This morning, I arrived at the dialysis unit in the Midland Regional Hospital at Tullamore and started to put the lines into the dialysis machine myself. This was done, then it was time to get on to taking away the scabs on my needle entry points in my left arm, and then put the needles in.

I am pleased to report that I got both needles in easily this morning. It was easier without a nurse standing by watching. OK, so it was also a little scary — but I knew that if I needed them, I could get help.

I know that I am the only patient here who is self-cannulating, and the only one who is putting the lines on the machine as well. This may change.