Peritoneal dialysis life-changing for some patients
In Saskatchewan, the number of people needing kidney dialysis is increasing. In the last five years, the number of people on dialysis in the Saskatoon program alone has increased by 18 per cent.
Cecile Stoughton and Rodney Bates both live with kidney disease and both are part of the peritoneal dialysis (PD) program based out of St Paul’s Hospital in Saskatoon. This type of dialysis can be done in the home.
For Cecile, the diagnosis of kidney disease came unexpectedly. After arriving to work her night shift at a care home, she felt funny, so had her blood pressure taken. It was very high. Later she was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease. As Cecile remembers “I had four kids, worked full time and farmed… I didn’t really believe it. I felt fine and carried on… I never thought I’d need dialysis.”
Rodney found out he had kidney issues after being treated for issues with his prostate. Much like Cecile, he didn’t necessarily believe his diagnosis. “It was a bit of a shocker,” he remembers.
Cecile’s disease progressed to needing dialysis approximately eight years ago. She was on hemodialysis first, then had a kidney transplant in 2018. After her transplant failed, she started doing hemodialysis again, and switched to PD in August 2021.
When Rodney’s kidney function declined to the point of needing dialysis, he started on hemodialysis in Saskatoon. Driving three days per week from their farm by Prince Albert to Saskatoon was challenging and he quickly switched to PD. He feels this type of dialysis is much better suited to his lifestyle as a farmer. He can do the dialysis at night when he is sleeping so it doesn’t interfere with his busy days. While on PD, “you can do everything as long as you’re careful,” he said.
Cecile finds that throughout her journey with kidney disease, the most challenging thing is not knowing what’s going to happen in the years ahead; but with support from her doctors and her family, she is coping with the challenge of home dialysis. She keeps her positive attitude by keeping a routine in her life and doing things she enjoys.
Kidney disease can sneak up on you, but with support from family, friends and medical team, it is possible to live a good life with kidney disease. For more information or support for kidney disease patients visit www.kidney.ca.
