Some days I have to check for breathing there is so little activity in Kittylandia! Another clue: a kitty (Dougy) is facing a different direction from one photo to the next. You’re welcome! I’m glad I can share these Helpful Hints For Cat People™!
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We tried two needles at dialysis yesterday. We had been using one catheter and one needle or both catheters in this dialysis fistula trial period. It’s still too soon to go full blast (note hematoma under tape on my arm), but the next thing is applying adequate pressure to the needle wounds to avoid leakage under the bandages or worse. Not to worry! I know how to clean blood stains out of clothes!
Two needles, Mr. Doug?! YIKES! This kitty hates needles. You must be much more tolerant to the vampires than me. Tee hee hee.
Actually, they don’t hurt when the nurse pouts them into my fistula. On the other hand, I can’t watch when she does it. LOL1
How are you, Doug ?
Michel
I’m doing well, Michel! I hope you are doing well, too. It does take a bit of adjustment when on dialysis, mainly working out times to do things like travel or other activities.l
Sorry for this bleeding, Doug .I hope all went well after this incident But this is tiring and worrisome; I hope next time it will be better ..
Michel
My session yesterday went without incident, Michel. Sometimes the best plan is to use clamps instead of finger pressure. My new fistula is a bit off to one side where holding pressure with fingers is awkward. I'[ve only had it used a handful of times, so getting used to the new normal is still in progress. It is worrisome to have bleed outs! In this one instance, catheters are a better thing to have for dialysis, though they also are more tedious to deal with in most other instances.
At his time for your dialysis , needles are used ?
Yes, it seems like my fistula is mature enough for regular use.
For the dialysis I have two needles in the arm as you know, Doug . And four hours later at the end of dialysis, nurses or me have to press to help to stop the blood .
Unfortunately I have complication. I have to meet a surgeon ( next Monday) to take off the prostate and I am waiting for this surgery ( date ? ) . In waiting for I have a urinary catheter since November 7. Not fun!
I wish you courage , Doug.
In friendship
Michel
My father had the urinary catheter, and it was difficult for him to deal with because he was blind (macular degeneration…). His main problem wasn’t wearing it, but managing infection control. He had at least three hospitalizations for bladder infections.
The infection is the danger. I clean twice a day with an antiseptic.
Yes. Best wishes for always avoiding infections, too, Michel!
This looks painful, Doug. Wishing you speedy healing!
It’s less painful than one might imagine. There is just a light prick. Once buttonholes are created (they are entry points that form a permanent path to the fistula), there is even less discomfort unless the nurse misses the pathway and tries to force the needle in. Even then, the sensation is more pressure than pain.
You must be an expert at removing blood stains by now,
That I am! Good thing because these bleed outs can happen any time. Some are worse than others, of course. One needs to be aware of the possibility at all times because it isn’t impossible a person can bleed out in one’s sleep, with potentially fatal results!
Hoping everything gets smoothed out soon with the new fistula, Doug. The kitties do look like their sleep is very sound today!
It’s just a matter of maturation (complete healing from the initial surgery creating it…), then they are pretty routine to maintain. (Mostly avoiding infections and not using the arm for blood pressure checks or needles for any reason other than the dialysis needles…)
It sucks that you have to go through that. At least you have sleeping kitties to distract you.
I hope the leaking stops Doug, I’m glad you know what to do, be well! 😎
It’s a matter of holding the access holes till the blood coagulates and prevents blood flowing from them. That’s a ten minute process, if you hold the right place. I call the plugs “scablings”, because it sounds funny and cute, and I can visualize these “scablings” doing their big job.
Wow, ten minutes is a long time to keep pressure on. I see several of those Davita Dialasis places around Vegas. I can’t spell today…
Yes, Davita is a major source of private dialysis care. I’ve been to two of their sites, one in Denver, and another in Scottsbluff, Nebraska. While they give competent care, they are set up for sixteen people a shift (if I recall the number of seats…), the one attached to my local general hospital is set up for six people at a time (three of us on my “shift”), with three nurses to take care of the patients. The small number of patients means they are able to deal more efficaciously with issues that arise during the treatment. That is to say, if you are having cramps, you don’t have to wait for so long to get relief.
Wow, I would prefer the six chair unit Doug.Sixteen seems a bit too many.
I felt the Davita people were excellent but responsible for too many patients at a time.
I see, well I bet that’s a bone of contention with management and staff…
Me, too. Too often too few people are expected to do the work to many. What do you bet the benefits are “satisfaction of helping others and occasional praise”?
This depends on the person. Companies are making many positions part time to offset their own costs, many can’t sit on that. There’s never enough praise. I remember not getting any nice comments like that from employers over the years and that’s BS.
I know what you say. I’ve had decent bosses and some that were total idiots, but praise was always slight, though I worked hard at doing a good job. I got to the place where I worked for my own satisfaction of doing the best [possible work. As far as pay…!
OUCH! Hope all is better soon…..my thoughts are with you….chuq
These are typical adjustment issues for dialysis patients starting use of a new fistula. The placement of the new one is a little off center, making applying pressure a bit of a trick I need to learn. I’ve had far worse bleed outs. The biggest problem with bleed outs is you don’t notice them until you feel wetness…! Or happen to look down at the fistula. I just happened to look down at the right time. There is a blue pad that’s barely seen in the photo that is put under one’s arm to catch blood. In this instance, the blood spilled over the edge. I don’t freak out at the sight of blood, fortunately!
I cannot imagine having to cope…you are doing a fine job….chuq
It’s easier than you k=might imagine. The process is relatively painless – you can get muscle cramps that are extremely uncomfortable, but they – the nurses – introduce saline solution into the flow, and that solves the problem,.Other people have issues with headaches and nausea, but I’ve never had these problems.
I just hope all goes well….chuq
It will! I learned a lot about them over the years.
hugs to you we hope the hematoma disappears soon…. sleep time is the best time …specially with this siberian temperatures outside… neyound 3 today… aaah…
It’s healing well! Thanks!
Hugs and Love from us too dear Doug, get well soon and stay in warm… nia
I’m on dialysis for life, but am in reasonably good health for the condition I’m in! The main thing is I am a pretty good patient when I need be, and have a positive attitude. Thanks!
Be well and strong always dear Doug, Have a nice day, Love, nia
Thanks! You, too!