Shower finally fixed Monday. I’d recommend the plumbing service, but I think I should have some non-emergency work done with them before naming them.
Dialysis wiped me out today. I felt fatigue on the levels I felt pre-dialysis. So I think I can now answer more definitely the question that many have asked me, “Do you feel better since you started dialysis?” NO, I don’t. Dialysis still only mimics 15% kidney function, and being subject to eight hours of blood cleaning can have some side effects.
Now, I can’t really afford to miss a day or two from work every week. It would be nice if I could discuss all of this with my doctor, but I have a feeling I’d just be told to wait until the doctor does his rounds, and one never knows when that’s going to be. Anyway, I don’t mean to write about this. I’m just saying that dialysis sucks, and I don’t expect that to change. Honestly, I don’t have ANY patience for anyone who tries to tell me why dialysis doesn’t have to suck.
I can think of two ways to minimize how much dialysis sucks.
1. Having a meaningful existence the other 141 hours of the week not spent at dialysis.
2. Getting a kidney transplant.
bullcitydave 
I’m not going to tell you dialysis doesn’t suck. I don’t have a chronic condition, and the medical issues I do deal with are, theoretically and by definition, acute, and it sucks. I can’t imagine dealing with a chronic condition. And although I don’t believe your doctor would be the best person to give helpful advice (that not being their department), I do think he/she would be able to get you to the right person. They owe you that. Demand it. What is the process for getting on a kidney list? Are you on it? Do you have to do a certain amount of dialysis first?
Sorry, I got in problem-solving mode. I really just meant to say, I believe when you say it sucks, and I’m sorry.
@Valerie – I’ve been on the list since February 2008 when my kidney function took a sudden nosedive. So it’s good I got a year-and-a-half under my belt before even starting dialysis. The average wait for a cadaver kidney for my bloodtype is 6-7 years. No dialysis requirement. Obviously if I find a living donor, my wait would be much less. (I may have a lead on that, but it’s best not to talk about it).
As much as I vent, I do know that what I am dealing with doesn’t compare with what you and your family have to deal with. I’m not one to do such comparisons (lest I really feel lousy) but I do know I’m not the only one going through sucky stuff. 🙂 Thanks for the comment.