Janet???

[Janet]

I'm here....

I'm sorry Lynne to make you worry. I'm just exhausted when the training is over. I have to come home and get done what needs done.....and I really just haven't felt like talking. We didn't have training on Tuesday, but I spent most of the day...with my friend Linda, her daughter was worried about her being alone and Linda needed me.

I'll try to give you a call over the weekend. Right now....I'm just tired....down....and having a pity party for myself.

[Marilyn]

Oh, Janet, so sorry you are having to go through all of this. Hopefully you will get through the training and get into more of a routine.

Is Linda your friend you had lost contact with who was living with her daughter? If so, I remember how much you were missing contact with her.

[lynne b]

Janet, I know you have been really busy, you have had alot to take in this week on top of worrying about Linda. I was getting worried about you but seeing you post here makes me feel better. You call whenever you feel like it, just don't forget i have to go back to work on Mon.
I hope everything is going good with your mom, i am praying for her & you...Lynne

[Janet]

Thanks all. We are getting a break over the weekend. We will resume training and dialysis on Monday, skip Tuesday, train Wednesday and Thursday. We are shooting for Thursday to bring the dialysis machine home on Thursday.

When we went to eat lunch today.....Mom finally broke down and cried so hard. Broke my heart to see her like that. She had a good cry and now is focusing on what needs to be done. Please keep her in your prayers.....there is so much to do to fend off infection...it's mind boggling at times.

Yes Marilyn, Linda has been my best friend for over 30 years. I love her dearly. Her daughter was a little worried about leaving for the whole day... and Linda wanted me.

[Gina]

Oh Janet I feel for you. I pray that your mom will adapt to the process and that God will give you the strenght to learn what is needed. I know what your going through, for my brother was on dialysis so many years ago. Of course everything is improved now a days.

[Janet]

It really is a lot to learn. Mom comes from the age that you do not throw anything away. Well, if she drops something or touches something she shouldn't while connecting the tubing...she has to throw it away. It really drives her crazy....."such waste" she says. If she contaminates any of the tubing, connectors..etc...she can get an infection...which could be very dangerous. So far...no else is stepping up to help.

[gja1000]

Janet, I'm so sorry that you are going through this. It IS alot to learn and it IS overwhelming. It will be OK once you get through the training process, but it is just so stressful, I completely understand. Sometimes I get overwhelmed with Gary's medical needs and I am a nurse, for crying out loud.

I promise though, it will get better - the feeling of being overwhelmed. You will look back and think that it is OK, but that will take some time.

I'm very glad that she can do the home dialysis so that she doesn't have to spend hours at the dialysis center every week. Of course, if she were doing that, then you wouldn't have to be learning all of this.

Just take one day at a time - or one hour at a time and keep thinking that it will be OK, and that you both CAN do this. It will get easier and easier, I just know it!