Re: pd or hemo/hemo while travelling

[Guest guest]

I don't know about Australia. In Canada, if you are on hemodialysis, you can

travel anywhere in Canada (which is pretty big), as long as you get into a

dialysis centre. But, if you travel outside of the country, you have to pay

for your dialysis sessions wherever you go. However, if you're on PD, you

can do PD anywhere, and as long as it's a place where supplies can be

delivered, Baxter will deliver your PD supplies anywhere in the world at no

cost. So, in a case like yours, if you were in Canada, PD would be the

obvious choice. Perhaps you could find out if they have a similar

arrangement in Australia.

At the time, , I don't think I would have chosen PD. I would chose home

hemo if it was available though. I would rather do it all in one 3-4 hour

session and then be free of dialysis in between rather than do it multiple

times during the day or be tied to a cycler at night. But, I sure wouldn't

try to influence anybody's choice of dialysis method. It's too personal a

choice. Some who chose PD do so precisely because otherwise they would have

to travel back and forth from the country to the city for hemodialysis. I

live right in the city, so it's not a problem.

Those needles look big, but it doesn't hurt at all if you use Emla cream.

Eventually, the nerves deaden and you don't feel a thing even without any

freezing at all - unless they move to another spot, which they do

periodically. I stopped using any kind of freezing about a year ago. Other

then Emla cream, other options they have for us where I go is freezing

liquid, or they can use a freezing needle. I forget the name of it, but it's

a tiny needle that freezes the spot completely. Then you absolutely don't

feel the dialysis needle at all.

Sometimes, I sit there at dialysis, get bored and I think, geez, I should

have chosen PD, but overall, I'm satisfied with my choice. PD sounds ideal

to many, and it is for many people. However, there are also some who aren't

very comfortable with that extra litre or two of dialysate fluid in their

abdomen.

Pierre

pd or hemo/hemo while travelling

> Hi everyone.

>

> Well, two days ago I went to the local Dialysis Info day at the

> hospital. Because of this group I was already pretty well-informed

> and nothing came as a shock(except perhaps the SIZE of the needles

> for hemo--in fact, somehow 'needle' seems like a misnomer. And the

> size of the fistula, which makes sense after seeing the needles).

>

> So I am trying to decide what to do if the preemptive transplant does

> not pan out and I have to start dialysis. I have weighed the pros

> and cons and they come out pretty even for different reasons.

>

> Here in Australia they seem to push home treatment. It is socialised

> medicine and the dialysis centers are so full that sometimes there is

> a 2 year wait for a spot at the one closest to home. I am a little

> apprehensive, but they have a good success record and take their time

> in training you (8-12 weeks or as long as it takes for you to feel

> confident).

>

> The only problem is travelling. I am a US citizen and would want to

> visit home or at least feel like I could if needed. I do not have

> any US based health insurance any more and travel insurance would be

> impossible to get. Does anyone know what options are available?

> Would I have to pay out of pocket? Something tells me that would be

> prohibitively expensive.

>

> I know this wouldn't be a problem with PD, but.. I am just so

> undecided. Just curious, Pierre. Would you have chosen PD if you

> could have?

>

> Thanks for letting me ramble. Hopefully I won't have to make any

> decisions for a while yet.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Gosh I am sorry to hear you are now having to decide on dialysis methods. I

am about one month behind you as I have been referred to the dialysis

information day in early September and I have to decide the same thing. I am

still

hoping I have a year and a half before starting, but my doctor has decided I

need to be transferred to the renal care team that takes over from 20% through

ESRD.

I can't give you advise on methods of dialysis yet, but just wanted you to

know you are not alone.

In a message dated 8/6/2004 4:21:56 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

royal1@... writes:

> Hi everyone.

>

> Well, two days ago I went to the local Dialysis Info day at the

> hospital. Because of this group I was already pretty well-informed

> and nothing came as a shock(except perhaps the SIZE of the needles

> for hemo--in fact, somehow 'needle' seems like a misnomer. And the

> size of the fistula, which makes sense after seeing the needles).

>

> So I am trying to decide what to do if the preemptive transplant does

> not pan out and I have to start dialysis. I have weighed the pros

> and cons and they come out pretty even for different reasons.

>

> Here in Australia they seem to push home treatment. It is socialised

> medicine and the dialysis centers are so full that sometimes there is

> a 2 year wait for a spot at the one closest to home. I am a little

> apprehensive, but they have a good success record and take their time

> in training you (8-12 weeks or as long as it takes for you to feel

> confident).

>

> The only problem is travelling. I am a US citizen and would want to

> visit home or at least feel like I could if needed. I do not have

> any US based health insurance any more and travel insurance would be

> impossible to get. Does anyone know what options are available?

> Would I have to pay out of pocket? Something tells me that would be

> prohibitively expensive.

>

> I know this wouldn't be a problem with PD, but.. I am just so

> undecided. Just curious, Pierre. Would you have chosen PD if you

> could have?

>

> Thanks for letting me ramble. Hopefully I won't have to make any

> decisions for a while yet.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Rita,

That is so sweet. Thank you so much. I actually just found out yesterday,

and although I was expecting it, for some reason I was not ready to hear it, so

your post is a great reminder for me.

