Travel isn't the issue, lack of self care is the issue

By Bill Peckham

RenalWEB links to a press release from the American Society of Nephrology reporting a poster presented last week at Renal Week: Travel may be hazardous to dialysis patients:

The investigators [Claire Edwards, RGN; Kathleen Lynch, RGN; Neill Duncan, MRCP] concluded that travel among dialysis patients is associated with significantly increased infection rates, loss of vascular access, and anemia. "Many patients wish to travel freely around the world. This study empowers patients with information in order for them to make choices about their lifestyle," said Edwards.

Infections and access damage are severe problems but the press release made no mention of how to mitigate these risks - self cannulation.

When I took my first trip on dialysis - over Christmas after starting dialysis in September of 1990 - it was very disconcerting to have someone I didn't know put in my needles. When I returned home I was encouraged to learn to put in my own needles. I resisted but thankfully the NKC staff did not take no for an answer; by the end of January I was self cannulating (see a video of me in action).

Ever since that first trip I have put in my own needles. Not only am I self cannulating I am also preparing my arm for the needles, taking full responsibility for infection control. Over the years I have dialyzed in over 20 countries and 20 US states (I haven't counted up the sates) and never had an infection at home or on the road and I am still using the same fistula which is now nearly 20 years old.

Self cannulation is always a good idea, this study underscores the advantage for those dialyzors, who like me have a wanderlust comorbidity.

Comments

[Miriam Lippel Blum]

I love that term "wanderlust comorbidity." Another great Peckhamism to add to the list, along with "Dialyzor."

[Zach]

As the man said, "Self Care First."

[roberta mikles]

All about patient education and patient empowerment

Roberta