The life of a dialysis patient – part 2
The first year after the transplant
By Bob P. – guest blogger
continues from part 1
During the first year, I faced numerous ups and downs.
One of the many surgical procedures before dialysis treatment is carried out includes a favored technique called the fistula which is performed on your arm.
It involves the connection of an artery and a vein to dilate the vein as well as provide easy access from and to the artificial kidney. The dialysis center didn’t feel at all comfortable and I was forever surrounded with a lot of ill and lethargic patients.
Eventually, my health and the schedule even forced to me take a resignation from my job. Working whole heartedly in the fast paced environment while fitting in to the dialysis treatments at the same time, was no longer something that I could carry off.
Thankfully, after a few months I could find a new career path to fit around my treatment, as a part time high school teacher.
The most painful moments
The moments of needle insertion were unbearably painful. The technician usually determines whether you would require a local anesthetic to be administered below your skin. Your insertion goes real quick without any discomfort only if your fistula feels reasonably good. Then, heparin is administered for preventing blood from clotting lines and dialyzer through the run. Blood is then rapidly pumped through tubing to the artificial kidney filters that allow waste and toxic substances to pass through it. This purifies your blood, a job that is normally done through the body’s kidneys.
Keep on reading: part 3
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