Bit of an update on the Mrs....progress.
(Sorry if it's a bit of a long post)
I posted earlier in the year about the Mrs having a siezure on NYD, and renal failure resulting in dialysis.
She really didn't take well to it initially, but has improved massively over the last couple of months. Improved enough that she is now looking to return to work at UHND in mid July.
Work, with dialysis three times a week?
We had a visit yesterday from the dialysis team at the Freeman to assess the suitability of our house, and us, for home dialysis....and we got the go ahead. There is some modifications to be done in the spare bedroom....a fresh water supply and a waste water outlet needs fitted, but they arrange and carry out all the work. We get the same dialysis unit they use in the Freeman, a recliner chair, and all the necessary equipment required. The work will be done in a day, and will be within the next 4 weeks.
So, on Monday 19th June, I start my dialysis training. I basically take the Mrs to dialysis at the Freeman, Monday, Wednesday and Friday and they show me what to do...the same training a nurse on the dialysis unit gets. How to set up the machine, connect her up etc...the whole lot. I'm looking forward to it, but a bit nervous at the same time. It will make a massive difference to us both to be able to do it at home.
There's more......
I'm also about to start tests (its not just blood type) to see if I would be a suitable donor. She has already had to tests to check her suitability for a transplant, which she passed. Her blood group is 0-negative, which is quite rare apparently, so the chances of a match are quite slim. Im agreeing to an "exchange" type scheme (this sounds mad) but basically, if one of my kidneys isn't suitable for her it may suitable for someone else, whose partners kidney may be suitable for my Mrs. Then they do both ops at the same time.
Strange times ahead....nervous, excited, hopeful, scared even.....just some of the emotions going through our heads.
Big progress though.
Just want end by saying I think our NHS is absolutely fantastic, and The Freeman Hospital....I really can't praise them enough.