Dialysis World

Friday, July 15

“Dialysis World”
From Bob

I am so thankful to Jenny, Emily, Adam and Patra for their help with the blog. Many times it is not until late Thursday night that the decision is made that I will be unable to help. They take over for me and make sure that those who read the blog are kept up to date. With so little time to prepare, I am always amazed at how well they present the blog.

I have not needed to go into the hospital for 4 weeks. That is a big answer to prayer. My last prayer every night is that I not wake up in the hospital or in an ambulance headed to the hospital.

I am still having pretty significant pain from the shingles. Fortunately, the pain pills help alleviate the pain. The most significant problems I am having now are fatigue and confusion.

For the past several weeks, I have wanted to write about a topic that I believe God wants me to share with you. Unfortunately my mental confusion makes it hard to concentrate. So bear with me and hopefully God will translate this lesson for us all. I went in this week and had a blood transfusion. That has given me a little boost and I believe will give me the strength to finish this blog.

When I was first diagnosed with this “nasty little disease,” I told Patra I did not want to miss the lessons God has for us. After some time, I became convinced that God wanted to teach me about pride. Every time we talked about it, Patra said “But you are not prideful.”

Prior to having my kidneys shut down, I knew very little about kidney dialysis. I didn’t realize that I was about to enter a different world.

Welcome to “Dialysis World.”

God has made it very clear that I need to give attention my new situation.

Let me give you a little picture of “Dialysis World.” These are my new friends. Some have lives very similar to mine. Many of them are much worse physically than I am. Many have diabetes. Many have become amputees. Many have rare or frightening diseases. Almost every week, someone is in the hospital. Many are financially limited. They wonder where the money for a sandwich will come for that night. Most are transported to and from dialysis by a transportation service. Many are not compliant with their scheduled dialysis. Recently one of my new friends told me stories about his recent stint in prison.

There are doctors and nurses and technicians who work very hard filtering our blood and removing excess fluid. My schedule is Monday,Wednesday and Friday. We spend typically 4 hours on the dialysis machine. Almost every day, either I or one of my friends will have trouble during dialysis. You would think we'd feel better after the cleansing of blood, but it leaves us exhausted and dehydrated. I have passed out a few times myself.

God has led me to understand that I need to focus on “Dialysis World.” Before I look at my own problems, I need to remember this new ministry that God has given me. This is very different from any group I have been with. My new friends are from every walk of life.

After I have given consideration to “Dialysis World” I can then look at my own problems. It is amazing how my own problems seem so much more manageable after thinking about the bigger problems. My new friends are teaching me a great deal about dealing with life’s issues.

How about you? Are you focused only on your own problems? Is there a bigger picture that you need to consider?

Dear God:

Thank you for all the lessons you teach me. Help me to understand your teaching. I thank you for my friends in “Dialysis World.” I pray that I will be a blessing to my new friends. I thank you for a good week and I pray that if it is your will, I can stay out of the hospital.

Until next Friday. God willing!

Bob