and for the past five or six years she’s been monitored every month knowing that dialysis would be required at some stage. She knew when the time had come.
“I felt like I had the flu all the time. I could barely eat, and lived on toast and tea,” said Haffie. “My kidneys are only functioning at seven or eight per cent.”
The years of preparation did nothing to ease the inevitable.
Haffie chokes up, her eyes fill with tears, as she reflects on starting dialysis about 14 months ago.
“I was devastated and had to give up my job because you really can’t work when you need dialysis,” said Haffie, who’d loved working as a supervisor in the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital kitchen. “What I miss most is breaking out laughing with my colleagues several times a day.”
The thought of travelling to the hospital several times a week for dialysis was not acceptable to her and she decided on peritoneal dialysis at home.
A catheter had to be surgically inserted into her peritoneal cavity. Surgical tape covers the area on her abdomen exposing connectors to receive a solution hanging from an IV stand. The old dialysis solution is drained along with waste products and extra body fluid. A new solution goes in.
She trained for one week to learn how to do it and because of the catheter she can’t have a bath or take a swim. She has to shower only.
Every day, 16 people across Canada are told their kidneys have failed, said Victoria Krizsan, registered nurse clinician at the hemodialysis unit, Medicine Hat Regional Hospital (MHRH), where there are currently 47 people on dialysis.
“Life expectancy is three to five years but some patients have been on dialysis much longer,” said Krizsan. “Other health issues play a part.”
Dialysis costs about $80,000 a year, per patient, said Krizsan. Kidney failure’s also known as the silent killer because people can be symptom free until suddenly everything changes. It’s
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Medicine Hat holds a strong economic position, contains activities and opportunities for individuals of all ages, hosts a vibrant cultural community and experiences one of the nicest climates in Canada, making it a fantastic place to live or visit. Because of this, it is my great honour to represent the constituents of Medicine Hat in the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, and hope to do my best to serve you and your interests. My offi ce is always willing to listen to concerns and to provide help however we can.
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OUR COMMUNITIES ■ OUR REGION ■ OUR PEOPLE | 81
Redcliff resident Christine Haffie says that her dogs, Sunny and Cambria, help her keep a positive attitude while undergoing kidney dialysis.
41015914•03/29/11
41137688•03/26/13
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