Kidney Matters - Issue 17 Summer 2022

24
Twenty-five years on dialysis
– a time to celebrate! by James Anderton
FEATURE ARTICLE
A kidney transplant is not an option for everyone on dialysis. For those who have to
accept that dialysis will be a feature of their life for many years, celebrating life around it
is integral to accepting this prognosis. James Anderton tells us about his mother Joan’s
25-year journey through haemodialysis (HD) and how she embraces – and often enjoys –
her ‘part-time job and social club’ at her dialysis unit.
Despite numerous consultations, her GP never
made the connection. It was only by chance, at a
routine medical examination as part of a mortgage
application, that another doctor suggested kidney
disease and referred her for further tests. These tests
confirmed a significantly decreased kidney function.
For some time, Joan was able to manage this with
medication, restricted fluids, and diet. But, within a
few years, it became clear that dialysis would be a
necessary next step.
This January, my mother celebrated her 25th
anniversary as an HD patient. A significant milestone
by anyone’s reckoning, this seems even more
remarkable in light of what was expected all those
years ago. A quarter of a century is a long time to be a
dialysis patient - even now. Twenty-five years ago, it
would have seemed almost unthinkable. To mark the
occasion, as a family, we enjoyed an afternoon tea: my
mother and father, Joan and John, my younger brother
Jeremy and me.
Although a shock, her diagnosis of chronic kidney
disease (CKD) had been a relief for Joan. She was
finally able to put a name to what had been making her
feel so ill. In hindsight, her symptoms had been classic:
oedema (swelling), lethargy, hypertension (high blood
pressure), migraines, itching, muscle cramps, restless
legs, excessive thirst... to name a few!
Joan’s first dialysis session
In January 1997, Joan attended her first HD session at
Dellwood, a small hospital on the outskirts of Reading.
She recalls vividly how frightened she was, how ill
she felt and the kindness of the nurse who looked
after her that day. By the time she got home, Joan
felt terrible and was sorely tempted not to go back.
Thankfully, she changed her mind. Later it transpired
that she felt unwell due to excessive toxins and
fluid that were removed during the first session and
because of allergic reaction to one of the chemicals
in the reusable dialyser cylinders. Before the days of
disposable, single-use dialysers, the reusable ones
were steam cleaned and re-used several times.
Before long, Joan had adjusted to the new lifestyle
and has many fond memories of her time at Dellwood,
with staff and fellow patients. Later, Joan would go on
to attend dialysis at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in
Reading and, eventually, at a satellite unit in Windsor,
closer to home.
Medical-diary clashes and getting away
for a break
While Joan became accustomed to the routine of
dialysis, it is a major commitment. Dialysis takes up a
significant amount of time, affecting how she plans
her week. An ongoing frustration is trying to access
services or clinics that only operate on certain days,
and often conflict with dialysis sessions.
Travelling is another frustration, planning alternative
dialysis arrangements can be complicated, although not
impossible. Joan has enjoyed some wonderful holidays,
returning several times to a hotel in Cornwall that has its
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