Introduction

hi
my name is jen. i am dialysis patient. what does that mean? it means my kidneys do not work - so there is a machine that does the work for me.

i have been a kidney patient my whole life. i am 35 now - i have had 2 kidney transplants, a hip replaced, numerous surgeries for dialysis accesses and a few other surgeries due to side effects from my medications.

my intent with this blog is to educate folks who find themselves in the same situation as me - or possibly health professionals looking to know what it is like to be a patient.

recently i had a catheter placed in my abdomen so i can start peritoneal dialysis or home dialysis. i am still in the training stage so i have not yet dialyzed thru the catheter but i a m looking forward to this form of treatment.

it means i will not have to go to a dialysis center 3 times a week for 3 hours for my treatment,i will have more flexibility in my diet and fluid intake and overall feel better since it is a much slower dialysis process.

i was out of the patient loop for about 10 years because i had had a transplant - the kidney rejected this past April. That was tough.
however, i have always believed that everything happens for a reason - and the reason is i need to educate people - let folks know the different types of dialysis, the importance of having your voice and question health professionals, be proactive in your care and most importantly stay strong - just because i am a dialysis patient does not mean my life is over - if anything being on dialysis makes me want to accomplish more in my life.

that all for right now - i am off to dialysis!