Dialysis

2 days after meeting with the dialysis nurse, dad was in surgery having the peritoneal site (catheter) put in. After they had flooded his body with fluids from IV's in the last month (literally too much that his body couldnt handle it all), he was finally "able and ready" to start to help his kidneys do the work. His potassium was constantly spiking to deathly measures, and the creatinine was still extremely high despite following strict dietary and physical regimes. His kidney function was anywhere between a 6 & 8, time for dialysis.

This was all happening so fast. Less than 2 months prior we were told he wouldn't need dialysis for 9-12 months, there was lots of time to figure out what was the right plan. It seemed too quick to have to make this decision - but - it would only be a temporary solution. Just to get him well enough for a transplant. Saying this, with dads quick decline - the transplant was put on hold for the time being. The doctors still didn't understand why or how he got this bad so fast, neither did we, but in the end, we all wanted my dad to feel better.

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is a treatment that uses the lining of your abdomen (belly area), called your peritoneum, and a cleaning solution called dialysate to clean your blood. Dialysate absorbs waste and fluid from your blood, using your peritoneum as a filter. During peritoneal dialysis, a cleansing fluid (dialysate) is circulated through a tube (catheter) inside part of your abdominal cavity (peritoneal cavity). The dialysate absorbs waste products from blood vessels in your abdominal lining (peritoneum) and then is drawn back out of your body and discarded.

Surgery went well - site looks great. Dad is released the following day, but why are they not starting dialysis yet?

A few things that were NOT discussed or explained from a doctor or what was provided in documentation he was given was:

*Peritoneal dialysis cannot be started right away. It will be quite a few weeks before the site can be accessed and safe to start.

*Peritoneal dialysis must be gradually introduced to the body over weeks/months before you can fully utilize at home dialysis. In a non-emergency patient, a training course is taken over several weeks prior to the site being put in.

*Pertioneal dialysis must be done several times a day (4-5 or more). Although this type of dialysis is "marketed" as the easiest to travel with and go back to "normal life", there are many restrictions not outlined in any booklet.

Just when you think you have researched as much as you can to make the best life decision, there was a list of things never explained. Great - more obsticals. I'm coming to the next appointment for sure! Dialysis clinic will be scheduled for next week. I want to know everything....the good, the bad, and the ugly.