A week later

So we've been home for just over a week. Thank goodness! That hospital "Bed" (recliner) was not fun at all.

Dustin's 2nd surgery to put his permanent PD catheter in went well. No hitches or anything. He felt pretty bad after it. We were set to be released the day after and the Dr. took FOREVER to get to us to put in the release order. We waited 2 hours for him. We were dying to get out of there. Finally when we could go, Dustin struggled to move. He didn't feel well at all. That kept up for the next couple days and Sunday/Monday he finally he started feeling better. We got home Wednesday night and by Tuesday he was driving himself to dialysis.

Things have been going relatively well. Dustin's dialysis appointments have been going decent. He's had a couple times that he's had a few problems with but no huge problems. Adjusting to the diet has been a pain. I go to the store and look at every single label for anything I buy. Everything in America is full of sodium!! Holy cow, it seems the boy can't eat anything, but in reality I just can't use much that's pre-packaged. Everything must be made by me. I can cook...I know this. The problem is, I don't like to cook and the earliest I get home from work is 6:15 (usually later). By time I get home get something started we won't be eating til 8:00!! I'm hungry at 6:30! What it comes down to is better planning on my behalf. I've realized I just have to make my mornings earlier and plan meals in the morning or the night before. Fish also suggested I take my days off and cook lots then freeze the meals. That's a good idea I'm going to have to try out. Of course, I must find recipes we like first. I have generally got on his diet. Sometimes I'll add salt to mine where he can't see. Shhhhh...don't tell. haha. Actually he wouldn't care. He'd tell me to do it. It's just easier for me to eat what he eats.

Anyway, our second biggest pain in the butt is adjusting the dogs to not sleeping with us. You'd think we were torturing the poor things! Pantala (the female) goes in the cage, very sadly, sits down accepts her fate. Not a peep from her. Pippin (the male) goes in the cage, very freaked out, and barks...and whines...and squeaks....and barks again. Then he scratches on the doors. All of which we can hear perfectly in our room. Pantala goes in without complaint. Why can't he!? He starts when we put him in...15-30 mins later he stops. He'll start again at about 3:00 a.m. Then again around 6:30. It's worse then a kid!! haha. Finally last night we transfered them to the garage. We can still hear him but it's much more muted. Hopefully he gets used to it because it really is kind of sad. He seriously freaks out...starts shaking and gets nervous. It makes me feel super bad.

Other then that, adjustments have been ok. I'm not sure Dustin is used to the idea of tubes coming out of him yet. He went to the Dr. Wednesday for his week after surgery check up and they took off the bandages and it was the first time he saw how long the tube out of his stomach was. I think it kind of bothered him. This whole time it's been all wrapped up under the tape so you really couldn't see it. I've never seen it all out (I had to work and couldn't go to the apt in Tucson) but from seeing the shape through the tape I'd guess it's at least 7 inches long if not more. He'll get used to it and maybe even learn to love it because it's that tube which will be keeping him alive.

You know, I've read of people hating dialysis. I get it. I don't do it, but I watch someone I love have to go through it. I get that you hate that you have to go, but how can you literally hate it? I love it. Seriously. How can I hate a technology that keeps my husband alive? I just really can't do it. Sure, it's not all peaches and cream going and sitting in a clinic for 4 hours, but I just don't see hating something that gives you life. Just doesn't make sense to me. So I just have to say it...I LOVE DIALYSIS!! What I hate is that Dustin's kidney is broken. That' what I hate.