For My Mother

[Janet]

Thanks ladies. The news is a little of both...good and bad. Her hemoglobin is good. She hasn't had to have blood added since before she came home from Florida and that was in April. But....her kidney function is now down to 12%...not good. We go Sept. 4th to talk with the surgeon that will be putting in the fistula in her arm for dialysis. Right now all the numbers say she should be on dialysis, but so far no outward signs. Once we see the surgeon on the 4th he'll make an appt. for her within the month. If she should happen to need dialysis before fistula is ready, (it can't be used right after being implanted) then she'll be given dialysis through the neck. The is really not good for her and with her being 85 years young.

She's been in denial and would not listen to any of us, but now we are telling her she has no choice if she wants to live. Not sure how I'm going to handle all this. I know she will have trouble understanding out to do it all if she is able to do dialysis at home. If not, she will have to be taken to Lafayette to have it done unless we can have a visiting nurse come to her house to help her with it. So much to do, learn and think about. It's all so mind boggleing.

[Gina]

Aww sorry to hear that your mom needs to go on dialysis. I had a brother who had kidney disease and had a fistual put into his arm. Not fun at all, but I am sure they have advanced. I am going back over 30 something years ago with my brother.

I wish her the best and prayers are with you both..

[Janet]

Her kidney Dr. said that they will put the fistula in her arm and she can most likely go home the same day AND that they don't even knock them out ALL the way. I just can't see this. My mother will want to be put out. When he said that, she gave me the most scared awful look. Guess we'll learn more when we visit the surgeon.

I want my brothers to start learning more about this and I've told them. I need to help Ricky research grants so he can go on to school after he graduates and it's very time consuming. I'm so afraid I won't be able to handle it all and there is no way I can MAKE my brothers do anything. I have a feeling they are going to leave it all up to me.

[2tiredmom]

Originally Posted by Janet

Her kidney Dr. said that they will put the fistula in her arm and she can most likely go home the same day AND that they don't even knock them out ALL the way. I just can't see this. My mother will want to be put out. When he said that, she gave me the most scared awful look. Guess we'll learn more when we visit the surgeon.

I want my brothers to start learning more about this and I've told them. I need to help Ricky research grants so he can go on to school after he graduates and it's very time consuming. I'm so afraid I won't be able to handle it all and there is no way I can MAKE my brothers do anything. I have a feeling they are going to leave it all up to me.

Janet,

I know what you mean when it comes to brothers. They will help with the outside stuff but the health issues are something totally different. They think
it's the girls responsiblity. Been there. Hope it works out with your mom.
She's in my prayers too. Hang in there on the grant stuff. You and Ricky can do it.
Have you talked to his school counselor? I know the ones up here sure have
helped Dustin and now Jennifer.

[Janet]

Yes we have talked with her, but of course we have to do all the work. Ricky is a procrastinator and I just feel so bogged down right now. Maybe his dad will help...we'll see.

[Forgivenmom5]

Janet I know when they put my port in and did the biopsy they said I wasn't out all they way but I don't remember anything until it was all over. they said I wasn't asleep by their terms which just means I wasn't out enough to slow breathing and body functions like they had to when I had the actual surgery.

[donna1990]

Janet, I am so sorry. All we can do is pray for you, and tell you that we are here for support.