Complimentary not Competing

By Anna Bennett

It is just over a  week since my last post, I am sitting in my living room, in my dialysis chair, my NxStage sits next to me, but it is unplugged, as am I.  My donor's kidney cleans my blood now, and I will do everything in my power to keep his kidney healthy, so literally, after death, a part of him lives on.  That is my responsibility.

My transplant experience was great.  My transplant team is amazing, headed by Dr. Alan Benvenisty, my Transplant Surgeon, a man who came highly recommended in 2005 when I went to him to be worked up for the UNOS list, and in my case he has exceeded his sterling reputation. 

I have been on my CKD journey since birth, as I am second generation PKD, I was well educated on CKD and monitored all of my life.  I learned that being pro active in your medical care improves your quality of life.  Because of High Dose Home Hemo Dialysis (HDHHD), I was in the best possible shape that I could have been in for my transplant.  While I was in the hospital, I saw the Halo Effect in action, and I  was able to speak with medical professionals (Nurses/Fellows/Residents) who were amazed that HDHHD and NxStage existed.

This is a communication problem that is costing lives.  Every medical professional should know that HDHHD technology exists.  Just as in the inroads with diabetes therapy, (insulin pumps,glucometers) HDHHD needs to up it's profile.  HDHHD can either be a bridge, as it was for me, (I was qualified and motivated for a transplant)  - or it can allow someone to live a vital/full life when transplant is not an option.

So many times, I have seen in support groups a polarization for one therapy or another.  These therapies are not in competition.  Just as in my case, HDHHD kept me in the best possible condition to have a successful transplant.  My three and a half year wait for a kidney is proof positive that there aren't enough kidneys around for the ever growing CKD-5 population. 

And, as for me, my new kidney started working on the table, and has brought my Creatinine down from a 6.8 to 1.3, my body is reaping the benefits.  I am adjusting to the immunosuppression and I am being very well taken care of by my transplant team.  

Comments

[Tracy Lynn]

I can't tell you how happy this made me.

[Kevin Hartzog]

Congratulations on your transplant! I can't believe more doctors and ESRD patients don't know about home hemo. Someone should use a NxStage machine as a plot device on some prime time TV show. Take your transplant meds!