Ellie-Mai A kidneys Journey

So I’ve been quiet for a while cause mundane dialysis 3x a week doesn’t scream news until this…..

Last Friday 27th February I had a procedure that has its technical medical terminology but to simplify it the best to my advantage here I go.

Back story - My fistula in my wrist/lower forearm gave up on me with showing sigh of narrowing that through a ballooning didn’t fix, after a good far few months it then showed the blood wasn’t circulating the way I would benefit from it best.
This caused needling to be painful even with Emla cream. (Ps yeah I’m a p***y I use the numbing cream, turns out after a while you get fed up of the pain).

Present - On Friday they proceeded to move the fistula further up my arm to the crease so going forward we would needle through rope paddle the upper forearm which showed signs of bigger better all around benefits for me.
And then the bottom fistula that was used by button hole due to branching and short arterial space for needling, and other bits and bobs to be tied off. (RIP first fistula)

Monday 2nd March - With the guidance of a scanner and plastic needles and low pump speed of 250 we was able to get me dialysed through the new fistula and all is well.

Now Home and very well medicated with the hope swelling and pain and bruising eases.

Just grateful as much as this is all overwhelming and I’ve had a tear or two. My unit and its nurses are like my home and mostly so supportive and I thank them for that on top of all else. To making me comfortable and at ease the whole way through I thank you!

Goodnight all and god bless✨🤍

Arteriovenous Fistula

So in April I had a fistula placed in my forearm under local anaesthetic, weirdest experience ever being in a theatre awake but with drapes over my arm loads of anaesthetic injected into the area and a couple hours later there was a flow of buzzing like a faint electric toothbrush.

It’s a connection between an artery and vein so I can dialyse in a more efficient way. Having a line may be less evasive for those who have a fear of of needles and short period of easy access of doing heamodialysis, however infection risk is higher and the concern for clots within the central line from constant use.

So every dialysis session I’m connect via two needles one venously and the other arterial both in the veins of the arm of the fistula. Had blood will flow out wash around the machine and come back in all clean and pure.
I am needled with the guide of an ultrasound so they can see the fistula veins and artery more clearly and know where to needle without causing irritation or for the fistula to blow.

Having a fistula can be painful and sore process, I wouldn’t change my mind around having it before in 2018 when I joined the renal unit in Brighton I would never had made the decision to have a fistula put in I was strictly against it. I’m glad I made the change and soon once my central line is out I’ll enjoy swimming showering without worry of getting the line infected and much more.

Ps. Lidocaine and numbing cream is for p***ys mind over matter

Hello followers new and old.
It’s been a while….
2 amazing years this year would’ve been my 3rd unfortunately due to covid and pneumonia my anti bodies attacked my Transplanted kidney and I’m back to my favourite room at my favourite unit with my most favourite nurses.

It’s been an emotional ride but nether the less we start again this time with new faces and a brand new fistula which has been the biggest turn around as I said I’d never get one!.

Here’s to Ellie-Mai’s A kidney journey back to the start.