Woman Marks 25 Years on Dialysis

[okarol]

Woman Marks 25 Years on Dialysis

July 20, 2008

HARRISBURG--Millions of people with diabetes or other kidney problems have to rely on dialysis to stay alive.

On average, a patient receives the treatment for five to ten years.

Christy Healy of Carmi, has been receiving dialysis for a quarter of a century. She's been through three kidney transplants and more than 50 other operations.

"I was born with a birth defect and by the time the doctors found out what was wrong it had done a lot of irreparable damage and 25 years ago yesterday I started dialysis," said Christy.

Now she comes to the Saline County Dialysis Center in Harrisburg three days a week. Each treatment lasts three hours.

"When the kidneys don't function, we function for them," said Danielle Griffin.

She's a patient care technician at the dialysis center. Danielle and Christy met in nursing school.

On the two days she's not here, Christy works at Wabash Christian.

"I wish patients could know, do something--get a job, volunteer. There are so many things you can do with your life."

Christy keeps busy with work, family, and her animals. And admits the last 25 years of her life have been a roller coaster ride.

"I thought my life was over. I thought that was it. I looked in the mirror one day and said 'Hey, God's not going to let you die. Get with the program. Your life is taking a new route.'"

That route leads here, and a special celebration in Christy's honor. Proving she can have her cake, and eat it too.

"I thank God for the life he's given me, instead of the one I don't have," said Christy.

The only days the Dialysis Center is closed is Christmas and New Year's Day.

by Kevin Hunsperger
khunsperger@wsiltv.com

http://www.wsiltv.com/p/news_details.php?newsID=5259&type=top

[peleroja]

One of the men in our Kidney Beings support group has been on dialysis for 33 years.  He received a kidney transplant from his mother, which didn't take, and he's been on hemo ever since.  Amazing man!

[stauffenberg]

"Many people with diabetes or other kidney diseases have to rely on dialysis to stay alive," says the article, and "I wish medical journalists could learn at least the basics of medicine in their spare time, " says Stauffenberg.