Travel Questions

[poohkari]

Wade and I are hoping to get up to Long Island (where i grew up) for Thanksgiving. I havent been home in over a year, and over the few days of Thanksgiving, I turn 25, my dad turns 60 and my grandmother turns 85! Plus, its been a year since ive even seen my family, and it would be nice to have Wade meet my extended family. Plus, we need a getaway!

Wade's nervous about bringing his NxStage and dialyzing, since we're staying with my father and he's only met him once. He won't mind,  but I can understand him feeling awkward about it. He is thinking about seeing if he can get into a clinic which happens to be really close (i'm guessing its really nice, too) while we're up there instead of bringing the NxStage.

Has anyone ever done this? Or does it just totally defeat the purpose of home dialysis?

[Sluff]

Wade and I are hoping to get up to Long Island (where i grew up) for Thanksgiving. I havent been home in over a year, and over the few days of Thanksgiving, I turn 25, my dad turns 60 and my grandmother turns 85! Plus, its been a year since ive even seen my family, and it would be nice to have Wade meet my extended family. Plus, we need a getaway!

Wade's nervous about bringing his NxStage and dialyzing, since we're staying with my father and he's only met him once. He won't mind,  but I can understand him feeling awkward about it. He is thinking about seeing if he can get into a clinic which happens to be really close (i'm guessing its really nice, too) while we're up there instead of bringing the NxStage.

Has anyone ever done this? Or does it just totally defeat the purpose of home dialysis?

Poohun, I really think Wade needs and deserves his privacy while dialyzing, How much would a motel cost and are there any on Long Island. Just a thought, I can totally understand how Wade might feel. If you absolutely can not do the Motel thing then do whatever Wade is comfortable with.

[kitkatz]

I think Wade need to drag the machine with him and just go visit.  He could do dialysis in a bedroom with the NXstage.  Why defeat the prupose of having the NX stage machine and not travel with it?   When and if I get a NX stage it is going in the car and I am going places!

[Meinuk]

PK - my unit has offered to set up in-center dialysis for me at other units when I travel - as well as "if I need a break from home hemo" - Check with them.  This is still so new for the both of you - try to go with flow and just ask.  It can't hurt. 

Las Vegas was my first real trip since starting dialysis - and I think that I needed to feel freedom from dialysis (which is funny because it was an IHD meet up)  But for the first time in a while - the trip was about meeting people and forming friendships - not about when will I dialyze and how will I feel after.  I can understand Wade not wanting to drag along the NxStage and all of the supplies.

Either way, I hope that you have a great, carefree Thanksgiving!

[Wattle]

Hi Kari and  Wade,

I am not on Haemo but  I drag my PD stuff everywhere. I have done it in some very strange places, including the car. I don't care who watches me anymore and  I don't care what they think.      If I didn't take it with me I wouldn't get to go anywhere. I don't go far. My kids are use to mums crazy dialysis life. A have a travel box with everything I need, ready to go.

If Wade isn't comforable with taking it to your Dads house then try to book into a clinic close by. He could bring it along next time when he feels more at ease. He is only new to this and there are no right or wrong answers to how someone should feel emotionally.I can understand the feeling Wade has. It takes a while to get your head around the whole lifestyle change.

I hope you work it out and go and have a great break with your family. ohh...... and HAPPY BIRTHDAY   

[kruep]

Glad to hear that you are traveling!!
Just remember that it is hard to get a treatment set up this close to Thanksgiving.  I know that my unit was always running on over full at this time of the year.
Having worked with NxStage, I would say take it with you.  What we did in my unit with supplies (gauze, tape, needles, etc.) is that the patient would come in and we would inventory the stuff and mark it in box 1 and box2 and ship it to where ever, so when the patient got to their destination if a box was missing they could call and I could over night a new box 1 or box 2.  If possible the best way is to send it early and have a family member call you and tell you that box 1 & 2 have arrived or if one is missing so you know what you will need.

kruep