He never brings anything into our lives that He won't give us the strength to

make it through.

In a message dated 8/7/2004 7:42:47 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

jrzyrita@... writes:

> ,

>

> Every time I think of the prospect of dialysis drawing nearer for you, I get

> a little weak in the knees. But then I am reminded of your constant

> strength and determination to forge ahead and the positive attitude you have.

It is

> truly inspiring to me personally! I feel if can handle it , so too

> can I. You know - " if he brings you to it, he'll bring you through it " . Much

> love, Rita

[Guest guest]

Thanks Pierre...that gives me even more hope. Just gotta get my baby girl

through college first!

In a message dated 8/8/2004 6:33:24 AM Pacific Daylight Time,

pierre-groups@... writes:

> ,

>

> You might make it yet! I had 13 months between my treatment options classes

> and actually starting dialysis.

>

> Pierre

>

[Guest guest]

,

You might make it yet! I had 13 months between my treatment options classes

and actually starting dialysis.

Pierre

Re: pd or hemo/hemo while travelling

> Hi ,

>

> Gosh I am sorry to hear you are now having to decide on dialysis methods.

I

> am about one month behind you as I have been referred to the dialysis

> information day in early September and I have to decide the same thing. I

am still

> hoping I have a year and a half before starting, but my doctor has decided

I

> need to be transferred to the renal care team that takes over from 20%

through

> ESRD.

>

> I can't give you advise on methods of dialysis yet, but just wanted you to

> know you are not alone.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I hope so too Aruna, but ultimately God is our provider, and I have to trust

Him for the timing. I don't intend to go down without a fight though :-)

In a message dated 8/9/2004 12:11:33 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

prmanju2@... writes:

> I hope and wish you get those 1 1/2yrs before you go

> into dialysis

>

>

> Lots of love

>

> Aruna

>

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks ! I have talked to my Neph about doing a preemptive like you did,

and hopefully we can accomplish that. There are already about 6 people from

my church that have asked about being tested as potential donors. Talk about

being humbled!!!! I guess only a person who has had to face accepting an

organ like you have can understand the overwhelming feelings it brings up in me

that so many people would want to give me a kidney. It is hard to put my

feelings into words, but I know you understand exactly what I am feeling.

In a message dated 8/9/2004 12:14:14 PM Pacific Daylight Time,

garymattcohen@... writes:

> Have you done any thinking about a preemptive tx like I did? There was a

> story on the Today Show on Sunday regarding a woman who needed a kidney and

put

> an ad in her church bulletin. She got an altruistic donor (a female NYPD

> officer and fellow church member) this way.

>

> My thoughts and prayers are with you.

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Welcome to the world of dialysis, the end of the beginning.

Pierre has been on dialysis about 6 months more than I have and like

Pierre, I was worried at first but as you can see we are both alive

and kicking and really enjoying life, making diaysis fit around our

world. I went on holiday last Christmas to South West Rocks a small

coastal town midway between Coff's Harbour and Port Macquarie. I had

to travel about 100ks for dialysis to Port Macquarie. It was not a

problem, it could not have been easier. There is an Australian

website showing all the places in Australia you can dialyse. Just go

to the web site http://www.kidney.org.au and click on the dialysis

unit finder. Then contact the desired hospital and make your

appointment.

At my dialysis centre in Sydney, quite a few people have travelled

overseas without any problem. You can find a list of 115 overseas

hospitals catering for travellers:

http://www.dialysisfinder.com (for USA)

http://www.renalweb.com

http://www.globaldialysis.com

Re dialysis, take it one step at a time, it is not as bad as we

imagine predialysis. You will have a million thoughts and queries

passing through your mind. Just keep asking your questions and

getting the answers!

Derrick

Sydney Australia

> Hi everyone.

>

> Well, two days ago I went to the local Dialysis Info day at the

> hospital. Because of this group I was already pretty well-informed

> and nothing came as a shock(except perhaps the SIZE of the needles

> for hemo--in fact, somehow 'needle' seems like a misnomer. And the

> size of the fistula, which makes sense after seeing the needles).

>

> So I am trying to decide what to do if the preemptive transplant

does

> not pan out and I have to start dialysis. I have weighed the pros

> and cons and they come out pretty even for different reasons.

>

> Here in Australia they seem to push home treatment. It is

socialised

> medicine and the dialysis centers are so full that sometimes there

is

> a 2 year wait for a spot at the one closest to home. I am a little

> apprehensive, but they have a good success record and take their

time

> in training you (8-12 weeks or as long as it takes for you to feel

> confident).

>

> The only problem is travelling. I am a US citizen and would want

to

> visit home or at least feel like I could if needed. I do not have

> any US based health insurance any more and travel insurance would

be

> impossible to get. Does anyone know what options are available?

> Would I have to pay out of pocket? Something tells me that would be

> prohibitively expensive.

>

> I know this wouldn't be a problem with PD, but.. I am just so

> undecided. Just curious, Pierre. Would you have chosen PD if you

> could have?

>

> Thanks for letting me ramble. Hopefully I won't have to make any

> decisions for a while yet.

>

>