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JackAdams's avatar

Do any Flutherers (or their immediate family members) use a kidney dialysis machine?

Asked by JackAdams (6574points) September 2nd, 2008

I have a very good buddy in Brooklyn NY who requires kidney dialysis, three or four times/week. This is very inconvenient for him, in that he must travel several miles to the actual machine, and spend a few hours, hooked up to it, each time.

I’ve offered to donate one of my own kidneys to him, but he says that cannot be done, in his case. So, I thought about maybe getting him a home dialysis machine, so he wouldn’t have to travel at all to get his dialysis done, but I have no idea how to go about doing this, nor whether it should even be attempted.

I must confess my total ignorance on this entire subject, because I know nothing about home dialysis machines, their cost, nor even if the idea is feasible for my friend.

Yes, I have Googled this question, in a way, but the articles I have seen, don’t really appear to address all of the questions I have, regarding this subject, and I’m hoping that one of you might be able to educate me about this subject, and what I might be able to do, to make my friend’s life a little more comfortable, as well as making it last a whole lot longer.

Thank you in advance, for whatever advice you might have for me.

September 2, 2008, 5:27 AM EDT

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2 Answers

augustlan's avatar

I can’t answer the cost and procurement parts of your question, but can offer some insight on the benefits. My father was on dialysis for several years before he passed away. After 2 years of trips to the dialysis center, he got a home dialysis machine. He felt it much improved his quality of life to have it at home.

augustlan (47745points)“Great Answer” (1points) Flag as…
JackAdams's avatar

Thank you for that.

I also believe that it would improve both the quality and longevity of my buddy’s life, but one of the problems I am having with getting him to consider the idea, is that in the Brooklyn area, when he goes to the center for his thrice-weekly dialysis, there is always someone “new” to sit next to, and with whom to visit.

It’s not much fun, sitting at home alone, he claims, listening to the clicks and hums of the machine, and having no one new with whom to have a conversation.

You know about the expression, “Misery loves company.”

September 2, 2008, 12:52 PM EDT

JackAdams (6574points)“Great Answer” (1points) Flag as…

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