Would you expect me to cover up.

[Torchout]

I've recently had a line put in so I can have dialysis. Basically all that shows are two little tubes .

They're located just in front of my right armpit. I'm currently wearing a v neck top and they're obviously visible in the v.
As I'm in a renal ward a high percentage of patients have them so it's not weird here.

If you met me in the wild would you want me to hide them away, or would you be fine and not end up talking to them .

I'm going to need a new wardrobe as the plus side of kidney failure has been weight loss

I had a pic line last summer and didn’t cover it, no one gave a crap

You should wear anything you feel comfortable in. My sister has a line for dialysis and there really isn’t much to see.

They're dresssed when not in use

Brilliant answer and I totally agree.

i currently have serial killer eyes because I had an eye test this morning with the dilation drops… and my dad has just been rushed in for emergency surgery so I can’t bloody drive and am on a train heading to the hospital looking like the front page of tomorrow’s newspaper. Do I care? Not a jot.

Whatever you are comfortable with, if someone stares it’s usually out of curiosity so just explain what it’s for. No one would care. Good luck with it all.

😁 hope you’re feeling better soon!!

Thanks lovely. I’ll be ok, just a bit worried about dad. Although he sent a text saying: “I’m not planning on cashing in my chips today. Please send more cat pics!” I won’t have any mobile data left at this rate!

Thanks for your support. Im going to buy some lovely clothes because I love them.

Seeing I was at death's door three weeks ago im feeling amazing.

Hope you find some fabulous stuff!

Renal unit housekeeper here...... stuff the haters, wear what you are comfortable with.

Eventually you will have a fistula which will not be so obvious.

I wish you well on your journey and hope you don't wait long for a transplant.

You have more courage than me when I was on dialysis, I admire you for that. I hope your dialysis journey is not too long.

I think it would do people good to be reminded about all the different things others handle in this life. Anyone who thinks twice is a prick.

Good for you OP. Is this a permanent line? I had peritoneal dialysis so my tube was lower and I had the same worries in the Summer but just went with it.

I had some lovely conversations with youngsters who were fascinated with it all and how it worked to keep me alive.
It sounds like you’ve been on a journey and I can fully appreciate the lust for life coming out the other side of things-wear what you want and enjoy wearing it!

You should do what ever is comfortable for you, absolutely nobody else's opinion matters .
Some people may look / stare but that's on them not you.

Just as a side , have you heard of The Spud Man ? He has a huge following on fb primarily because of his jacket spuds and pink hair.
He also has to have dialysis ( at home ) his lines are in his arm and occasionally he speaks about his treatments.
He is inspirational.
Spud Man https://share.google/AQujnWjwJCAe0Trqs

If it makes other people uncomfortable that’s a them issue not a you issue! Wear what feels comfy for you.

Absolutely not!! You do you, you have so much to think about and that is definitely something you should put to the back of your mind. I am a nurse and have seen a lot of these so wouldn’t bother me.

I would expect my son to say something if he seen it (he’s 7) but I would use it as a teaching moment so if you can handle small comments have it on show.

I work on. Dialysis ward. You do what makes you feel comfortable. Some people might ask or stare but I would just educate them.
I’m glad you are feeling better now. Good luck xx

You don't have to cover up. People might look at them, it's only natural to look at something that's different to what they're used to, so you may notice them looking while you're talking to them. Curiosity doesn't always have to be a bad thing. If anyone asks, I'd have a simple explanation ready, just so you're not floundering. Before long it'll be so natural to you that you don't even think about it :).

No OP wear what you want. Ive seen youngsters sporting a bikini with their colostomy bag before.nobody cares about these things any more.

It took me a long time to learn to wear my scars as badges of honor. There is no reason to be embarrassed or to hide that you are fighting and surviving. If people are squeamish they need to deal with it, not you.

No don’t cover up especially over summer on the odd day it’s hot and sweaty. It’s no different to having an NG tube in your nose and nobody hides them.

No I would not expect you to cover up. But then my Dh was on dialysis for 14 years (until last October when he got a transplant) and so am aware of these things.

He did peritoneal dialysis for some years and had a longish plastic translucent tube coming out of his tummy and still has his fistula (ginormous inflated vein in his arm). We all got used to it surprisingly quickly and basically marvelled at the wonders of modern medicine that meant he could lead a reasonably healthy life.