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[daisymay]

Hi. I read about WellSpouse in a waiting room at The University of Iowa hospital. My husband is only 52 years old, but 37 years on dialysis has aged him beyond his years. He has rejected 5 kidney transplants and almost didn't survive the last one, so will never have another. Dialysis is saving his life, but taking a toll. Long-term dialysis and medications have left him with coronary artery disease (& 3 stents in his heart), hemoragic gastritis (& 6 stomach bleeds so far. Doc says each one from now on has a 50% chance of killing him), and severe arthritis. His joints are turning to mush. He is in pain and has neuropathy in fingers and toes. His shoulder has been replaced and other joints will need to be as well. The biggest issue lately has been his eyes. He is currently blind due to a serious cataract in one eye and a horrible infection in the other. The infection has ruined the cornea beyond repair, but we are still putting in eye drops every 2 hours around the clock to try to save the eye. Once the infection is cured, the cataract in the other eye can be fixed, and later he can have a cornea transplant in the infection eye. We have been waking up every two hours every night for the past 4 weeks and I am exhausted.

[Dorothy Saunders]

Welcome, Daisymay. Come sit and put your feet up.

Of course you're exhausted. I didn't know that a person could use dialysis for that long. What a marathon the two of you are in.

We'd love to hear more about YOU. Do you have a favorite hobby which you squeeze in between your caregiving tasks? Do you ever have an entire day to yourself? IS your IS (ill spouse) appreciative of all your efforts on his behalf?

This is a warm haven where people understand your struggles and are in your corner. Welcome to a safe place.

[tundra lodger]

Welcome daisymay,

While I'm sad you've need of this place, I'm glad you found our little online oasis. May you find the support and friendship you seek among us.

You have been a WS for a VERY long time and could, no doubt, teach us a few things!!! But for right now, you ARE exhausted...no one could be awake every two hours for very long without losing whatever grasp they still have on sanity. Such a critical situation as preserving sight by an intervention that likely turns one into a screaming meemie in short order. How I wish I could suggest a better way, or simply, that we could all take shifts with you. You so deserve a long rest!

You have so much on your plate. I hope you can find a way to catch a break from the constant worry and caregiving and take care of yourself. (We tend to get a bit 'preachy' about that here.) For now, know that you have joined a family who 'gets' this enormous task, and is here to support you.

Again, welcome.

*bigolehugz*
tl

[SunshineH]

Welcome daisymae. I think you will fit right in here. A number of people know what you are dealing with. However, I don't think I would have been able to get up every 2 hours for eye drops. That is amazing. I hope at least you sleep whenever you can. (((hugs)))

[LarryB]

(((Daisymay))) - put your feet up and sit with us a while. You have had a long hard road. I am glad you found us. Now it is time to care for YOU TOO!