By Bill Peckham
The current NxStage newsletter just came in the mail; it's the Special Freedom Cruise 2010 Issue (PDF link). The main article gives a great overview of last January's cruise and provides a little information on each of the NxStagers who participated (for DSEN's cruise coverage go here
and scroll down). Meeting NxStagers, people from all over the country who use the NxStage cycler to treat their CKD, was a highlight of the cruise.
One thing to come out of the cruise, due to demand from NxStagers who didn't get to go, was the idea for a land based NxStage meetup. This has evolved into a Las Vegas Meetup and Conference for anyone with CKD or who cares for people with CKD. Dialyzors, care partners, doctors, nurses and techs ... all are invited to meetup in Vegas October 10 - 15th. Check out NxStageUsers for all the details.
The other thing to come out of the cruise is an adventure that will begin in just about a
week. One night as we plied the Western Caribbean, I was sitting around with a few fellow dialyzors talking about travel and trips we'd like to take. As someone with a wanderlust comorbidity the list of trips I'd like to take is pretty long but there was one trip in particular that I had wanted to do. A trip that I thought had been made possible for a dialyzor by the NxStage System One: a three night Rogue River whitewater rafting trip.
Next Monday, July 19th, I and two other dialyzors from the cruise (Jim and Dan), will depart on a three night, 4-Day Wilderness Lodge Trip organized through Rogue Wilderness Adventures. We'll be bringing two cyclers with us down the Rogue, along with supplies for five hemodialysis treatments. At night we'll be staying at lodges accessible only by river - we've sent some of our supplies ahead. The generators only run until 10PM so I'll be switching to 3 hour runs while I'm on the river.
The adventure begins in Oregon, about 60 mile north of the California state line (note West is up on the map). Monday night, at the first lodge, will be a night off of dialysis because we all plan to dialyze each day leading up to departure. Tuesday night we'll arrive at Paradise Lodge for a two night stay. We all plan to dialyze during our stay at Paradise, I think I'll do one run Tuesday night or on Wednesday - our free day. I should be able to fit in a three hour treatment between hikes, fishing and just hanging out in the secluded splendor of the wild and scenic Rogue. Thursday we raft out of the wilderness and return to civilization.
While we're on the river there will be no internet access, no cell service, no TV - we'll be unplugged! Four days without electronic communication will probably be more of a novelty than dialyzing on a generator in the woods. There will be pictures and video once I return to the Internet's electronic embrace. And if you go to Vegas in October you'll be able to hear more about the raft adventure, and the cruise, from those who were there.
How fabulous! Have a wonderful adventure. I can't wait to hear all about how it went. You are an inspiration to all of us dialyzors of what is possible if you have the will to follow your dreams and a NxStage System One.
Bon voyage!
Posted by: Miriam Lippel Blum | July 11, 2010 at 08:58 PM
Thanks Miriam. It should be a lot of fun.
Posted by: Bill Peckham | July 11, 2010 at 10:26 PM
This is awesome Bill! You make me so jealous. Have a blast!
Posted by: Kamal D Shah | July 12, 2010 at 12:56 AM
This is fantastic! You guys have a safe and awesome journey - talk about flexibility and freedom!
Posted by: Harvey Wells | July 12, 2010 at 06:45 AM
I wish you well on your adventure!
Posted by: Zach | July 12, 2010 at 07:10 AM
Bill and others going rafting,
All I can say is You Guys Have Some Guts!!!! You have taking dialysis to another step. Hope that cycler is waterproof.....
Posted by: Brian | July 12, 2010 at 07:13 AM
Jealosy is just the beginningn of my emotional feelings regarding thr raft trip. I so much want to go, but had to have my first knee replacement instead. I think you guys are going to have a great time as you push the envelope further in terms of what a dialyzor can do if doing near optimal treatments. Hard to see someone in-center doing the same. I can't wait to see the pics and the video.
To my three amigos, have a great time.
Posted by: Rich Berkowitz | July 12, 2010 at 07:51 AM
Bill have a great time but has anyone told you that you are a little bit crazy? That is rugged country, stay safe and come back to tell us your tales. God bless,
Peter
Posted by: Peter Laird, MD | July 12, 2010 at 12:47 PM
Bill, only you! Looking forward to hearing all about this trip. It does sound exciting. Wishing you the fun out of it!
Posted by: Diana | July 12, 2010 at 01:23 PM
It should be a great trip - the 10 day forecast is all sun, with temps in the 90s.
Posted by: Bill Peckham | July 12, 2010 at 10:44 PM
Have a wonderful time, Bill ! Between this and Burning Man, and the rest of your travels, you've proven there's nothing you can't do on dialysis !
Posted by: Kathe LeBeau | July 13, 2010 at 02:02 AM
Exciting! Can't wait to hear about the trip, so all of you get back safe and sound.
Posted by: Denise | July 13, 2010 at 04:37 AM
I never stop being impressed by your sense of adventure. Have a great, safe trip. Can't wait to hear about your Rouge adventure and see the pix.
Posted by: Kidneyhelp | July 13, 2010 at 01:54 PM
Wow! Sounds like quite the adventure. Have a great time!
Posted by: Francie Kay | July 16, 2010 at 02:49 PM
This sounds like a great trip - can't wait to hear all about it!
Posted by: Katy Draper | July 21, 2010 at 06:23 AM