Many of you have expressed an interest in my experience as a person with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) and End Stage Renal Failure. While this condition is as serious as it sounds, it does not mean the end of a good quality of life as I pursue the need for a kidney.
First, let me say that I continue to be active and feel good. I make this point because when people hear that I am on dialysis, they generally express their sympathy and/or look very sad. Most people have heard the stories of how tired many people are when they are on dialysis. When I first started dialysis, using another type of dialysis, I had that experience and not every person the same experience. But, since I started home-based peritoneal dialysis (PD), I don’t any more.
First, let me say that I continue to be active and feel good. I make this point because when people hear that I am on dialysis, they generally express their sympathy and/or look very sad. Most people have heard the stories of how tired many people are when they are on dialysis. When I first started dialysis, using another type of dialysis, I had that experience and not every person the same experience. But, since I started home-based peritoneal dialysis (PD), I don’t any more.
Peritoneal dialysis has given me a good portion of my lifestyle back. Instead of taking an intense four-hour treatment three to four times per week, I take a treatment each night while I am asleep. It’s not painful and for the most part does not interrupt my sleep. It also means that I have my waking hours available to do things outside of my home. The PD machine is portable and allows me to travel. And Baxter makes it convenient by delivering the supplies for the treatment to anyplace that I travel.
After speaking with me several times and inquiring about my health, my friend, Toya Evans, encouraged me to write some short blogs about my experience. She felt that it would help many people overcome their fear. In future blogs, I will show you the machine and tell you about my daily experience. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to ask. (For those of you who know me, you know that I will tell you the whole truth.)
Thanks for your support and I look forward to hearing from you. I invite you to join my blog.
Glenda V. Roberts
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