ibdsupport

So we finally got here after what feels like years of reaching this point in time. Much apprehension, fear, trepidation came to fruition this week with our four days of intensive training in how to do peritoneal dialysis. I’m very happy to report that the week went well and that we both quickly picked up the routine involved. Without going into detail, as it really is quite a complicated process, we discovered that the key to good health is a spotless environment for the dialysis exchanges. As soon as Dave removes the cap of his dialysis tube he is at risk of infection which = peritonitis. We’ve turned our spare bedroom into a dialysis room where Dave does his 4 daily exchanges and where we keep all the supplies. It’s a dog free area! Once that cap is off, which happens eight times a day, Dave mustn’t so much as cough, sneeze, the door mustn’t open etc etc. If one of those things should happen or if he should happen to touch the end by accident, it’s straight to hospital which is 60 miles away!

Anyway, aside from that we’re both feeling hugely optimistic. Dialysis will clear all the toxins which have been building up in his body…best of all the potassium which had meant he had to stop drinking beer and wine. Just five minutes ago I watched him take his first gulp of beer in 18 months!

The nurses who trained us were absolutely wonderful and worth their weight in gold. Nothing was too much trouble and all the way through they were so encouraging and supportive. I felt really choked when we left on Thursday afternoon as we’d become very attached to them.

So life goes on, with a few changes, all of which I know we can cope with!