Naming problems

So, for the last few years, I have been using my second forename as my name in usage. Most people accepted that I was called John and if they knew my first forename was Michael, they just accepted that I was called John. And then, we changed health insurer in Ireland. Making sure that my … Continue reading Naming problems

Three points of access and a question from the 1980s

For dialysis to work, each patient needs access from the body to the machine. Back in December, when my kidneys failed, I was given a permacath in my chest so that blood can be taken from my body, fed into the machine, and pumped back into my body. I am glad to say that I … Continue reading Three points of access and a question from the 1980s

Changes afoot to dialysis

So, I've been on haemodialysis (HD) for just over two months now. Just settled into the rhythm of it. Sunday afternoons (after church), Tuesday mornings (first thing), and Friday lunchtimes are the days I have been going up to Tallaght University Hospital for my HD. Each day there are friendly faces from the nursing staff … Continue reading Changes afoot to dialysis

there is always hope.

Earlier this afternoon, I learnt that the doctors were not going to proceed with my expected plasma exchange as the damage to my kidney was just too much. Irreversible kidney damage due to Goodpasture Syndrome. There is always hope. It may be in a different form from that expected earlier - but there is always … Continue reading there is always hope.