Joe’s finally -- doing Dialysis 


 

Joe finally succumbed to his kidney failure problems last Wed the 16th 2006. You may recall he has been operating on only 10% function of his kidneys and Dr.'s were amazed he even had lasted this long. Joe had been extremely reticent to have the operation they would need to do because of all the tubes protruding from his body and so hesitated as long as he was able. Well, his body was unable to wait any longer.

He had been having bad headaches regularly for about two weeks and basically just lacking in the strength even to read his bible as he put it. He took his meds one evening and promptly heaved them up. Then the next morning he could not keep his breakfast down, so the nurses decided to get him to the hospital immediately.

I was finally contacted by the hospital Thursday AM with a message that Joe wanted to let me know he was in the hospital and for me to visit him there. After work at 3 p.m. I left to see him. He already had the surgery done to place the stunt in his chest, and was a bloody mess. They had done 2 hours Dialysis the first day Wednesday, and then another 2-1/2 the following day as well as given him some blood, as he was extremely anemic.

I had been trying (unsuccessfully) to get Joe to do the Dialysis for some time and had basically told him to do it two days before this happened. Dixie the caring neighbor lady and Good Samaritan also had pleaded with Joe to begin the process. She visits Joe on Wednesdays and plays scrabble and prays with him. Joe needs the comfort of normal people’s visits as he puts it to help keep him feeling a little saner. Geez, I wonder if that included me? :D

Joe called me this Tuesday morning to inform me that he did not do as well with the 3rd dialysis on Monday and after some food lost it and felt noxious afterwards. They explained that often happens to some patients and will improve over time. He is scheduled to go in for Dialysis on Mon, Wed, and Fri about 4 hours each time. Joe is excited at least he says of the prospect of getting away from the real crazy’s for a while.

Mr. Terry from the Oregon State Hospital (OSH) stayed with Joe all day the first day and a half then was relieved by Michelle about 11 p.m. the next day, one of Joe’s caseworkers. I left a couple hours after she showed up as I had been there for eight hours already and totally getting burned out. Michelle is one of the rare and very special and dedicated case workers that OSH has, and Joe is very lucky to have her by his side rooting him on and doing what she can to get Joe on outings and watching over him. She goes way beyond the call of duty and I suspect has even crossed the line a time or two to help Joe where the powers-to-be are none to happy.

Well that’s what’s new with Joe, and I am still trying to find some full-time work of any capacity. Hope all is well with you all. Be happy – Dave

PS: I will be unable to write as often in my blog because I cannot afford the Internet connection any longer until I find more permanent work. I have to write it up now and then take my laptop into work and re-connect there to upload to the net.


Joe and his case worker Michelle


Joe's site of Dialysis

 

Posted: Tue - August 22, 2006 at 06:30 PM          

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