Drake endures 32 years of dialysis

Drake endures 32 years of dialysis

Originally published 09:39 p.m., April 29, 2009
Updated 09:39 p.m., April 29, 2009

If you were to ask her it’s just another aspect of her life, but Genell Drake’s continued endurance of a long-term dialysis treatment is turning a few heads at Dadeville’s Fresenius Medical Care facility.

The 65 year-old Camp Hill native has been receiving dialysis treatments for renal failure for several hours per day, three days a week for 32 years.

Rhonda Meadows, clinical manager at the facility, said it’s the former cook’s physical condition and overall positive attitude about the procedure that might be the key to her longevity with it.

“Patients tend to do better with the procedure if they have a really positive attitude about it,” Meadows said. “They tend to do better if they don’t let it control their lives.”

With the help of her husband Winifred and her family, Drake has been able to live a pretty normal life despite the long-term procedure and loss of vision.

In fact Drake, who is a member of Jennings Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church, still attends service regularly, enjoys singing, talking on the telephone and even cooks on occasion with the help of her husband.

“I never get too depressed,” Drake said. “I just try to make the best out of it because I know it’s my life now, but without the support of my husband and family I would not have been able to endure this for all of these years.”

Meadows said when Drake was first started on dialysis the closest clinic was in Birmingham and she would make the drive back and forth during the week for the procedure which is used to filter toxins out of the blood stream.

“When she first started on dialysis it was pretty tough on the system,” Meadows said. “It’s not quite as bad now, but what she has gone through is pretty remarkable.”

Drake started coming to Alexander City for treatment in 1992 before the clinic opened in Dadeville.

In addition to the treatment, patients at the Dadeville clinic are matched up with a dietician, who maintains a strict diet, which is free of potassium and low in phosphates.

“I feel good about (the treatments),” Drake said. “I’ve tried to stay as close to my diet as possible.”

At one time Drake was on a kidney transplant list at UAB Medical Center, according to Meadows, but she is no longer on the list.

http://www.thedadevillerecord.com/news/2009/apr/29/drake-endures-32-years-dialysis/