| Larry Krzewinski 2005-06-03, 5:57 pm |
| On Fri, 3 Jun 2005 10:13:03 -0400, patriark363@webtv.net (Tom Gower)
wrote:
> Thanks Belinda for the upbeat post. Like you I don't find
>dialysis painful, The techs are very good at inserting the needles, but
>I find it uncomfortable. The reclining chairs are not at all
>comfortable, and of course when you are in one position for four hours,
>it can become a long time. At the dialysis center I attend, the patients
>share televisions, and depending on who gets there first seems to think
>they control the tv for the entire four hours.
> I have asked the managers of the facility to please turn some
>of the lights off, the place is lit up so bright that sleeping is almost
>impossible, but it seems that my request has fallen of deaf ears. Have
>any of you had this same problem?. I have resorted to wearing dark sun
>glasses, but sleep is still very difficult due to the noise of the
>machine alarms etc. going off. as well as the conversations of the
>employees, who can be very loud at times. Don't get me wrong, I am
>greatful for dialysis, when you consider what the alternative is, and
>overall it is most tolerable.......Good idea about the laptop,
>unfortunatly, my facility doesn't have that capability........
> I am very interested in finding out how things are done in the
>UK. and elswere around the world. Please post more info re; your
>experiences on dialysis there. Perhaps we could all benefit from the
>experience I apoligize for the long post.........
Dialysis is more of an inconvenience than anything else. I'm not sure
if you're aware of it or not but 40 years ago people were fighting for
the privilege of being dialyzed and staying alive. There were
committees deciding who would be chosen for dialysis and who would be
left to die. There were age limits for dialysis back then as well.
Today dialysis is universal in the western world.
Dialysis may be uncomfortable for some but it keeps you alive. Anyone
who feels otherwise is not seeing the forest for the trees. Dialysis
kept me alive for almost nine years until I received a kidney
transplant in 2001. Everyone has a right to gripe but one should
count their blessings before becoming too critical.
If the noise bothers you buy earplugs. If the lights are bright buy a
sleep mask. If the needle insertion hurts use Emla cream. There are
ways of coping with these minor inconveniences. Always keep in mind
what the alternative to dialysis is and that is either get an
immediate kidney transplant or die.
Larry
|