Looks like I probably have peritonitis (again). The last two nights, my "initial drain" was red and cloudy. Red isn't that hard to take. It just means that I did something that put too much strain on the "PD" catheter, and it started bleeding. However, with no kidneys, I would not want to cause too much bleeding, because if I get too anemic, I'll have to get Epogen injections, probably twice a week or so. And that's no fun! Cloudy, on the other hand, means that I probably have peritonitis (again). Oh, I've only had it four times in two and a half years. When does it all end, or does it ever end??!!! Why can't I be absolutely fed up with this nonsense???
The timing couldn't have been worse, either. I'm flying to Cleveland for the holidays...leaving this Thursday. I REALLY didn't need to get peritonitis this soon before leaving for my Christmas vacation, and I REALLY REALLY REALLY don't need this peritonitis to ruin my Christmas!!!!!!!!!! Bad enough that the two times I wound up in the hospital with this illness, were on Valentine's Day and Mother's Day (both in 2008). Those were hard enough. If I have to spend Christmas in the hospital, that's it...I will absolutely feel like quitting all dialysis treatments of any kind!!!!
The first time I had peritonitis, in the summer of 2007, it was mild, as it is now (so far). I gave myself antibiotics for two weeks, it cleared up, I was fine. In 2008, I almost died twice. The first of those two times, I was severely dehydrated too, complete with dizzy spells and passing out, which was why Dad had to carry me to his car, and I had to be in a wheelchair when we waited in the Emergency Room. The second time, in May of 2008, I was in so much pain that I was reduced to crawling. I was home, so Mom called 9-1-1, and two paramedics came and had to scrape me off the floor as though I was a damn fried egg. This time, I hardly have any symptoms, other than a little cramping. Today, I started with the antibiotic thing, so hopefully we're catching it soon enough this time that I will be spared of another hospital stay, because that is what would ruin my Christmas!!
I have had enough dialysis-related infections already. And the time I was on hemodialysis was no exception. No peritonitis...but plenty of systemic infections, which are infections that are detected in a person's blood. One of those infections that I remember well was in the summer of 2008...Every time I went for hemo. treatment, during treatment, I got terrible chills, and almost unbearable muscle aches, including bad headaches. Some time after being disconnected, the symptoms cleared up. That's how we knew it was from the hemo. catheter. In January of this year, I had a graft put in my right arm. The dialysis nurse promised me I'd have a lower chance of getting infections. A month later, the graft got infected and had to be taken out.
I've had too many infections already...I'm fed up!!! I've had it!!! How much clearer can I possibly be??? I am sick and tired of being sick and tired!!!
Excuse me. This is my blog. I will sneak in here and vent when I feel like I have to, so thanks for hearing me out.
Happy Holidays!!!!
xoxo
