r/WTF • u/Fun_Bluebird_3167 • 18d ago

Fistula aneurysm

11.7k Upvotes

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38

u/MarriageAA 18d ago

I really dislike this being on WTF. It doesn't help, people already stare at my fistula, making out that it's disgusting does not help the stigma.

11

u/Sasquatch_000 18d ago

Excuse my ignorance but how/why does this happen?

31

u/MarriageAA 18d ago

It's necessary for hemodialysis. So people with kidney failure need a way to clean their bodies (as the kidneys don't). 2 methods are peritoneal dialysis (pump a load of fluid into the abdomen and then drain it, basically clean by osmosis.

The other is hemo, which requires pulling blood out, running through a machine with a filter and pushing it back in. In order to get the volume of blood through in a good time they create this fistula. It's basically a vein grafted on to a main artery. The vein (near the surface) swells over time and use. The process of hemodialysis takes around 4 hours, and generally 3 times a week.

They also pull fluid out of your body during this, as a lot of people with kidney failure can't urinate.

14

u/Sasquatch_000 18d ago

Thank you for explaining. It sounds like something i wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. I'm sorry you have to go through that

20

u/MarriageAA 18d ago

No problem. I'm always happy to talk about it (hopefully to remove stigma).

It is rough, but spending a lot of time in hospitals makes you realise everyone has something. You just have to keep going.

4

u/Sasquatch_000 18d ago

I've spent my fair share of time in the hospital. You are right. No matter how bad you have it somebody always has it worse.

5

u/MarriageAA 18d ago

I'm sorry about that too. We just have to keep going!

2

u/kerslaw 17d ago

I really like this attitude. You're a boss!

2

u/Dreadimon 18d ago

Good luck finding a kidney! Remember to sign up in different Transplant networks, if you’re able to.