On Friday, 9/15/2023 at 0900 I attended my monthly Dialysis Team Meeting. Present were my nephrologist, my dialysis nurse, my dietitian, and my social worker. The purpose of this blog is to provide readers insight into the workings of the dialysis process from a ground level.
We started off with just my dialysis nurse and myself. I had requested enough heparin to last me until my surgery with Dr. Tan on 10/4/2023 and she provided me with this. We went over a Fresenius form that is required annually that covered the particulars of my mental health, our dialysis setup at home, and other such issues. She also injected me with an iron fusion to keep my labs up to snuff.
By this time the doctor came, along with the rest of the team and we got to it promptly at 0900. I’m always glad to see the team runs on Navy time. If a meeting is scheduled for 0900, it starts at 0900. The doctor asked how I was doing, went over my labs, checked my stomach port, listened to my heart, felt my ankles for swelling, and we discussed my new meds (K2 and D3) for osteoporosis.
There is a Fresenius-sponsored program in Fort Worth that addresses all aspects of dialysis with current and potential patients and their associates. A representative from this effort came in and made a pitch to me to join the group in October and be on a panel to make a short presentation and field questions about treatment modalities. Seems that this blog has made a positive impression on those involved in such matters and I agreed along with my wife, to attend.
By 0920 or so the meeting was concluded and I was on my way to pick up take-out breakfasts for my wife and me at the 19th Hole here where we live in Pecan Plantation. The secret to having a good meeting is to be prepared. Pour over your lab results and know the wheat from the chaff. Consult with your dialysis nurse prior to the meeting with any questions you might have. 99% can/should be answered by your nurse. Consult with your caretaker/wife/spouse/? prior to your meeting and be prepared to discuss any concerns. Same for input from your GP.
It boils down to the team is there for you; you have to come to the table prepared and be there for your team.
On top of things as usual, good for you 🙂
b.