So.

I have reached the dubious milestone of having failed kidneys.

It’s a rather unique experience knowing that you’re alive because of a machine.

It took me a little while to fully digest this.

The sense of dependence is very strong! Not only on ther machine, but on the technicians, the nurses, and the whole string of people and systems that make hemodialysis possible.

That sense of dependence is quickly joined by a great sense of gratitude!

The specifics:  After having hemo at the hospital for two weeks, I was scheduled to have hemo at the dialysis center on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 PM to 1:00 AM. This allowed me to continue to work full-time, get home, eat, digest, and get to the center, about 5 miles away. (I was often called in earlier when there was a chair available. That was nice when they did that.)

Aside from the actual experience of being dialyzed, just observing the other patients at the center was a real education. Most of the people there were there because of diabetes. One man would come in, remove his prosthetic leg, and attempt to “get comfortable” in the chair. Another woman had one leg and was blind. Young and old. Wow.

For those who haven’t experienced hemodialysis, I can tell you that the size of the needles that are put into you seem very, very large! The technicians start off with smaller gage needles, and over a few sessions, you graduate to the maximum, most efficient gage.

I get weighed when I come in. I go to my chair. The technicians get out “my” artificial kidney, they plug in the tubes, plug me in with the needles, set the machine, and I get to watch TV, listen to my Walkman, write a bit (using my left, non-dominant hand!), or just rest. Some patients could sleep. I never could. And I tried to make the time pass.

When there was a lull, sometimes I would talk sports with some of the technicians.

But, typically, the time did not move swiftly.

Finally, after about three hours, the required amount of fluid was removed from my body. (For me, I figured it was about seven pounds per session. Heck of a way to lose weight. At this time, I no longer urinated any meaningful amount.)

The technicians unplugged me and the machine, and I had to wait about five full minutes to stabilize. After losing so much weight so quickly, the heart and blood pressure are very unstable. The technicians and nurses make sure that when I stand up, I don’t pass out. I have heard that it does happen. I took my time before I felt ready to leave.

Lastly, I get weighed before I leave. Then, I drive home, hoping to get a few hours of sleep to face the next morning!

But other things were happening in the meantime!

Stay tuned!

Peace and Blessings!

Coach Richie Perl

Certified Professional Coach

Certified Trainer of Neuro-Linguistic Programming