It’s scary to go through your life knowing that eventually due to the fate of genetics, you would depend on dialysis to keep you alive. But, once you arrive, get to know your nurses, doctors and fellow patients and start receiving the treatment you need, you quickly realize what a blessing Headwaters Health Care Centre truly is and why it is worthy of your support.
I knew from a young age that I would inherit a polycystic kidney condition passed on from my mother, and her mother before that. Years ago I accompanied my mother, keeping her company as she underwent her treatments. I remember it being a very clinical, cool, and quiet environment.
I started my pre-dialysis care at the age of 40 fully expecting to have to start treatment at what for my condition, was the ‘average age’ of 49. I was very fortunate, and I was able to go ten years longer and not have to start dialysis until I turned 59.
My wife Sheila and I thought that we would try an at-home dialysis program, to avoid that ‘clinical – sterile’ uncomfortable environment I so vividly recalled. For many people, this program works perfectly into their lifestyle. Unfortunately, after 2 years of challenges, my doctors and I decided to enroll in the out-patient dialysis program at Headwaters.
After a year of being a part of this program, I am so glad that I’m able to be a patient here. The dialysis team of nurses and physicians at Headwaters are second to none, and it doesn’t feel like I’m coming into a clinic three mornings a week. This group of people is like my second family. We share stories, we laugh and we support one another. The way I see it – we are all on this life boat, no barriers, no partitions…just a group of people all headed in the same direction – working to live our best lives with the circumstances we’ve been given.