Healthy living vital to man awaiting kidney

Healthy living vital to man awaiting kidney

On a tight disability budget, David Desmarais shuns junk food, alcohol, salt as he undergoes dialysis treatment

By Katherine Dedyna, Times Colonist November 20, 2010

David Desmarais has to work hard at keeping healthy -- year in, year out-- on a tight disability budget. No junk food, no alcohol, as little salt as possible -- everything is as nutritious as he can afford as he awaits a kidney transplant.

Stacks of boxes of dialysis solution are piled in Desmarais's bachelor apartment in View Towers. He is thankful that up to $50,000 worth of dialysis supplies are delivered to his door every year -- far less than it would cost for hospital dialysis.

"I've been living here for 13 years, and I'm happy as a clam," he says. He is aware that there is always someone worse off than himself.

"My belly is empty," Desmarais says, demonstrating how home peritoneal dialysis works via a catheter surgically implanted in his belly. "This is my third time already today. I do it about every six-and-a-half hours. If I didn't do this dialysis, I'd be in a coma in three days."

Desmarais will never forget the first time he received a cheque for $40 and a Thrifty's voucher from the Times Colonist Christmas Fund. "Your jaw drops," he says. OK, he might buy a bag or two of Cheezies over the course of a month. But he's been off processed foods so long that they just taste like salt to him.

"The TC has helped me with food certificates that help me stabilize my diet with appropriate foods. Any help is a huge relief," he says.

Desmarais has to keep off his feet -- both thoroughly bandaged in an effort to clear up an ulcer and a split toe. Otherwise, he cannot be actively considered for a transplant. He's been on the wait list since Nov. 8, 2005.

Desmarais is 46. His hereditary kidney disease, which has killed many family members, was diagnosed when he was 18. He lives on a $1,100-a-month provincial disability pension that has to cover rent and food. He wears hearing aids because kidney failure has damaged tissues in his inner ear.

Desmarais, who is HIV positive, has been a stalwart volunteer with AIDS Vancouver Island over the last 15 years. There, he's done everything from serving on the board to maintenance, painting and reception. While he's there, he takes advantage of AVI's hot lunch program to help him live within his food budget.

Desmarais is a grateful guy.

"I've said a million times since starting dialysis I feel very blessed every day to simply be me."

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How to Give and How to Get Help

David Desmarais is one of many people assisted by donations to the Times Colonist Christmas Fund, now in its 54th season. The fund provides individuals and families with grocery vouchers, and children 17 and under with gift vouchers.

Last year your donations allowed us to help more than 2,100 households at Christmas time. If you would like to help:

- Mail a cheque to the Times Colonist Christmas Fund, 2621 Douglas St., Victoria, B.C. V8T 4M2.

- Use your credit card by phoning 250-995-4438.

- Look for Times Colonist Christmas Fund drop boxes around the city.

If you need help:

Application forms can be picked up at 2621 Douglas St. from Monday to Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. or at the Burnside Gorge Community Association, the Mustard Seed Food Bank, Our Place, the Salvation Army, C-FAX Santas Anonymous or the St. Vincent de Paul Society.

Read more: http://www.timescolonist.com/health/Healthy+living+vital+awaiting+kidney/3859844/story.html#ixzz15wVsKXv3