Dialyze This

Dialyze This

Imagine being a health professional who on a weekly or monthly basis must deliver a worrisome diagnosis. Scary words like cancer or heart disease, Alzheimer’s or End Stage Renal Disease. There are a myriad of others just as frightening to patients. All are delivered somberly and most often with the wish that he or she was not the chosen physician.

I heard the words End Stage Renal Disease myself not so long ago. It was not the biggest surprise since for several years the diagnosis was Chronic Kidney Disease. This is a byproduct of Diabetes a disease I have owned since my early twenties (I am in my mid fifties now).

For years I have thought sadly for folks with such diagnoses. Such words were death sentences then and are still thought of that way today. I understood the somber delivery.

I was so wrong! Such words should not be delivered with sadness anymore.

I wish my own doctor had said something like the following:

“I am pleased to tell you that your kidney disease has progressed to the stage that we have a solid treatment to affect it. You will need to go on Dialysis but it is highly likely that you will begin to feel much better. You will need to do your part by being an active participant in your treatment. Think of it, not so long ago End Stage Renal Disease meant just that the End but now we can help you to live your best life and you may even have the option of transplantation”.

Trust me when I say that being tethered to a chair for up to twelve hours a week may not seem like the most fun you have ever had but consider the alternative.

When one of my most favorite people, Skooba, got married in May; I was thrilled for him and his beautiful bride. I actually missed the ceremony because I had felt so ill in the morning of the wedding that we left late and ended up encountering traffic. Once we arrived I was so exhausted that it was difficult to actively engage. My nephew, Sage Words, asked me to dance (what a charmer that one) and I gave it my all and then had no energy to dance with my own sons.

That was May 11th; on June16th, Lone duck’s birthday, I began dialysis. Two weeks later I realized how sick I had been because I began to feel better.

Seven months later and I feel as though I have 95% of my life back. It may seem silly to get excited about grocery shopping but it wasn’t so long ago that I couldn’t walk through the store. Now I can and I can complete other errands a well.

When my sister Yarntangler and her husband Geezerguy came to visit I had to force myself to cook for them; it was incredibly exhausting but I managed. Today I can actually enjoy the process of cooking a meal and not become grouchy or need a nap when I’m done.

There are additional benefits to Dialysis or Chemo that sometimes are overlooked. A patient is forced to take time for oneself. Most people never devote 12 hours a week to solitary involvement. Treatment gives you the time to read or think or watch a movie or play a game on your computer. Who knows one might even write a blog entry.

I have made new friends and had wonderful dialogs with folks I never would have expected.

My family still worries and I still need a kidney (type A or O blood please) but my message is a simple one.

If you are a physician feel blessed that you can give hope and if you are the patient feel joy that treatment is available to you.

Take the time during treatment to think of the researchers who made it possible for you to live a longer healthier life.

If you are a family member try to worry a little less but be supportive; days are not all great as treatment can be rough.

I am grateful for my family’s support every day. I love how much they love me.

Thanks Dr Perkins for telling me that it was time for Dialysis. I just want to say that the next time you tell someone it is time it really is okay to do it with a smile. You will be changing a life for the better.

Until next time,
Classy Brassy Broad