Hello, I just got a call from my dads nephrologist last week that he is in stage 5 kidney failure he is 59 years old. Doc. wants him to get a fistula put in in th next couple of weeks. his GFR is 15 Creatanine is 142 I have three other sisters, I am 37yrs old and have a twin...my younger sisters are twins as well they are 22 yrs old. there is always one person in the family that is the incharge, and I have always been this person. i am married and have two children. I feel so scared. I calm my anxiety by getting information, as much information as I can. I called the Kidney foundation and they sent me a great packet. My dad has been unemployed since feb. 2010 and unemployment sent him to school, he was so happy and excited but now I don't think he's going to be able to continue, it stresses him out alot...but his unemployment check depends on his attending school. He did apply for charity care at a great hospital and was approved, we've confirmed they cover the fistula and dialysis, my dad seeems like in denial somehow, when we had a family meeting and showed him his results, he was SHOCKED! He was a smoker for many years, and we have begged him to stop and i don't think he has taken this seriously until now. Now he had to stop cold turkey, and being that he is totally non verbal I have no idea how he feels, but how could one not feel scared :(. he has all of our support, and all we ask is that he takes care of HIMSELF, follow doctors orders, follow his diet and take his meds (which he stopped for a month without telling anybody) :( clueless!!!
he went for bloodwork during that time and perhaps that's why his results looked so bad. Dr. called in Kayexalate?(sp)? and told him to start his bp meds immediately which he did and his creatanine levels went from 146 to 142 so she wants to retest his blood again in a week. but still feels the fistula needs to be put in ASAP. My sisters are taking him to laser accupuncture this evening to help him with withdrawl symptoms from smoking. He was actually born with Kidney problems but I know his lifestyle hasn't helped at all. I'm glad I found this website. I think his wake up call has arrived and we are all so confused and scared but keeping it together for now. I have no idea what to expect and that's so scary. thanks for letting me vent
