Living with dialysis
FONTAINEBLEAU – To receive dialysis does not mean that your life is over. Dialysis patient tells his story.
To find out that one may need dialysis after having renal failure could be a shock, but Fontainebleau resident, Bernard de Haas is living proof that one could still have a full life even when having to live with dialysis.
De Haas looked relaxed as he lay flat in a special chair at the Baobab Kidney Care clinic in Randburg for his weekly dialysis session. De Haas receives four hours of dialysis three times a week. Haemodialysis, which is the kind that De Haas receives at the clinic involves a process where blood flows through an artificial kidney in order to be filtered. This is needed after renal failure.
Haemodialysis, which is the kind that De Haas receives at the clinic involves a process where blood flows through an artificial kidney in order to be filtered. This is needed after renal failure.
Dialysis is the process where waste products and excess fluids are artificially removed from the body, because of the improper functioning of the kidney.
De Haas explained that he has had to undergo dialysis for seven years after having kidney failure due to diabetes. “It is a an entire process of mentally preparing yourself for this procedure, but once I went for the first time I was prepared,” said De Haas. He explained that the only way one could live with this is when you completely accept it and realise that it is just a way of life. “Without dialysis I wont be able to live,” said the 82-year-old De Haas.
He explained that the only way one could live with this is when you completely accept it and realise that it is just a way of life. “Without dialysis I wont be able to live,” said the 82-year-old De Haas.
“My children live in Durban and if I want to visit them I just have to plan the trip around my dialysis. I either go after my dialysis or arrange to have a place there that could do it,” said De Haas. De Haas receives dialysis every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for four hours and said that he cannot skip a day at all.
“I feel tired afterwards and only want to sleep if I don’t find something to keep me busy. My wife comes with me every time and she is definitely a huge support,” said De Haas. He has been married to Patricia for 25 years.
It is important to remember that renal failure does not only affect elderly people, but children as young as eight might have to undergo dialysis. “One can live a normal life and can have a job if you plan your life around it,” said De Haas.
Details: Baobab Kidney Care: 071 493 3217.
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