Seanibu's Mom

[SeaniBu]

I don't think that I have kept you all updated with Mom, and I am sure most do not want to ask.

Mom is back at home. Although this is good news she is now on Kidney Dialysis. That is not such good news UNLESS she can get off of it. I am happy to see her back, and she is excited for me in new relationship. I hope she feels strength, for my girlfriend and I have talked about how when she was in China - not more than 4 years ago - she have many dreams she mary american man who look like me and have a American Chinese baby.

Mom's eyes light up for a second when she hears this. I hope this and other things will give her the strength to get off Dialysis so she can see if Jia Min and I stay together and have a beautiful grand-baby.

She said she did appreciate the kind thoughts and prayers most of you sent. Thank you from her and I. I am so glad her suffering is not as bad but wish she could just be healthy for awhile. It is great to have her home and Dad is finally starting to "calm" down. He has lost his Mom 2 years ago, His dad 1 year ago and now he worried for his wife. I feel so sad when I think of the pain he was going through.

Thanks again GS for your kind words.

Sean

 

[Dee4707]

Sean, sorry to hear about your mom. I'm glad she is home, that may help. I know how hard it is taking care of your mom. They deserve it though. I will keep your mom & dad and you in my thoughts and prayers.

Dee

 

[heyang]

I'm not sure what happened when, since I don't read all of the threads. I just want to reassure you that dialysis is not the worst thing.

My father was on hemodialysis at home. He suffered kidney failure before I can remember - I would guess by the time I was 3. He had treatments 3 times a week at home and we were fortunate that his employer IBM was very accommodating with his work hours. Dad used to help us with our homework while hooked up to the machine or we would watch TV with him.

Anyway, he was on dialysis until I was 18 1/2 (back in 1983). He had been on the donor list for years and one came through in March of 83. Unfortunately, his body did not react well to the transplant and he passed away the following July.

Anyway, my point is that it is possible to be on dialysis for a long time.

There will be lifestyle adjustments. We could only vacation out of town if there was a dialysis center in the area. He was also unable to go back to college to get his degree because of the time needed for dialysis and raising a family - otherwise, he would probably have gotten a PhD and been able to further advance his career at IBM. (I can only assume this since he won many awards from IBM for the work that the company was able to patent in laser technology and microchips.)

 

[SeaniBu]

Thank you for the words:yes:

Heyang - I think I may have met you dad, or at least someone similar to him at the Boulder / Gunbarrel location - they may conceder that Niwot too. Either way that is an encouraging story. I will be sure to pass on the sentiment of "still living a full life" to Mom.

My Nephew and I both offered to give a kidney( although I am adopted, I am AB negative), but it is now apparent as was when mentioned that the surgery to do so is far more dangerous - and would almost be certain death for her.

 

[Grgranny]

I haven't been reading much either. Sorry about your Mom but hope it all goes well now and she improves a lot. I'm assuming she is in her fifties or early sixties? I will pray for her. I wish all of you the best.

 

[iluvtodd]

Sean, I wish you and your mom all my best wishes. :yes:

 

[Blue Bead]

I'm so sorry to learn of you mother's medical issues and now her dialysis treatment. The one thing both she and you should remember is that dialysis is not the end of living a full life, despite all the stuff one needs to work around. My late husband was on both peritoneal and hemodialysis before his kindney transplant in early 1993. The transplant (from a cadaver) was a perfect match and lasted 12 years before it finally gave out. This put him back on dialysis again until his death 2 years later. During the entire time he maintained his employment. In addition to his work load (70 + hours per week) he was very active in three organizations. If want to discuss any of this further, please PM me.

Blue Bead

 

[sillylionlove]

Since I am rather new to this forum I didn't know about your mom's health problems. But I am glad to hear that things are getting better. A positive outlook and happiness in one's life always helps.

 

[Tonichelle]

I think I missed a lot this summer...

sorry to hear your mother is going through some rough times Sean... if you don't mind I will be praying for her and for you. (some people do take issue with that, so that's why I ask)

didn't know you were adopted, Sean very cool.

 

[CzarinaAnya]

I'm sorry, I didn't know your Mom was going through that. I'm glad she's home, but will keep her in my prayers. *hugs*

 

[SeaniBu]

Thanks again everyone, I will read this thread to her tonight.

Toni and and ALL that wish to pray for her, it is very appreciated! That is exactly what Mom hopes for. She always gets such a cheer when she hers comments for her from GS. I love the prayers too. It is an ultimate form of compassion to a degree where all can "feel" the love however they choose to believe IMO.

It is all very much appreciated. Thank you all again.

Much love for you all - honest. I have grown to care very much for many of you here. Even some that I seem to disagree with from time to time still have a warm place in my heart.

Sean / Sh?n

 

[heyang]

Heyang - I think I may have met you dad, or at least someone similar to him at the Boulder / Gunbarrel location - they may conceder that Niwot too. Either way that is an encouraging story. I will be sure to pass on the sentiment of "still living a full life" to Mom.

I'm pretty sure you haven't met my father since we lived in NY state. When he was initally diagnosed, all of his siblings and parents were tested as donors. I think my uncle was a match, but he had scarring on his kidney and they didn't want to risk it, in case he had failure later. When this all happened in the late 60's, it was pretty grim. We were all fortunate that dialysis was available at all and kept him around long enough to see my brother and I graduate from high school.

Even if my brother and I had been tested as possible donors, I know my parents would not have allowed it. They would not want to risk either of us needing the kidney at a later date.

If my brother ever needed a kidney donor (God, forbid), I would want to be tested and would insist on donating if I was a match. I can say that comfortably at the age of 40+ since it is unlikely that I will decide to bear children at this point in my life and he has 3 young children. As much as I love my brother, I don't know if I would've felt as comfortable with this idea if I was in my 20's or 30's unless he was at absolute risk of dying.

As a result of my experiences, I have signed a Donor card and registered myself as a bone marrow donor if the occassion were to arise.

 

[SeaniBu]

OK heyang, maybe I didn't Funny the similarity in the person I met.

Mom read the post and she sends much thanks to all of you. It raised her spirits. Gave her what she thinks is a "realistic perspective."

 

[NJSk8Fan]

I've been away from the computer a lot the last 2 weeks or so and I think I missed your original post, Seinibu....
Sending many vibes and prayers for strength to your Mom, and your whole family. I hope there is a good outcome of all that is happening.

 

[Dee4707]

Any updates on your mom??

Dee

 

[Grgranny]

Keep us up to date on Jia Min too.

 

[Tigger]

I haven't been checking in here as often as I should have this summer due to my own health problems, but...

I was on hemodialysis from Feb 1992 to December 1993 and had two transplants. The first one didn't really take, but the second one is the closest match the hospital where I had mine has ever done outside of identical twins. Thankfully, it's doing fine and isn't what my current health battle is about. Anyway...

I hope things go well w/your Mom and her dialysis. The important thing to remember is that it isn't the end of the world and you can live your life while on Dialysis. It takes more adapting and planning, but it can be done.

I attended 1993 Skate Canada in Ottawa while on Dialysis, so it can be done!! Oh and the Dialysis Unit at Ottawa Civic Hospital were fantastic to me!! Their Head Nurse even invited me back the next day for a meet and greet w/our Pairs teams that were competiting that year. Their compeition was over, so that's why they were the ones at the hospital.

Anyway....As I'm sure you know, one of the worst things about kidney failure is the very restictive diet. It certainly doesn't make eating out easy, but there are ways to work around it.

I wish you and your Mom all the best and if you ever need any questions answered, just PM me.