Finally, I had my AV fistula done on my left arm. For those unfamiliar with what it is, it's basically where an artery is directly connected to a vein. This is done so that the blood vessels in that artery/vein will thicken and allow dialysis to be done there. Hopefully within a couple of months it heals so that this catheter down my jugular can be removed.

They (both catherer and fistula) hurt like bloody hell.

Anyway, I had it done at the National Kidney and Transplant Institute, at a bargain basement price. By bargain basement, I mean I can't pay it off even if I save for year (which I can't). I should be thankful, considering at the local hospital it cost 6 times as much.

My schedule was 9 am. I arrived 8:30 am. Then I waited for 4 hours, because the OR had so many patients. After 4 hours of waiting, I was stripped and dressed in a gown... then placed in a room so cold I thought it would snow. The 70 year old lady beside me said her teeth hurt from chattering from the cold, and I agree. There I waited for 3 hours when I finally was wheeled in. I couldn't complain -- I knew the procedure already cost (relatively) next to nothing.

At the NKTI, there were sorrier souls than I was. The lady I mentioned? She was sent home (after waiting 8 hours -- she arrived before I did). Apparently, her veins were too small, and the doctor said he _could_ operate... at 3x the price and with only 20% success. Man, I felt so sorry for her, since she could barely afford the procedure at normal prices. The guy after me? He sold his house. The guy after that? He was being paid for by a charity organization and was going to have to procedure done for free... _after_ everyone who was paying was done. It was already 4pm and the OR was about to close, so he was told to come back tomorrow and wait last in line again.

It puts things into perspective.




The doctor was trying to convince me to get a transplant (half price offer of 1.5 million!). My sister immediately said she would be my donor.

Over my very dead and decaying body she will. I love her and I know she loves me, but, really, that's just BS.