07/23/2001

Dialysis Analysis -- Readers Share

After reading about my father, many people wrote to me about family members with kidney diseases and some of the preliminary treatments available before the condition worsened to the point of requiring dialysis. Fortunately for some, a kidney transplant has been a viable and successful option. Another person wrote about practicalities of medical dependency, such as needing transportation, not only to dialysis but to other appointments, as well. My Internet research found a public transportation option -- check it out!

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Dear Beth,

Having worked at the local senior center for several years, my primary function was obtaining transportation for anyone in need to their doctors, clinics and dialysis treatment centers. This service was for seniors 55 and older, but there is probably a large population under 55 in need of the same type of transportation. The local Kidney Foundation discontinued this type of service long ago, and we primarily depended on volunteers or our Dial-A-Ride vans. Do you know of any other transportation that is available to dialysis patients? None of the patients we transported were on Title 19.

ANSWER: The state of Connecticut web site lists services for rides to appointments (and other places) for individuals. To find the right "page" on the site, go to http://www.state.ct.us/.

Next, click on "agencies/organizations"
Next, click on "transportation"
Next, click on "public transportation"
Finally, click on "CT rides"

Good luck and thanks for asking.

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Dear Beth,

I, too, have family that was in dialysis. My story is a little different.

My mom had open heart surgery (5 by-pass) and did well. After her surgery my dad ended up getting sick and he had cancer of the lungs and passed away. A month after that my mom had to go on dialysis. She was on it for 7 years and than in the year 2000 she was able to have a kidney transplant. She is doing well with that but has other problems now.

My son, who is a young adult, someday will probably be on dialysis. He sees a kidney specialist in Connecticut because he was born with only 20 percent of his kidneys that function. Specialists told me when he was a toddler that I would be lucky if he made it to the age of 21. Well, he is past that age and is still doing well. We take him for check-ups every three months, but so far things are staying the same. The doctor did say things are taking a turn but no dialysis is needed so far. We are just testing and hopefully things will keep going the way they are.

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Thanks for the great article on this subject. Timely for me as my wife is diabetic and is presently hospitalized (again!) for complications. She somehow gets an infection of some type (nothing at all to most of us), then gradually puts on 30 - 40 lbs. of fluid weight. Soon she's in the hospital, receiving large I.V. doses of diuretics to "motivate" her kidneys. Eventually she's peeing by the gallon and donating blood samples regularly so that the many possible negative effects of this rapid draining can be intercepted and controlled.

One of these times (this is the 3rd or 4th repetition of this scenario) the diuretic won't be effective (enough) and she also will have to adjust to life with dialysis. Although it may not be an option in your father's case, I guess there is an alternative system now available which allows a patient to "hook" him/herself up at home and receive their blood cleansing overnight. Probably not much more fun than a sharp stick in the eye, but offering a better alternative to family care-givers.

Dialysis at Home: Links

Mayo Clinic discussion of dialysis treatment options

Web site created by a woman who chose home dialysis. She provides comments about her choice, links to a mail-ring discussion with others who made the same choice and links to support organizations.

Newspaper article about home dialysis

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Dear Beth,

I read the article and hope that your father is still in good health. I have learned a great deal about patients with renal (kidney) failure while on my EMS (Emergency Medical Services) job. Their main complaint is always feeling cold because of poor circulation to their hands and feet.

Great strides have been made in the care and treatment of renal patients, but there is more to be done. Not all are transplant candidates, as the rest of the body degrades as well, so rejection, even with medication, is a possibility. The financial costs are high, but quality of life can be maintained. Some cruise ships are even set up for dialysis!

Your father has the right outlook. He wants to continue life, but does not want to be a burden on family and friends. Some patients feel that life has dealt them a bad hand and will purposely do whatever they can to make others miserable, claiming that the disease makes them act and feel that way.

With proper care, diet and medication, people on dialysis can do well for many years.

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Please send questions or comments to bbruno@snet.net.