10/11/2025
Little update as to my current kidney disease journey:
3 mths into hemodialysis! I am now able to do dialysis at home. It allows me to flex my schedule for work, appointments, family, like visiting our new granddaughter, Savannah Rose & life!
I am thankful for the dedicated nurses that have helped me. Dialysis can be challenging. They have helped simplify the process best they can. And are available if I need them.
It hasn't been easy. I have 3 treatments a week. The actual filtering process can take up to four & half hours. Then you have setup & cleanup & well it can be over 10hrs.
There has been tears, blood gushing or leaking, alarms beeping, BP too high, BP too low, too cold & lots of blankets, itchy all over, hives, early mornings, late nights... It's like a new language, venous & arterial access lines, syringes, 15-gauge needles, tourniquet, fistula, clotting time, dialysate, waste line, rinse back blood, thrills & bruit... supply orders to be kept up on for saline, water bags, paks & saks, cartridges, heparin & more. Some prep takes 6 hrs prior to starting...
3 books to trouble shoot from ... and always know when to call 911.
I am grateful my wife, Linda is dedicated to getting me better. She is a hard worker & so smart to be a "nurse" with just 6 wks training for at home dialysis. She handles situations as needed but calls for help if necessary. She is determined to see this through until I get a new kidney. She has set aside things in her life for me. I am deeply grateful for all she has done.
Thank you Linda for everything you do for me!
I do feel better. I hope once I get my kidney I can travel & see friends & family in NY and all the other places in between we have lived.
