As a retired US Navy officer who tangentially served on the same planet as SEALs, I am interested in what makes them tick. As a group, they endure and persevere through much pain and suffering in pursuit of their missions, somewhat like what those of us on PD face every day. In the next paragraph I’ve listed some of the sayings accredited to the SEAL community, and following that apply one to PD patients.
“The only easy day was yesterday.”
“Adapt, Improvise, Overcome.”
“Pain is just weakness leaving the body.”
“Slow is smooth, smooth is fast.”
“Be humble, be hungry, and always be the hardest worker in the room.”
“Get comfortable being uncomfortable.”
“The only person you have to be better than is the person you were yesterday.”
“Under pressure, you don’t rise to the occasion, you sink to the level of your training.”
“SEAL training is not for the faint of heart.”
“The only way is through.”
Today I’ve chosen the sixth SEAL saying to apply to PD patients. Here’s how the Navy SEAL saying “Get comfortable being uncomfortable” could be applied to peritoneal dialysis patients:
Adopting a “get comfortable being uncomfortable” attitude can help peritoneal dialysis patients persevere through challenges, adapt to changes, and maintain a positive outlook on their treatment. This mindset can be empowering and improve their overall quality of life.
Peritoneal dialysis can be an uncomfortable process, as it involves inserting a catheter into the abdomen and performing dialysis exchanges several times per day. This can be physically and psychologically challenging.
However, patients need to get comfortable with this discomfort to successfully manage their condition. The more they can embrace and adapt to the uncomfortable aspects of peritoneal dialysis, the more smoothly the process will go.
Just as Navy SEALs must train themselves to operate effectively in uncomfortable and stressful situations, peritoneal dialysis patients need to mentally and physically prepare themselves to handle the daily discomfort of the dialysis process.
Over time, with practice and a mindset of embracing the discomfort, it can become the “new normal” for peritoneal dialysis patients. What was once an unpleasant experience can become a routine part of their healthcare regimen.
Speaking of routines, my weight has edged upwards to 145.2. So starting last night and for the next couple of nights, I will be using a mixture of 1.5 and 2.5% solutions for my evening dialysis. This should bring my weight back down to the 140-1 range, where we will fall back to only 1.5% solution and start the game all over again.
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