Update of dialysis

Glenn's first experience with hemodialysis went better than he expected. But that's not to say it was a piece of cake. He was really tense the whole time.  The needle sticks weren't as traumatic as he (and I) were expecting. Everything went smoothly. And they did let me stay with him today, although I won't be able to after today. They had mercy on him bc it was his first time and they knew how anxious he was about it. So we are both glad that experience is over. Now on to new mountains to conquer!

Post-Op

Yep, Glenn had his umbilical hernia surgery yesterday and he is  doing amazingly well. Tomorrow he will have his first hemodialysis (in place of the peritoneal dialysis that he usually does.) This involves 2 railroad spike-sized needles in his arm for 3-4 hours. I won't be allowed in the dialysis room because they keep it as sterile as possible plus there isn't room for visitors. So with this one he's on his own. I don't particularly like that, but that's the rules in every dialysis center, as far as I know. The reason he is doing the hemo is so that the
site can heal. With peritoneal his abdomen is filled with dialysis fluid all day, and at night the machine runs through 4 cycles of filling and emptying.
His most recent visit to G'ville for his check was encouraging: his lab numbers were good again.         
I had the second cataract surgery done two weeks ago and this one was better than the first one in that I didn't have as much discomfort afterwards as the first one. My sight is better now and I may not need glasses except for reading. I can't say it's great because there is another issue with one of my eyes that causes distortion so my eyes kind of fight each other. But it's to be expected that things start falling apart after a certain age. I'm very fortunate not to have more problems. I play cards with a group of ladies several years older than I am and I'm getting a glimpse into what my life will be like if I live as long as they have.
So I guess I'll give you an update on how hemodialysis goes for Glenn. He may only have to do it for a week, which would be three or four times, depending on how his surgery heals.

Much to say about nothing much

Hello all, even though there's not much happening here, I thought you'd like to know that there's not much happening here. ;-) We are gliding along into summer in Florida.
We did get to go on the trip that Glenn planned for in May, but we decided at the last minute to drive up and stay in a hotel instead of doing the RV thing. There were a couple reasons for that change: there aren't any good RV places near where our daughter lives, and we were trying to do two things at the same time: RV and visit our daughter. So we changed the date of RVing to later in the year. Saved a bunch of money that way. And we had a great visit with her. We got to surprise her with a violin and lessons, which she has wanted for many years. And she was very surprised, to the point of tears. She starts her lessons this week. She is so very excited about it. While we were there in Raleigh we visited the NC museum of history, and Duke gardens. We hope to get to go up again in the future and see more of the area. It is very beautiful; I've heard it called "God's Country". It is very pretty, but I guess that description depends on one's perspective and opinions.
Glenn's next visit to G'ville is in a week. But there was a "Survivors" reunion for previous bone marrow transplant patients (of Shands in G'ville) this past weekend that we attended. There were people who were transplanted as long ago as the 80's . I think the reunion was as much for the staff of the bone marrow unit as for the patients. It is encouraging to see that their work has really saved lives. The unit is very much a family. When we saw Glenn's Dr. at the reunion, Glenn started to shake his hand and the Dr. said, "We give hugs here." It just reaffirmed our feelings about where we chose to have his treatment done.
Glenn has scheduled surgery for his umbilical  hernia for the end of June. The surgeon said it wouldn't get better but worse over time and would need to be done eventually so better to do it now when it's not an emergency. Glenn will have to go on hemodialysis for a month after surgery to let it heal. I am amazed at the progress he has made with accepting the stuff that he's had to go through. Certainly he is apprehensive about having the surgery done, but he seems to be accepting it well and not whining about it. This is especially amazing considering that his belly button is the most sensitive place he has and a person can get hit for even acting like they are going near it, (as a couple Dr.s found out.) And his  greatest fear about dialysis was hemodialysis that they use two large needles each time, which is three days a week for about 4 hours. He has a whole month to dread it's approach, so I know he would appreciate prayers for peace while waiting for the day to get here.
As an aside, I had cataract surgery last week while things are quiet here, and will have the other eye done next week. I had to slip those in when I could get it done and have him wait on me for a change. ;-) And, don't tell him this, but I'm really milking it!
So, for not much going on, I'd say there was a lot to share. As always, I will fill you in on our next  visit to G'ville.