Hospital celebrates patient's dedication to treatmentAlyssa Smith
Northern News Services
Published Wednesday, June 23, 2010
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - A Yellowknife man who has spent the last 24 years of his life with only one kidney celebrated 16 years of successful treatment at the Stanton Territorial Hospital last Friday.
"I feel great," 47-year-old Larry Sangris said smiling.
Hospital staff shared coffee and cake with Sangris to celebrate his commitment to his treatment.
In the last 16 years, he has missed his three-times-weekly treatment at Stanton Territorial Hospital only three times.
When asked if he was going back for seconds on cake, Sangris pointed at his side and said, "I wish. I have to watch my sugar."
People who use dialysis to filter their blood like Sangris are bound by strict dietary restrictions. Fluid intake should be minimal, things like caffeine and sugar should be minimized, and alcohol is out of the question.
"The last time I drank alcohol was 1994," he said.
Sangris said his mother is the reason he's been so vigilant.
"I'm the one who takes care of her," he said. "She makes sure I keep my appointments so she knows I'll be around a little longer."
Rhoda Walsh has been with Stanton Territorial Hospital as the manager of medical services for the past three years. She said that because dialysis patients spend so much time at the hospital, the staff tries to create a home-like environment for them.
"We become their family," she said, adding part of that is taking notice of birthdays, holidays, and successes like Sangris'.
"We celebrate everything," she said.
Walsh said Sangris had been reminding hospital staff for weeks that his anniversary was approaching.
She said this type of treatment is typical for the elderly patients who, for whatever reason, cannot self-administer treatment, and those who's bodies reject transplants.
"This is his life," Walsh explained. "What he eats, what he drinks, revolves around dialysis."
There are two options available for patients who experience kidney failure: a transplant; or dialysis, where waste and toxins are filtered from the patients blood using an external method.
Walsh explained patients who use the method of blood filtration are on the treatment for an average of five to eight years.
"16 years is a long time to be on dialysis," Walsh said.
Sangris said he didn't always take such good care of himself; his original kidney failed in 1986 from alcohol consumption.
On December 23, 1989, Sangris was given a kidney transplant. He spent five years without dialysis, but said he stopped taking care of himself.
"I stopped taking my medication and I drank," he said. "Then I lost my kidney because I wasn't behaving myself."
When Sangris started his treatment in 1994, the closest dialysis facility was in Edmonton. So, 16 years ago when his kidney failed, he travelled to Edmonton and lived there for the next two years.
When a dialysis unit opened at the Stanton Territorial Hospital in 1996, he was able to move back to Yellowknife.
"I got a second chance," he said.
When the dialysis unit opened at the hospital in 1996, Yellowknife patients who had to relocate to Edmonton for treatment were able to move back North.
The hospital currently cares for eight patients who use hemodialysis treatment, including Sangris.
He said he gets tired of going to the hospital so much, but doesn't get upset about it.
"I'm happy about it - I mean, I'm still alive. That's why I'm still here, I'm a happy person," he said.
Sangris' hemodialysis treatment is covered by territorial health benefits.
http://nnsl.com/northern-news-services/stories/papers/jun23_10hs.html
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