PD - The nuts and bolts
So many people have been asking me about peritoneal dialysis lately, so I thought I would write up a quick explanation of the process.
The first piece is the access point - or catheter. The catheter is connected to a tube that comes out of my abdomen about 2 inches to the left of my belly button. The exit site (where the tube leaves my body) has to be treated with extreme care to avoid peritonitis, an infection of the abdominal lining. I have a whole cart full of medical supplies that I use to keep that area clean. A large portion of my training is also devoted to cleanliness - proper handwashing and hygiene - to prevent infection. Even little things, like keeping the shower head cleaned of all mineral deposits and using disposable paper towels to dry your hands, are strategies to minimize the risk of infection.
The catheter itself hangs freely, though I cover mine up with 4x4 sterile gauze pads and tape it to my abdomen so it doesn't get dirty or yanked. They make special belts that help to hold the catheter in place, and I plan on ordering some of those soon. The tape can be brutal on your skin over time.
There are two main ways that I'll be doing dialysis - manual and with the cycler. The cycler is simply a mechanized version of the same process using a machine that will warm the solution to body temperature and then "do its thing" while I sleep. This is a great video showing the therapy process.
All in all, the process should be relatively simple once I finish training and get things going. I'm a bit nervous about the sanitation part - so many things to remember! But I know that I'll feel better once I start therapy, and doing it at home in the evenings is such a huge relief. I'm so glad that I don't have to go to a center and sit in a chair for 4 hours having my blood cleaned! The only weird aspect so far has been the feeling you get when the fluid is draining. If you can imagine a cup with a straw. When the fluid gets low, the straw makes a slurping suction noise. That is the same thing that happens to the peritoneum. So, it feels like a suction cup inside your abdomen. So strange! I believe that once I get used to that pinching feeling, the PD will be a good option for me. The catheter is permanent, so I will have to have it surgically removed when I get a new kidney. Until then, Thelma and Louise will probably be grateful for some extra help!
The first piece is the access point - or catheter. The catheter is connected to a tube that comes out of my abdomen about 2 inches to the left of my belly button. The exit site (where the tube leaves my body) has to be treated with extreme care to avoid peritonitis, an infection of the abdominal lining. I have a whole cart full of medical supplies that I use to keep that area clean. A large portion of my training is also devoted to cleanliness - proper handwashing and hygiene - to prevent infection. Even little things, like keeping the shower head cleaned of all mineral deposits and using disposable paper towels to dry your hands, are strategies to minimize the risk of infection.
The catheter itself hangs freely, though I cover mine up with 4x4 sterile gauze pads and tape it to my abdomen so it doesn't get dirty or yanked. They make special belts that help to hold the catheter in place, and I plan on ordering some of those soon. The tape can be brutal on your skin over time.
There are two main ways that I'll be doing dialysis - manual and with the cycler. The cycler is simply a mechanized version of the same process using a machine that will warm the solution to body temperature and then "do its thing" while I sleep. This is a great video showing the therapy process.
All in all, the process should be relatively simple once I finish training and get things going. I'm a bit nervous about the sanitation part - so many things to remember! But I know that I'll feel better once I start therapy, and doing it at home in the evenings is such a huge relief. I'm so glad that I don't have to go to a center and sit in a chair for 4 hours having my blood cleaned! The only weird aspect so far has been the feeling you get when the fluid is draining. If you can imagine a cup with a straw. When the fluid gets low, the straw makes a slurping suction noise. That is the same thing that happens to the peritoneum. So, it feels like a suction cup inside your abdomen. So strange! I believe that once I get used to that pinching feeling, the PD will be a good option for me. The catheter is permanent, so I will have to have it surgically removed when I get a new kidney. Until then, Thelma and Louise will probably be grateful for some extra help!
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