Gonna be going on the cycler soon

[fearless]

JLM,
I REALLY feel for you.  I did the majority of my years of PD using Baxter, and although it was no piece of cake, when the clinic was finally successful in pressuring me to switch to Liberty (I resisted, simply not wanting to give up the familiar Pro-choice, which I could do blind-folded and half asleep)  I thought I was going to lose my mind!  The cones, the lengthy set-up, the inflexibility of the therapy, not being able to do partial drains, etc. etc. etc.  and one of the machines I tried was so noisy I thought it was going to jump off the table!  I was near to transitioning to hemo, and that machine pushed me over the edge.
Having to take care of someone on top of that would have been absolutely impossible for me.  i honestly think you must have super powers to be accomplishing what you are.  Make sure your clinic is aware of every single struggle you are having with your PD therapy.  Fresenius needs to find solutions for these problems. 

[JLM]

I think that I am dealing with the machine OK, but because I don't want to do an exchange during the day I am on it for 12 - 13 hours at night.  It's bad because it's so long, yet it's good because I have to be in another room separated from my Husband who has ALZ.  He gets quite nasty at times and being hooked up is like a mini vacation!  I have my own TV and can watch shows _I_ enjoy.

I have the Liberty in our living room along with my supplies and a 36 inch TV.  My patient line is 20 feet long and because the way our house is laid out I can get to the bathroom, the bedroom and the kitchen. 

I have done the Baxter manuals because we spent 3+ month in WI where I had to use Baxter because the wasn't A Fresenius clinic there.  The nurse there told me that is we vacation there next summer that I would have to get their cycler.  The only difference I see is the hook up procedure and if my clinic in TX will ship the supplies what difference what Neph and clinic I see just for the summer.  I know, I know, it's the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$....!

[fearless]

If you see a different doctor, and he's affiliated with a different clinic, then, yes, I bet they require you to change suppliers.  But holy crap what a billing/medicare nightmare that must be!

Good luck on your path!

[JLM]

Been there, done that, but I didn't have to buy their T-shirt