| Author | Subject: newly weds and dialyis |
| Sam Nichols | Posted At 20:59:45 04/23/2002 Wow- where to start. My husband and I have been married less than two years. He has been diabteic since a child and has kidney failure. We were told that he can be expected to go onto dialysis anywhere from 6 months to 18 months- maybe even longer than that- if blood pressure is kept low and diet is good...We don't know a thing about it. I want to know can we travel? Have children and live a semi-normal life? I am being very upbeat about this for his sake, but I have alot of questions and we are scared. He is 40 and I am 32. Is it not a good idea to even think of children? Traveling? Just need some feed back..thanks sam |
| Beth Witten | Re: newly weds and dialyis (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 17:16:20 05/15/2002 Now is the time to learn all you and your husband can about kidney disease and treatment options, including how to prolong kidney function. Sometimes kidney failure can be delayed longer than expected. Other times kidneys get worse faster than anticipated. If there are classes in your area for people with kidney disease, I'd suggest that you attend one of these. Some groups that offer classes include: * Missouri Kidney Program Patient Education Program www.muhealth.org/~mokpwww/docs/Classes.htm * National Kidney Foundation (see People Like Us, Live) www.kidney.org/patients/live.cfm (several affiliates) * Kidney Information Support System (Seattle, WA area) * American Association of Kidney Patients Kidney Care: Finding Your Strength www.aakp.org/Kidney%20Care.htm * Baxter Stay In Touch and Kidney Directions www.kidneydirections.com/us/eng.htm As an alternative, there are several web based education efforts for people with kidney disease. Life Options has a new interactive educational program called Kidney School (www.kidneyschool.org) that includes several 20 minute interactive modules on topics related to kidney disease. You will receive a certificate and a personalized action plan on completion of a module. A module on sexuality is planned. In the meantime, NKF has a brochure entitled "Sexuality and Chronic Kidney Disease" in the A-Z Guide (under S) on its web site at www.kidney.org. Be sure to ask your husband's nephrologist any questions you or your husband may have about sexuality. He/She may refer your husband to a urologist to check for any problems that could hamper your becoming pregnant. Remember, people with kidney disease can live full and active lives. Good luck! |
| Diane | Re: newly weds and dialyis (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 14:44:21 04/25/2003 If he truly loves you he will do whatever is best for you whether that means child or not. I married a really swell guy, he is devoted to me and my kidney - or rather future transplant. It is his as well as mine! |
| Laurie | Re: newly weds and dialyis (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 21:22:53 08/30/2003 HI.. There is a book out called "Dialysis,the Unexpected Journey.. The guy who wrote this book is on dialysis for over 30 years ..has two kids.. went to school and work and did hemo-dialysis at home.. he went on trips/etc. He lived long enough to see his grandchildren grow up and his kids married.. So you see.. there is hope! Laurie |
| Laurie | Re: newly weds and dialyis (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 21:23:00 08/30/2003 HI.. There is a book out called "Dialysis,the Unexpected Journey.. The guy who wrote this book is on dialysis for over 30 years ..has two kids.. went to school and work and did hemo-dialysis at home.. he went on trips/etc. He lived long enough to see his grandchildren grow up and his kids married.. So you see.. there is hope! Laurie |
| Sarita | Re: I need some support and information (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 02:01:30 09/18/2003 My husband of a little more than one year is in end stage kidney failure. He has been having a really hard time and has been in denial until this week. How do we both get support to make it from today to what ever is next? Is there someplace online that we can chat or vent? He has an excellent doctor so the medical part is not the issue for us. Thanks for your insights |
| Beth Witten | Re: newly weds and dialyis (Currently 0 replies) Posted At 23:49:43 09/19/2003 As you know, it takes time and help to learn how to cope with a chronic illness like kidney disease. In some areas there are patient and/or family support groups or patient mentors to help patients and their families cope. There are several online support groups. The one that is most active is called Dialysis_Support. This group has existed since 1995 and has almost 500 members. You can find it on Yahoo at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/dialysis_support/. You may also be interested in joining one of the patient/family organizations. Two of these include: * Patient and Family Council of the National Kidney Foundation (free membership) http://www.kidney.org/patients/pfcindex.cfm * American Association of Kidney Patients (dues) http://www.aakp.org. Look at the module on coping on Kidney School at www.kidneyschool.org and any of the other topics posted there. Another resource that might help you and your husband is "New Life, New Hope: A Booklet for Families and Friends of Renal Patients" at http://www.lifeoptions.org/pdfs/nlnhbook.pdf. Finally, if you haven't already done so, talk with the social worker at your husband's clinic. He/she should be able to help you and your husband cope or refer you to a counselor who knows about coping with chronic illness. Also, ask to meet another patient and/or family member that you can talk with to learn what helped them cope. Good luck! |