“ I tell you what” . Since I have a little time I will get an expert on how our water system here runs. He has been one of our contracted associates with our company that does remarkable work. I will assure you , that he will make sense of all of this….. “ Hold on one second!”……. ( As I step away shortly to go to the back to find our Biomed Expert, AW waits patiently while being monitored by my other teammates on the floor. Keep in mind that during this conversation, treatments are still in progress and it is mid change of shift of patients finishing their treatments and also our second shift of patients treatments are being initiated. )
“ Beep!” , “Beep!” , Beep !” , “ Beep ! “, “ Beep ! “ , “ Beep !” , “ Beep ! “, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP”!!!!!!!!
Then short silence…… “ Now Mrs. Ruth ( remember Mrs. Ruth is in chair 6 next to AW on her right) Remember you have to be still as much as possible while dialyzing, other wise it’s a possible chance you can make your treatment longer , clot off your lines, or even worse infiltrate your arm… “ Oh I’m sorry Anthony , but I was jamming to my music on my AirPods! This Dialysis be boring man!! But I understand . Since you’re here you mind explaining to me the importance of labs and how you mentioned it saved your life when you were on Dialysis? Anthony replies “ sure thing , let me go back to my office and get more information to explain, I’ll be right back…….
As AW sits in her chair waiting for Dwelyn to return from getting the Biomed Specialist from the back, she starts to just observe her surroundings within the clinic. She notices people of all different nationalities and races around her. She sees a middle aged Asian woman across from her sitting in chair 22 talking on her phone. A Caucasian guy next to her in chair 23 typing on his laptop. A Nubian woman in chair 21 reading a book. A Hispanic man speaking Spanish to a laptop accompanied by a young lady in business attire….. She notices that everyone around shares this one thing in common….. Renal Failure. She looks to her immediate left and sees another teammate which is a female who is walking with a young lady who appears to be blind due to the fact that she has a cane in one hand and her other is swaying slowly. But she notices this woman is happy with joy. She sees a young guy who couldn’t be no more than in his early twenties walking pass her with his backpack on and huge earphones on his head. Yet he has a look of direct focus. I guess he’s in the zone. As she turns her head slowly she’s approached by a elderly Samoan woman in a wheel chair , with one leg scooting closer to her. “ Malo!”, “ Ua mai oe? ….. AW’s face is indescribable to what she just heard.. Yet startled with uncertainty she says ,” Uh , ur rah , huh!!”” ,” I said “ Hello , how are you?” Lol! That’s me speaking my native tongue. I am Mrs. Aonani , and in my language my name means “ Beautiful Sunlight”. And what is your name ?” AW replies , “ My name is Annie or you can call me AW. This is my first day here in this place and this is insane guuul!” Mrs.Aonani replies with laughter,” Indeed it is. I’ve noticed that I have never seen you here before and I wanted to welcome you here to our home!”, AW replies ,” Oh gurl you be thinking tis is your home ah? “ As Mrs.Aonani replies again with laughter,” Yes ma’am I do feel like this here place is a home away from home.” “ I sit over there where the Hawaiian flag hangs. Even though I’m from Samoa , I have lived in Hawaii for several years . Practically the majority of my life. So just like you , when I arrived here and saw that flag, I wanted to sit in that section. I felt if I was gonna be sitting here for so many hours, I at least want to feel like I am at home. I detect an accent from you AW, where are you from if I may ask?!”, “ Well I was born in Jamaica but lived in other places throughout Canada and here in the United States. I kinda get what they’re trying to do with this place. Make us feel at home as much as possible. Guess you could say it’s A Clinic of Culture.”,…. “ Exactly !” Mrs. Aonani replied. “ AW I’ve been on dialysis for a few years and the one piece of advice I would like to give to you is you will have your good days, bad days, great days, horrible days, interesting days, terrifying days… but remember that if it’s a day that comes for us to be alive ,it means that the sun is shining on us and we have much to be grateful for. Life is precious. “….. AW replies, “ Mrs. Aonani I couldn’t agree with you more. I’m so glad you thought of me and you definitely live up to your name.”…. Mrs. Aonani replies, “ I’m happy that you agree, but not to be rude, I have to go get my post dialysis weight and catch my ride home. If I don’t hurry , my transportation will leave me !”
“ Mrs.Aonani you take care and I hope I see you again!”……..
Hey AW so sorry it took me awhile. Since we have had so much to talk about as far as your treatment and what it consist of, let me introduce you to a gentleman that has a remarkable background in Biomedical Services. His company has provided great service to us here and if anyone can explain the water room to anyone with extreme expertise it is him. Mrs AW , let me introduce you to Eric Cirignano CBNT . He is gonna explain to you the importance of the water system, how it effects your treatment as well as other aspects, and I’m for certain with his passion and vision you will be enlightened.
To Be Continued…..
Kidney Trails 