Travel for work on hemodialysis

[geoffcamp]

Well after some time consulting, it looks like an offer I don't want to turn down has presented itself. They are aware of my Heath issues as I have been a consultant for them for a year now. The only issue is there will be some travel involved. Possibly even international travel. Is there anyone out there currently doing this. The international travel would be light mostly travel in the states. I'm going into the role of technology officer and will need to be on site (multiple locations) when setting up systems then I will manage everything from home. We are trying to be a "digital company" so after initial setup very few people would be in an office. Just wanted to find out how others handled hemodialysis in center while traveling for work. THX. G.

[cdwbrooklyn]

Goeff, you can seek out other centers in the location you have to travel.  However, you must let them know in advance and you have to have all your paper work completed.  That’s the only downside about traveling to different centers.  Now, if you were to train for home hemo you can take your machine with you.  The airport cannot charge you for the machine and you can take it on the plane with you. The center will provide you with a carrying bag with wheels so it’s easy to push around.  You can call NxStage and have your bags delivered to your hotel a day before you arrive.  This is one of the benefits of doing dialysis at home. 

It looks like you really want this job and I’m happy for you but please see if you can get training for home hemo so when it time for you to travel, you can be ready to take your machine anytime, anywhere.

Good luck and wish you the best.   

[bevvy5]

Unless you know your schedule several weeks in advance, it might be pretty difficult.  When we travel for pleasure, we start with reserving a spot three months ahead.  Start with the paperwork a month ahead of time.  On our last trip to Palm Springs, we didn't know until basically two days before we were scheduled to leave that a spot was available.  The paperwork is incredible, it seems.

I should mention, we are Canadians travelling to the U.S.  Travel within the U.S. for a U.S. resident may be easier.

Also, if you're travelling to Canada, our system is completely different up here.  We really don't have any problem getting in somewhere in the U.S., they are glad to have us for the most part as we pay cash and pay more than their insured patients.  But here, it's all done by the government.  While emergency hemo must be made available, we have given up on extended trips for pleasure within Canada.  It's just too hard to get into a dialysis centre just because you want to go.

I'm not trying to discourage you.  Perhaps NxStage would be an answer.  Not an option we have here in Canada - I would sure be jumping on it if we did.

[geoffcamp]

I'm currently in the holding period for a NxStage home machine. Man it takes forever to get this ball rolling!!  I think once I get that things will be much easier. I'm currently using a cath for my access and since every attempt for a fistula graft or "other" solutions have failed by clotting I can not see any needles in my future!  So hooking myself up should be an easy process. I'm on dialysis 12 years and trained on many many machines including PD. So this should not be an issue. I have a caregiver who will train with me so that is not a problem. I've informed my center of the job (which I'm going to take) and they told me travel would not be a problem. I do have a GREAT unit but going to other units that might be sub par scares me a bit!  I have been very worried since I left my last job that if I received a transplant I would go back to work way down at the bottom rung and being 43 years old the pay and job satisfaction would drive me crazy!!  LOL. I've been consulting for this company a little over a year and they are aware of my health issues. Thankfully they like me and my work enough to offer this position that is exactly what I want and a step up from my last position. I was the IT Director for a medium sized city for years and loved that job!  This one holds a bit more responsibility but that's what I want!!  The travel is light. Most of the employees work from home but there are offices with some staff. So once I set things up on site I can monitor and fix issues as they arise from home. They hired me because I can set up a system they can use from wherever they may be all over the world so I'm so happy to have the opportunity. I'm sure I'll get things worked out and fall into a new routine!  I love my work and especially the money!!  I've burned though a lot of savings and my retirement plan is not what it needs to be so this will ease my mind about being 60 homeless or living at home with parents and allow me to plan for my future!!  My list of pros versus cons was very lopsided toward pros!!  So I'm moving forward and will make it some how!!  It almost seems to be too good!  But between work and health issues and dialysis there will be very little time for fun!!  So I'm taking a long weekend cruise to Mexico next week to relax and have a great time before I set out on this journey!!  I'm very happy and even though it might be difficult I will find my way. It's done wonders for my self esteem hopefully that will continue!!  Thanks all!  And keep you experiences and advice coming!  Love to hear from you guys!  All my best. G.

PS cdwbrooklyn. I spent a year in NYC at a consulting job!  Stayed in Manhattan at 82nd and 80 there when I was working there!  I miss those days!!

[noahvale]

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[jbeany]

Bill Peckham is the go-to guy around  here for questions about international travel on D.  Look through his posts on here, and on his blog - Dialysis from the Sharp End of the Needle at www.billpeckham.com.  He's not only traveled the world, but all over the states, including things like river rafting and boating trips.

If you want to skim through all of someone's posts on here, click on their name.  There's an option button that will let you "Show All Posts."

Congrats on the new job!   

[geoffcamp]

The number one concern of staff dependent for cannulation patients who wish to travel, is being leery of a strange staff member sticking them.  Are you already doing your own catheter care - meaning exit site cleaning and hooking up to the machine?   Have you been trained for self-care while incenter?  Or at the least, monitoring your own treatment?  If so, then you would have nothing to worry about going to another center.  It will be in your transient medical record you are doing incenter selfcare and assistance would be on an as needed basis.  You can even take your own supplies if needed.

Yes. I have been trained on my machine for a few years now from set up to tear down. I have been doing my own cath care for about 2 years because I got an infection. So I clean and dress my cath site and never let staff touch it. I've found since I use a waterproof bandage I buy in bulk it is much easier for me and the chance of infection is slim to none. I've gone 2 years straight since I took over care of my site without incident and without infection. I will make sure I have a contact where ever I travel to be on standby in case anything happens whether I'm on in center hemo or I finally get my NxStage go ahead and machine. I do well on dialysis because I've taken a very active role in learning as much as I can. With not much hope for a transplant it is my lifeline as we here are all aware. I do not believe I could manage home hemo if I had to cannulate myself. My accesses have typically been in my upper arm and it would not be possible for me to do alone. However since I have been using a cath for access for so long and unless I decide on an access attempt in femoral I do not see this changing in quite some time. So learning the new machine and set up to tear down is my goal and I'm getting support from my center. It just seems to be a slow process. One way or the other ill get it worked out and stay as heathy and active as possible. THX. Well said and good advice. I really think we all should be trained on setting up our machines and know as much or more than the techs do. It would seem logical to learn for our saftey. I had to practically beg to have the nurses teach me everything so if I needed I could come in and do everything myself. In my opinion it should be required if you are able. G.









EDITED: Fixed quote tag error-kitkatz, Moderator

[amanda100wilson]

Geoff, I beg to differ on your opinion that you would not be able to self-cannulate you upper arm, just in case new to the forum think that this is not possible.  my fistula is in my upper arm and I both cannulate and remove needles,myself.  in fact, I am completely self-caring with my dialysis.  my husband has no involvement in it whatsoever other than to be in the background.  Although I am cannulating my non dominant arm, I am pretty sure that I could probably cannulate the other arm if this was the one that my fistula was in.

[geoffcamp]

All mine were crap. The last 2 were like under my arm!?  It would have been really hard. If the could ever place one I could see I'd be ok!!

[cdwbrooklyn]

Geoff, I’m so happy for you that you are happy about your new job.  It does help with self esteem because now you have something more to look forward to then dialysis.  I wish you the best and lot of happiness and excitements.
Also, you can use a catheter for NxStage if you are unable to keep a fistula.  I know a couple of people who use a catheter and sometimes I envy them because they do not have to stick themselves.  Anyhoo, I’m very happy for you.