By Elizabeth Aquino
My name is Elizabeth Aquino. I am also a home hemodialysis patient living in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. My journey began in 2001 at 38 years old.
In January 2001 I was diagnosed with an auto-immune disease called multiple myeloma and renal failure, which was secondary to the disease. Because of my disease, a transplant was not a viable option unless I had a stem cell transplant and chemotherapy. Also, the drugs taken after transplant were going to be another issue for me. My decision was to live on dialysis.
From the start, I had a very positive outlook on my kidney failure. I refused to let this situation depress me. My nurses where all very amazed at my chipper attitude towards it. My reasoning was "Why would I let something like this stop me? Things could be worse. There is hope!"
I transitioned to nocturnal dialysis every 48 hours, eight hours a night. Once I began to do more frequent dialysis, I noticed an immediate change in my health. No more medications! I was healthier than I have ever been in years! Blood results to proved it. Freer to dedicate my energy and time to what matters most to me—being a mother to my children and a wife to my husband, while pursuing my career goals.
I work full time for the Ontario Government. I work in training and development at the Centre for Leadership and Learning. I love my work. My job was very important to me. I had to consider and answer the question, “Can I manage to work and take care of my family while on dialysis?” The short answer was yes, why not? It isn’t necessarily easy, but then, work isn’t easy. With planning, determination and a positive mental attitude, going to work while living with dialysis made it easy for me to work. I admit, I do have my ups and downs with my health but work has provided me with a feeling of self-worth, as well as co-workers who offer me support and friendship.
My advice to all dialysis patients, living your life as normal as possible will help you. Go to work, do as much as you can do physically to keep your mind and body as fit as possible. Don't ever use dialysis as an excuse to get out of things that you can do. But most of all, stay positive. You will be surprised what a positive outlook can accomplish.
My three-step approach for my success with home dialysis: I have great support from Dr. Szaky Heather, my nurse and all the other Home Hemodialysis nurses at York Central Hospital in Richmond Hill, Ontario. I keep a positive and open attitude. I am an advocate for myself and I manage my disease as much as I can. Dialysis is not the end of the road—there is an amazing and wonderful life with dialysis! I have been on dialysis for 10 years now. I’m leading a life fairly close to the one I lived before all this happened.
Had you asked me a few years ago if I thought this was possible, I would have said, “No way.” But time, love, patience, modern technology and the support of great professionals has made it possible.
Home hemodialysis has meant all the difference in my life and my family’s life. It’s given me back a comforting sense of being normal! I moved from being a patient living with kidney disease to being a productive member of society who happens to be on dialysis.
I thought my life would have been completely altered. It wasn’t altered. I just made a slight detour in the road of life. Along the way, I had so many medical procedures that I lost track, but I never lost focus of my goal of living a full life. I enjoy living my life… living on dialysis is only a part of my life.
Patients can live a long time with dialysis. Everyone has to decide what their own happiness is. I hope that my story can be inspiring to all people living on dialysis.
