Leaks . . .

Got up a little late yesterday but got my SAK started so I could dialysis last night.

I was getting Steve's lunch ready for him to take to work when I realized Sunday on the way home from taking Kristin to the airport the little yellow light had come on letting me know I was low on gas.  Since Steve gets off too late to put gas in the car I drove him to McKinney for work.  Only problem was, I had a 3:00 hair appointment with my Heidi.  I tried to call her and the number I had for her didn't work.  I left her a note on the door and took off to take him to work.  My hair is looking a little shaggy so I was disappointed.  She can't see me again this week; so I'll just have to make it work for now.

I went visit teaching last night and got to visit my favorite friend, Karen, with another one of my favorite friend's.  Rosilyn brought her really small Yorkie with her and Karen just fell in love with Tas the minute we walked in the door.  She'd like another dog but her husband says no; much to her disappointment.

I was thinking (first mistake) I'd start my treatment when I got home.  I got home and the alarm on the PureFlow was sounding off and I was frustrated.  "What now?"  I had been sure to flush my lines earlier to make sure there would be no problem.  When I got to the PureFlow and opened the door I saw dialysate floating around the SAK and not in it.  I checked my connections and they were secure so it was the SAK that failed.  Rushed back to the supply room and picked up two hanging bag boxes and set the machine up with bags.

Anyway, since all of this was delayed Steve had to wait an hour after he got off work for me to come.  He was so cool about it.  He sat in one of the motorized carts at the store, drank a soda, and read his book.  When we got home he helped me get the fluid out of the PureFlow.  Finally got to bed around 2 this morning.

Hard to Believe - Its September!

I found a new blog today I've not visited before.  http://www.beinglds.blogspot.com/.  They're celebrating family this month and are having tons of give aways.  Its a neat site and I've included their button on my site.  They are encouraginig everyone to put the button on their site to celebrate family. 

After an awfully hot summer, its so nice to have a little relief in some cooler weather.  We're still waiting to hear back from Bank of America on our loan modification.  We submitted paperwork this time back in February and supposedly we have gone through underwriting and are waiting on a "packet".  You just sometimes want to give up, but I keep holding out to hear something.  For the time being, our needs are met.  We are living tight, but still find joy in our days.

The past month has been a rough one on dialysis.  Supply problems.  Today went well though.  I get a delivery tomorrow of new supplies.  Hopefully no problems this time around.  Its frustrating.  I spent alot of time on the phone with technical support this month.

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.