from DaVita in Grapevine. They wanted to come over and do an inspection on the house to see if it would be viable for home dialysis. She came over the next afternoon and when she was leaving asked if I was ready to start this coming Monday for training on NxStage. It floored me because I wasn't expecting it until the end of August. What a surprise, a good surprise. I said goodbye to all of my friends at the center in Plano this morning.

I'm not sure why this was advanced up a month, but it will be interesting to see why down the road. Its kind of in wonderment. I'm anxious to see the Lord's purpose in all of this.

On another bright note, Steve got paid today from the contractor he's been doing work for.

Saturday afternoon

This has been a different week for me. I went out Tuesday to the DaVita in Grapevine to meet with the nurses there who are going to train me to do dialysis at home. It looks like it'll start end of August and I'll probably start at home in October. I'm so thrilled. It will give more energy and the ability to have a bit more of a life.

I've spent this week down on my knees. When we had the tile in our kitchen and family room installed, (I'm too embarrassed to say how long ago), anyway, the installer didn't get the grout out of the pits in the tile (its supposed to look like travertine). In spite of mopping and scrubbing, nothing would bring it out. So this week, I've tried using a wire brush and a can opener (the kind you'd use to open pop bottles or canned milk). Anyway, I've made huge progress. I've got about half of it done and hope to have it done by the end of this week. It looks soooo much better.

Gotta go, off to the temple. Funny story. When I worked as the secretary, I'd asked for a color printer. Didn't happen. So when I went in Thursday morning to volunteer, it came out he'd bought one for his office. I gave him a call and teased him. He said everyone had been told not to tell me. So much for secrecy.

A House Full of Blessings

I'm sitting here watching my daughter and one of her friends sound asleep. The house is full of her friends. They got in this morning around 4 from San Antonio. My daughter got here a week ago, some of her friends got here and on Wednesday and the remainder on Thursday. They spent Thursday doing things in our area and left on Friday to San Antonio. They leave today. When I got up to eat breakfast this morning, I found a corner in the back of the house to eat.

Going to Sacrament this morning and then back home to see them off.

Daughter's Home!

My daughter came in from Utah last night. She drove all the way here by herself (and her dog). She got in about 2:00 early this morning. She'll be here for about a week and a half. I love it when she's around.

My son came over for a while this afternoon to visit with her as well. We're having a family dinner tomorrow night with everyone here.

The heat has been oppressive this week. Even the dogs aren't wanting to go outside.

Dialysis went well last week, my access site is progressing well. We are starting next week with the blunt needles and I start poking myself again. Fingers crossed that we can get this going so I can get my training over with and my NXStage set up at home.

Neal Maxwell

I'm sitting here as I type listening to a talk by Neal Maxwell from 1974. I am so greatful for technology. I loved him as an apostle and his messages and instruction have always brought me great comfort. Now listening to his voice, I feel such joy.

Dialysis went well today. I came home, walked the dogs,did some cleaning, and went through papers.

Joe Matheney and Darrell Morie were here today and mowed my front yard. I am so greatful for their service and proud of them as young men. This new generation coming forth gives me such hope.

Gratitude

I wanted to take a moment and express my gratitude to those silent angels who have been such a blessing to me in my life. The quiet acts of kindness shown to me and for the many things that have been done to make my life easier. Thank you.

Hello Again

Wow . . . I know its been a while since I wrote last.

Saw the doctor today and I'm having surgery the end of the month for cataract removal. I feel so very old.

We've been doing a lot of freecycling this month. We had posted old magazines and one of the ladies from church turned out responding to the posting and got them.

I had a lady come by today to pick up one of the plants I posted. I like the site.

Went to Dave Ramsey's financial peace university week 3 last night.

Not much else. More later.

Success!!

I did it! I managed to stick both of my needles in this morning at dialysis. I didn't even get queasy. I came home, ate, walked the dogs, and . .. don't yell at me Jeanette - I mowed the yard. With all the rain it had gotten up just too high.
Fortunately, with all the garden beds its not near as bad as it used to be.