Dialyzor

[Bill Peckham]

PS: Could you start a thread about why you call yourself a dialyzor?  I mean you're not a large piece of Polysulfone!     

If the artificial kidney is the DialyzEr, then what does that make me? The dialyzee? To passive to my ear. I need a teem to refer to myself and other people who need dialysis and I do not think the term patient does our situation justice. I think patient describes a business relationship as does other suggested terms - customer, consumer, etc..  So I was thinking along the line of diabetic.

Dialyzor, as a new word, allows us to define what it means. I suggest: A Dialyzor is one who must accommodate a diminished renal function through dialysis and dialysis compatible living choices including diet, medications and exercise.

I think language is important. When I am in the doctor's office, the dialysis unit or hospital then I think the term "patient" is appropriate. However, the vast majority of the time I am not in a medical place of business. The term ‘patient’  only really fits people with acute diseases. Outpatient dialysis is for a chronic disease. The term ‘patient’ fails to acknowledge the 90% of the time that the dialyzor is solely responsible for his or her care. The term Dialyzor applies 24/7.  It applies when we are on dialysis but it also applies during the 70 to 90 % of the time when we are living our lives off the machine.

A dialyzor is proactive. A patient is reactive. A dialyzor does. A patient is done to. I'll know I've made progress when IHD spell check lets dialyzor through.

And besides have you ever actually looked inside yourself? Sure "they" tell use its all lion food but I hear there is some Polysulfone

[Sluff]

 

[Black]

I've seen you mention this before and until someone can come up with something better, dialyzor does it for me.

[BigSky]

I dont know.

As it is now most people I inform that I am on dialysis, a blank look comes over their face, so it would be just another thing that would need explained.

[Rerun]

Reminds me of the "Terminator" !  I like it.

[goofynina]

Dialyzor?? No Thank You,  i am happy with just being the patient,  that sounds like something futuristic and phony 

[Epoman]

Dialyzor?? No Thank You,  i am happy with just being the patient,  that sounds like something futuristic and phony 

Wait till you hear what he calls people who can urinate.....URINATORS  no serious. 

Personally, I have no problem being called a patient, and I remember when Bill Peckham started the whole "Dialyzor" issue and honestly I can see his point. He makes valid points of why he prefers to be called a dialyzor over a patient. However the most important thing to me is that I am referred to and treated like a human being and not some "Sick Helpless" individual. I am a patient just like he is and by hating the word "patient" so much it makes it almost a "dirty" word in my book.

I have no problem being called a "patient", just call me it while looking at me in the FACE and acknowledging my existence, instead of just another "thing" that allows you to afford your New BMW or Mercedes car payment.

- Epoman

[Sluff]

I have no problem being called a "patient", just call me it while looking at me in the FACE and acknowledging my existence, instead of just another "thing" that allows you to afford your New BMW or Mercedes car payment.

- Epoman

AMEN  BROTHER

[Bill Peckham]

by hating the word "patient" so much it makes it almost a "dirty" word in my book.

Like hating dialysis?

I have no problem being called a "patient", just call me it while looking at me in the FACE and acknowledging my existence, instead of just another "thing" that allows you to afford your New BMW or Mercedes car payment.

As long as you think about it, and are proactively OK with it then I say that differences are what make the world go around. You say patient I say dialyzor. My issue is that I was assigned the label of patient and then once you accept the label the next step is to get you to accept the role - passive and compliant.

Compliant is another word I would not normally use.  I would suggest to someone having trouble with dialysis that the trick is learning to accommodate dialysis. I accommodate dialysis by making good decisions about diet and exercise and I accommodate dialysis by staying committed to my treatment regime.

However, I think the root issue is something we can agree upon as a group.  There is far too much learned dependence going on among our fellow dialyzors. I know language doesn't in itself change the situation but I think Orwell's point is correct. Language to an extent does control thinking so we should choose our words and our thoughts with our goals in mind. 

Billp: I think this is the best post I've ever done. And you know what? I deserve it! [ turns to his mirror ] Because I'm good enough, I'm smart enough, and, doggonit, people like me!   

(Does anyone remember Stuart Smiley? I hope? Anyone?)

[mcjane]

And I thought it was Stuart Smalley....SNL....DUH

[jbeany]

Well, Stu, . . .ummm, Bill, whatever helps get you thru the day! 

I think I could go along with being called a dialyzor.  I've been getting treated as a patient a bit too much lately, so a change of terms wouldn't hurt right about now.  If only there was some guarantee that a change of attitude would go along with it.   At the rate I've been butting heads at the center lately, if they are calling me anything other than "patient" it isn't something they can say to my face!

The urinators just cracks me up - but I'm in both categories, so where does that leave me?   

[kitkatz]

Bitch, that was what I was called on Monday of this week. I know I was when I told them what they were going to do with my treatment! I am going back to carrying my big stick!

[Sluff]

The urinators just cracks me up - but I'm in both categories, so where does that leave me?   

A Dianator.

[kitkatz]

Sounds like a giant dinosaur got loose!

[jbeany]

 

[Bill Peckham]

The urinators just cracks me up - but I'm in both categories, so where does that leave me?   

A Dianator.

As Hemingway would say, That is funny.

[Black]

...My issue is that I was assigned the label of patient and then once you accept the label the next step is to get you to accept the role - passive and compliant. ...

That's one reason I LOVE this site.  Most of the people here are NOT passive.  Many may be when they arrive here but most of them learn to be assertive, speak up, and take control of their care.  It's amazing, the transformation which takes place when a "patient" or caregiver becomes educated and informed.

I remember, many years ago, checking into the hospital for minor surgery which required me to be admitted in the afternoon before surgery the next day.  The nurses were not at all pleased that I chose to stay dressed, pull the bedside table over to the big chair, spread out paperwork, my briefcase, etc. and get some work done before dinner.  Between checking in and bedtime I had three people tell me I needed to get undressed and get in the bed.  They were not pleased when I told them "No, later, after dinner and a shower." and I did not until after some work, phone calls,  dinner, some TV, and a shower.  It's not that I was leaving the room or wandering all over the hospital.  I was there every time they came with meds or for vitals; I just wasn't behaving and looking like a "patient". 

IOW, you're right.  Most health care professionals expect you be passive and compliant, and to act like a "good patient".

[Rerun]

Bill, You should get a T-Shirt made with the "Dialyzor" on it.  Go to www.mykidneygear.com for more details.

[Joe Paul]

They can call me anything, but late to get on the machine 

[Zach]

Dialyzor? Bill what are you, some kind of rabble-rouser?  You're rocking the boat man ... I'm starting to fall off!

Regards,
The Renalist.

[Bill Peckham]

Dialyzor? Bill what are you, some kind of rabble-rouser?  You're rocking the boat man ... I'm starting to fall off!

Brody: You're gonna need a bigger boat.

The Renalist.

I like that, a renalist. We need more renalists.

[Epoman]

Dialyzor? Bill what are you, some kind of rabble-rouser?  You're rocking the boat man ... I'm starting to fall off!

Regards,
The Renalist.

  I swear, I love you man. 

[kitkatz]

I am Dialysis Woman, need I say more!

I like the name The Renalist.

[angieskidney]

I am Dialysis Woman, need I say more!

I like the name The Renalist.

Ya I like that too! Sounds cool! 

[nextnoel]

I like the name The Renalist.

Me, too - it's so close to "Realist", which is what most of us are!