As a child I loved going to dialysis with my dad. He was one of the first patients at a self-care unit outside the hospital. I would do things around the unit for the nurses and patients. I was the "remote control" for the one t.v the unit had. Everyone had a turn with what they wanted to watch. I also use to sit and play chess with my dad. I remember these times fondly as was not at all scared. He was on dialysis from the time I turned five so I didn't know any different.
As a parent now on dialysis I was so worried about how it would change my own kids childhood. They have been so great about the whole thing. They were 8 and 11 at the time. I am doing PD. There was a lot of explaining about "tubes" and "bags" and mum needing a new kidney. Apparently Bart Simpson has donated a kidney so my eight year old thought it was no big deal he was happy to give me one! They understand dialysis is just something mum has to do and when she's finished she's free to help with homework, cook the dinner, wash their clothes and be their taxi.
I try to do the best I can to give them a "normal" childhood. Having a sick mum is not much fun for them, but hey they have a mum!
I Hate Dialysis Message Board
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