Dialysis patient celebrates 100th birthday

[okarol]

Dialysis patient celebrates 100th birthday

Thursday, July 2, 2009 7:04 AM EDT

By LINDA GITTLEMAN
Gratiot Managing Editor

Dante Valerio didn't let a little thing like a dialysis treatment stand in the way of his birthday party.

Valerio will celebrate his 100th birthday today with his family, but he found time for a little cake, good wishes and gifts and well, a big, fat birthday party Wednesday at the Great Lakes Renal Network, part of Gratiot Medical Center in Alma.

The party was held while he was undergoing treatment.

Social Worker Carolyn Grohs said Valerio is one of perhaps four patients of that age in a five state region to receive regular dialysis treatments.

Valerio, Hospital Spokeswoman Penny Daniels said, is unique.

He's been receiving dialysis since 2003 due to chronic kidney disease and he will continue treatment for the rest of his life.

Valerio is a rare dialysis patient, because due to the complexity of his disease and dialysis, lives are often shortened.

The Michigan Masonic Pathways resident comes to the unit three times a week for about three hours each time. He said he doesn't mind it.

"It's pleasant, I can watch TV," he said.

His daughter Tami Leuders from St. Louis, Mo., said when he was told his options following his diagnosis, he was ready to begin dialysis and, ready to learn something new, something he's never stopped doing.

"I've never tried dialysis before," he told his daughter.

An electrical division plant supervisor for Dow Chemical in Midland, he retired in the early 1970s. His late wife Vera died in 1995 and he has three children, eight grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren, two of whom are named Dante.

He held one of the little Dantes Wednesday for photos at his birthday party.

"You can smile can't you?," he said to his baby great grandson as cameras clicked again and again.

The other thing about Valerio, also known as "Grandpa the Great," is that he likes a good party and doesn't mind all the attention.

"We were always a close family," his daughter said of the Missouri native. "He likes it."

The award winning fisherman also enjoys crossword puzzles, Sudoku and cards.

"He loves to play Tonk and he beats everyone," his daughter said.

URL: http://www.themorningsun.com/articles/2009/07/02/news/srv0000005741074.prt

[Rerun]

  

                           

[Sluff]