I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Off-Topic => Other Severe Medical Conditions => Topic started by: GraphicBass on January 29, 2011, 06:24:06 PM
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I've decided to re-frame how I refer to myself and my kidney failure (and other "issues" as well).
Rather than be a "kidney patient," I've decided that I am a customer of a business that provides healthcare services to consumers with a specific health problem. I am a customer who consumes dialysis services.
Since I adopted that stance, it's amazing how my attitude toward the whole dialysis thing has changed.
- I feel as if I am now in charge of my treatment again.
- I can make suggestions to center management, as they receive a great deal of money from my insurance company, which is possible because I pay premiums to the private carrier and Medicare.
- I can change centers if they don't satisfy my needs. I'm fortunate to live in an area with an abundance of centers within a 30 minute drive.
- I can manage my own care, keeping an eye on meds, procedures, etc., with the full expectation that any of these must be explained and justified to me at my request as a customer.
Doctors, suppliers, pharmacists, etc. all fall into this same viewpoint.
That's not to say I'm ungrateful about the services I receive (and pay for) or that I am arrogant and don't have respect for the many educated, experienced and kind people working to keep me alive. I am grateful and have great respect for my healthcare team.
But the more I am proud of who I am and the more I carry myself with the confidence of a fully-functional, if slightly worn adult, the more effective their treatment of me will be.
Am I crazy, delusional or in some sort of denial?
Perhaps. But it works for me.
Just sayin'
gary
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NO I love your attitude!!! :boxing; I think that is a great attitude to get you through this. :cheer: Whoo hoo.
Lisa
When I get my book up and going again, maybe you can add that. oNe of my questions is "how do you cope with this?"
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i love it........ and if i wernt so dogonne tired tonight, i'd have a better response .. but i really love wha tyou have said.
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Here's Bill's idea - Dialyzor -
http://ihatedialysis.com/forum/index.php?topic=2276.msg31681#msg31681
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Person on dialysis.
--or for short, POD.
8)
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Person on dialysis.
--or for short, POD.
8)
Person Using Dialysis
I'm on drugs, I use dialysis.
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Person Living With Dialysis
PLWD
8)
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Person on dialysis.
--or for short, POD.
8)
HEY HEY EVERYONE> THAT IS AN IDEA FOR A T-SHIRT!!!
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Person on dialysis.
--or for short, POD.
8)
POD is right, except it stands for Person Overcoming Dialysis.
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Absolutely superb - thank you for that perspective. WOW
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Great attitude, GraphicBass, I am sure it will serve you well in the future!
Because of my severe pre-dialysis vegetarian diet-restrictions I have convinced myself of:
My food is my fuel and nothing else.
(That attitude prevents me from getting depressed about my downtrodden boring diet...)
Good luck from Kristina.
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Cool replies and ideas for alternate names. "POD" either way, I like it!
kristina, I tried to look at "food as fuel" but was unable to sustain that attitude. I like food too much. More power to you. I know a great many vegetarians/vegans/raw food enthusists, and they've tried to help with tasty (to them) recipes, but I'm afraid I'm a carnivore at heart.
My wife and I (she researching and cooking, and me tasting!) fortunately have come up with a diet that suits us both, and that our renal dietician has said to be excellent and well-regimented. So I guess we're doing something right... heh.
g
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Love it! I have to tell my husband to start thinking like that. He is getting mighty depressed. Even though you go to a center you are still in charge of your life. Make it the best it can be!
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POD Person! :rofl;
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This is a awesome way to look at it. :2thumbsup;
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EXCELLENT EXCELLENT EXCELLENT!!!
I am going to follow your example.
One thing that switching to hemo is teaching me: is to conduct myself as an equal to those who are caring for me. i've always had a tendency to be rather fawning to try to get what I want/need. This is an important lesson for me to learn: how to ask for and accept help in a confident adult fashion, and how to assert myself when my needs butt against established policies. Adopting your attitude will help me very much. Thanks!
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Told my dialysis nurse that calling me a "patient" was the same as my calling her an "employee.'' Should have seen the look on her face -- she got it!
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Told my dialysis nurse that calling me a "patient" was the same as my calling her an "employee.'' Should have seen the look on her face -- she got it!
Wish I'd thought of that! :)
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I AM NOT A PATIENT, I'M A PERSON.
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The use of the word patient does not bother me at all. I am who I am. I am not defined by a word. I like the suggestions though.
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I don't go to dialysis...I go to the spa.