NXstage travel

[supporter]

Hi everyone,

My wife (who is about to start dialysis, and we hope Nxstage soon) and I  live in the Chicago area, and we often like to take short trips up to Michigan, etc, which is about 3-8 hours by car, depending on where we go, and rent a condo.  How easy is it to travel with Nxstage in the car?  What's involved?

Thanks for the advice!

[supporter]

P.S.  What about peripherals, such as masks, needles, etc?  By the way, my wife is Moosemom, who's the most conscientious patient in the world.

[Bill Peckham]

Traveling by car is pretty straight forward - the main thing for some people is the weight of the machine - 75 pounds. If you can lift that in and out of the car then the rest can be dealt with through organization and planning..

You need space for the bags of dialysate - the dialysate can ride in a roof rack. If you were going for a multi-week road trip you'd need a trailer or you'd need to plan on resupplying along the way. It's all very doable.

[monrein]

We have several members who've traveled with the Nxstage but Bill is a serious gadabout!  I'm in Canada and we don't have Nxstage but I'm very happy to see you posting here, supporter.  I hope that MooseMom will find some peace with this whole business as time goes on but having support from people close to us is a huge factor in the process.  Your ability to listen to her fears and be stedfast are crucial and comforting despite the fact that "solutions" are somewhat elusive.  I'm glad she has you. 

[tyefly]

i take mine with me all the time.....   its just heavy......   I can move it my self but it take work.... two people and it not a problems ..... just get it and lift it in the car.... or truck or what ever.....  Supplies are the biggest problems......  boxes of dialysate and then a all the supplies.......   Its like packing for 10 kids going camping.....but I love it and like to go......