Awesome Dialysis Patient

Robin Titterington is a dialysis patient who I know only through the dialysis_support group.
She constantly keeps her head up, and finds something bright and cheery EVERY day of her life.
It amazes me, and I look forward gleefully to reading her posts. She proves to be an encouragement each and every time I read what she has to say.

Today she had quite a time at dialysis, and her post really sort of “struck” me.
After all the talk I’ve been doing today with regards to patient care, it’s difficult for me to read her most recent update and not feel like I would have liked to have been there personally.

OH, today was . . . . something. I have a leg graft, both arms are used up
and the other leg does not have good circulation. I have a tough graft to
stick. I actually learned how to do the arterial myself but after two months
of misses with the venous, decided that was not my thing. I have one tech
and one LPN who can hit it consistently and we have an agreement that if I
don’t complain about waiting, one of them will do it. Or so I thought.

Today one of the newer techs, that I have never personally worked with at
all was setting everything up. As we got closer to “stick” time, I said,
“Monica or Marva will do it, right?” and she said (and I quote) “I want to
try!” I said, “no, I’m sorry, it;s a really hard stick and this is my last
access point. I don’t mind if you try if one of them are here guiding
you.” She totally ignored me. Then she started aiming and I realized she
had the wrong size needle. SIGH So she went and got the right kind.
Again, I said, “I really prefer Marva or Monica do this.” Nope, here she
comes. He just barely got it in, it HURT (I use emla) and I nearly pushed
her away and practically yelled, “YOU ARE DONE. Do not touch me, go get
Monica or Marva. NO, you are NOT going to do this.” She got Monica and I
pointed out to MOnica that I could tell the needle was not in at the right
angle. Monica agreed, we had to take that one out and start over.
Meanwhile, I’m saying (with her still there), “Monica, I told her no but she
ddin’t care what I said. Do people here not comprehend LIFELINE? This is
my last choice and I can’t have people just practicing on me.” Monica is
very easy going and just said, “oh, yeah, no problem.” Then the RN came
over with the heparin (sweet young thing had gone away) and I said “I did
not want to hurt her feelings but it’s a hard stick and my last access.” SHe
just kind of shrugged. Anyway, I guess Monica or Marva talked to th eyoung
one during their break because about an hour and a half later she came over
full of apologies saying she didnt mean to upset me. I said, “I’m not upset
but this is my LAST possible access and I need to protect it.” SIGH, she
just kept apologizing about upsetting me, not sure she really “got it.” She
took me off but we didn’t have much to say to each other. We’ll see what
happens Wednesday. Anyway, I came home and took the fabulous furries out
and we pretended it was a holiday!!! HUGS Robin (getting cheery again)

People deal with adversity in many ways, but you Robin are an encouragement to us all with your rich understanding of life and what matters. You continue to treat those around you with respect and courtesy - even when they have not earned it. You do so I might add, with a smile on your face. We can ALL learn something valuable from this.
You’re today’s awesome dialysis patient (a short list - so consider yourself AWESOME!)
*wink*

Recently I decided that I was going to start keeping track of Awesome Dialysis Patients - henceforth referred to as ADP’s.
(As I begin collecting these, you will be able to see all by filtering for the category “adp” )

Well here we are with another.
Bruce Schultz
Mr. Schultz has my utmost respect. He is celebrating 35 years on hemodialysis today.
No transplants, no PD, and if I remember correctly he got 34 years out of his first fistula!

Not only is Bruce a motivation and inspiration through his continual contribution to the DS Support List, but he is proof that dialysis patients can thrive rather than merely survive.
We are not defined by our illness, or its treatment - and it’s awesome to see someone not just saying this, but living it every day.

Thanks for your numerous insights Bruce, and your continued dedication to education and support of those in the “same boat”.

You are an awesome dialysis patient, and I salute you.

I once wrote about why I’m awesome as a dialysis patient. It was meant tongue in cheek of course (I would never admit to being so awesome).
I’ve been thinking recently though - there are a lot of real “awesome dialysis patients” (or ADP’s as I will begin calling them).
I think I’m going to start keeping track. To be clear, people might be an ADP for various reasons, not just because of their fortitude or ability to tell a dialysis joke, but for any reason I deem “awesome”.

Bill Peckham
I’ve mentioned this man’s name before - and will again in the future I’m certain. This is a true ADP. Bill’s ambitious goal is to visit 50 different countries - wait for it -
…
while on dialysis.

Wow

Nor is this ambitious goal overly ardent; Bill has already visited 5 different continents, and has kept track of many of his adventures via pictures and writing in his blog.

Bill blogs at Global Dialysis, and has recently been featured in an educational dialysis video.
a great video for any patients interested in home modalities

Bill has done an amazing job of keeping his head up, and remaining active in the “kidney community”. He is an amazing support to people through his contributions to the dialysis_support list, and is inspiring and educating people daily through his willingness to share his knowledge and experience selflessly.

Kudos to you Bill - you are truly a role model for many of us.

Keep smilin!