Christmas Present- F-nish Th-s B—k
About
Since the dialysis non drama is over, I figured I'd change this to an anything or whatever blog. Could still be dialysis related,... or notmy old blog, from 2005ish to 2008
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About
Since the dialysis non drama is over, I figured I'd change this to an anything or whatever blog. Could still be dialysis related,... or notmy old blog, from 2005ish to 2008
Following
Christmas Present- F-nish Th-s B—k
My new cane. It is a bit bigger and much heavier than my old cane, but then, it was just an ID cane. This one is the real deal. The Orientation & Mobility instructor went over how to properly hold the cane, and the basics of how to use it. We walked up and down the street a bit. We’re going to keep doing this until I feel comfortable with it. I have discovered, though, that the way you are supposed to move your wrist to move the cane from side to side, makes my wrist snap.
I think this one is going to be a fun one… *G*
Last November my mother and I met with Emily, the renal social worker for our dialysis unit. She went over a few things that could help Mom and I fiscally and emotionally. One of the things she asked about was the possibility of a seeing-eye dog for me and how it might give me a little bit more independence.
I loved the idea, since I can’t really go out without someone with me. I even stopped walking around my neighborhood last spring, when I almost got hit by a car because I didn’t see it until it was almost right on top of me. I doubt the driver knew that I didn’t see them, and expected me to just get out of the way. I did, but only at the last second.
Emily called the CNIB in Nova Scotia, as they are who distributes the dogs and they told her that I needed what they called, “aggressive cane training” before I could be paired with a dog. That was fine with me, since, even though I do have a cane, I was only given about five minutes of training with it when I was seventeen. I never use it, mostly because I don’t really know how.
So, I got a call back from the trainer that’s here on the Island, and he can start training me on Tuesday. I’m so excited, and a bit nervous. I’m hoping this guy isn’t too drill sargenty, cuz I don’t think I’ll get along well with him, plus I’m always nervous when meeting new people on my own. As nervous as I am, I really can’t wait to begin. The cane training alone will give me more independence than I’ve had in a long time.
I’ll let you know how this goes
In case you’re wondering, part one is my last post, about the letter.
On Friday, I talked to a friend of mine in dialysis, who’s been on dialysis as long as me, and has had two kidney transplants. It turns out that he received a letter as well, exactly the same as the one I received, so I’m not the only one that the transplant team is screwing with.
So, on Monday, my mother called the nurse who sent the letter to make an appointment for the ultrasound, and complain (I love my mom. She does all the dirty work for me *L*) about the letter and the fact that we’ll be on hold on the transplant list until the ultrasound is done. She tried to soften it up, saying that we were just on hold, and not off the list, but there really isn’t a difference. If a kidney should (by some miracle) come up that is a match for me, I’m still not going to get it.
Anyway, this nurse explained to my mother that she already sent a requisition for the ultrasound to the radiology department at the hospital, and it’s up to them to call me with an appointment. That kind of tells me that they could call anytime between tomorrow and judgment day. I know that for some people, judgment day is next December, but still, it’s too long to be off the transplant list.
I’ll keep you updated..
..although I’m not overly impressed by it.
It says:
Hi Erica!!!
I was talking in Rounds with the QEII Kidney Transplant Coordinator today and they are requesting an abdominal ultrasound be completed to see if there is enough room to place another transplanted kidney. In the meantime, they have asked that your status be put on HOLD until this is completed and reviewed by the QEII Transplant team
The purpose of this letter is just to keep you informed and we hope that this is completed in a timely manner for you so we can get you back on the waitlist!!!
In the meantime, if you have any questions, just give me a call!!!
I’ve redacted the nurse’s name, as I know it didn’t come directly from her, plus, the punctuation is hers.
This is just yet another attempt to get me off the transplant list. I’m getting sick of it. I’ve jumped through all their hoops, so they’re constructing new ones. I’ve even had nurses in the dialysis unit try to talk me out of getting a live donor. My own nephrologist, who is going to be called, has told me that there is no need to remove the two kidneys I have, unless they were causing trouble which they are not. This thing about room is a big load of bullshit. If they’re worried about room, they can remove one of the transplanted kidneys during transplant.
I’m sick of this on the list and off the list bullshit. It’s my life they’re fucking with, and it has to stop.
