Hello my name is Bill. I am a dialyzor.

[jedimaster]

 

[okarol]

Hi Bill,
I recall being referred to your webpage a few years ago when I was researching "traveling on dialysis" for
our daughter. We kept postponing a trip for two reasons. One, we were afraid a change in centers,
even temporarily, would introduce an infection. Secondly, we didn't want to be too far away in the event
a call came through with a kidney. In 3 years we never went more than 3 days from her dialysis center.
I hope you will share more about your travel experiences on here.
Welcome!

~Karol

[kelliOR]

hello Bill,

I am just down the road from you, in OR.  Lived in wet Olympia before moving to Bend 12 yrs ago.  Have ties to Seattle, my son plays hockey up there.  I have enjoyed reading your intro.  Too bad about the Seahawks, we're fans also. Caught Peter Gabriel's Secret World Tour at the Tacomadome in the 90's, and heard Don't Give Up live.  No Kate Bush, but Paula Cole was just as spectacular.  Nice to meet you,

Kelli

[melshell]

WOW!! FANTASTIC INTRO!! I too dreamed of world travel as a young girl, and although I've been to a couple of places, unfortunately, finances limited my choices. Even though finances continue to limit my choices, I still dream of all the places I have yet to explore...SOMEDAY!! I suppose I'll be showing everyone how "fresh outta the plastic" I am, lol!, but I've yet to build up the courage I feel will be necessary to venture far from home as yet... ...I am, however, VERY encouraged by your ongoing travels, and am feeling that old familiar antsy feeling about going somewhere...ANYWHERE! Even on a limited budget (pre-dialysis), Hubby and I managed to get in at least 3-4 "trips" a year--I am the QUEEN of $200-300 weekend jaunts!!    (of course it wasn't China, but the mountains, or the beach, or even a night or two in an upscale motel in a "foreign" metropolis sampling the fair of unfamiliar cuisine, or night life suits us average hicks!! -eating out somewhere besides Golden Corral is adventurous as far as hubby is concerned!! lol!) Finances are worse than ever now that I'm outta work-but I'm thinking with a few MORE frugal budget choices, I may be able to swing SOMETHING!! Welcome aboard Bill, and THANKS for the inspiration!! Please do continue to share your travel experiences so that we may live vicariously through you, until, that is, I get real confident about dialyzing away from home and STRIKE OUT!!

[Bill Peckham]

Thanks for the welcome. Kelli does your son play with the Tbirds?  I had Tbird tickets about 20 years ago when I was a urinator. Maybe start a Tbird thread in OTs

melshell I was thinking I would copy existing travel writing into my intro - a entire biography in one place. But if anyone is curious I have posted most of it on the globaldialysis.com blog.

[nextnoel]

Sleeping on deck under a clear night sky while anchored out on Sucia Island adjacent to Canadian waters.
 

I love your writing style - by the time I got to the quote above, I was wishing I could be there, too, and I'm scared of the water!   

[mallory]

Wow, Bill, that was a great introduction!  I'm glad you've joined the site, and I'm looking forward to your posts!   

[Bill Peckham]

Thanks for the encouragement. I've added a a bit more - through starting dialysis.

For me the only question is when to stop writing and get on with the story. Just writing it out I've thought of things for the first time in a long time.

[okarol]

I think it would be so great to have a section on IHD that focuses on "Traveling on Dialysis!"

[Bill Peckham]

I'm going to Aruba a week from today.  My epic introduction (I'm trying for 10,000 words) is just getting to the part where I start more elaborate travel - '94: 40 day/11 unit/22 state road trip; '95 3 weeks in Costa Rica; '96 2 months/7 countries in Europe; '97 1 month 6 countries in Europe; '98 2 weeks land in Europe/2 weeks dialysis at sea Scandinavia; '99 3 months around the world in 27 flights; 2000 in Turkey for Thanksgiving; etc.

There is an article that was just posted on kidneytimes that is written by some one I was traveling with this summer
http://www.kidneytimes.com/article.php?id=20071011194103
Different for me to read about one of my trips from someone else's perspective.

[Wattle]

Bill, What do you do about insurance?

I tried to organize a trip to Hawaii (from Australia) and it became evident that I was going to find it extremely difficult to get insurance to cover me in the States. There was no trouble getting my PD supplies, that was easy. I would be crazy to go without coverage, so I have given up.

Queensland looks like the destination now. 

[Bill Peckham]

Bill, What do you do about insurance?

In 1995 I join the carpenters union.

[Wattle]

Bill, What do you do about insurance?

In 1995 I join the carpenters union.

Does this cover you overseas? I am not familiar with US insurance.

[Bill Peckham]

Bill, What do you do about insurance?

In 1995 I join the carpenters union.

Does this cover you overseas? I am not familiar with US insurance.

The US insurance system is complicated but yes in general Unions have comprehensive health insurance. My union reimburses 90% of overseas dialysis charges. They are prompt payers too. No complaints from me about my union. Again though there is a great deal of variety among policies. I took the attitude that I should avail myself of the benefit while I had it - I am so glad I did ... because of the weak dollar I could not repeat my trips today. The insurance company still reimburses but everything else is 50% more expensive from my point of view. Now would be a good time to visit the US from your point of view - we just need to figure out a solution to the insurance situation.

[Wattle]

Thanks Bill. I do have private insurance on top of the government funded medicare system Australia has, but unfortunately it does not cover me overseas. I could have pushed the travel insurance company further but it still would not cover me for pre-existing.     I had no problem with my supplies and Fresenius were great. I just would be crazy to travel to the states without cover.

The holiday is to celebrate turning 40 (ahh) I have booked the Gold Coast. It will still be fun, but Hawaii would have been great with the Aussie dollar so high at the moment!

Thanks for your help.