Dr. Craan showing some of the different components that make up his routine dialysis treatment.
The advanced dialysis "cycling" machine next to the dialysis fluid used for treatments.
“I have no problem with connecting myself, maintaining the catheter and other parts of treatment – I'm used to that. But the extra help is valuable to get everything ready.”
Meeting patients, and families, where they are
When Denise Carquez’s husband, Rick, contracted COVID-19 in early 2024, his kidney function declined rapidly.
“It caused a panic,” says Denise, reflecting on the experience. “Suddenly, his [kidney] numbers were way off, and we had to move fast to get him set up on dialysis. The [Renal] program rallied to get things set up quickly and they’ve been great with support ever since.”
Rick started treatment in March. Home dialysis was the best fit because it tends to be easier on the heart, which extra is important since Rick had a heart transplant in 2017. It also means he can be involved in daily routines like taking their nine-year-old son to school every morning.
Considering the alternatives, Denise agrees. “The stress of heading downtown for daily in-centre treatment wouldn’t have worked for him. It just wouldn’t.”
Because her husband often has brain fog – a common side-effect of dialysis - Denise helps with treatment. She connects him every night, but cleaning and preparing the equipment can be a full-time job on its own. Without HDAP, either Rick would need to do in-centre dialysis or Denise would no longer be able to work.
Thanks to HDAP, it’s one less thing to worry about. She can continue to work as a clerk with KHSC’s Virtual Recovery after Surgery Program – something that’s important to her personally – while nursing staff assist with setup and cleaning at home.
“[Rick] sometimes feels like a burden, but he’s not. I signed up for this. I agreed to do this. He gets to spend more time with his family, and you don’t get that leeway with in-centre dialysis.”
For Denise and her family, that means more time spent together. This year the Carquez family was able to go on five camping trips and, because peritoneal dialysis supplies can be shipped to different vacation locations, they’re now planning a family trip abroad.
By adjusting routines and expectations, HDAP can help make sure patients are getting the dialysis care they need at home in a way meets their needs.
