I replied…“ Well, Jade had to tend to some personal things at home. She’s also a nursing student , so I’m sure she has a lot of demands in her life now.”
“ I see Dwelyn.”… This young lady Jade is having a tough time in her life. I hope things work out for and that she has much success in nursing school.” Says AW…” Dwelyn how much time do I have on this machine?”, “ My bottom hurts bad Mon!”( As AW makes a semi hurt but funny face)…” You have about 2 hours and 45 mins left in your treatment.”… “ What????”””, as much as you have been talking to me, running around, me seeing this, me seeing that , me talking to Anthony Reed, Eric Cirignano, Beth Shannahan , Elisia Marchena, Ashley, Nicole, Denym, and all these people you mean to tell me that only about 45 mins has gone by???”””, “ Please be joking Mon!”” , “ No AW the machine time doesn’t lie, or it isn’t altered. There’s only an issue with the machine time, if I myself or the other staff put in the wrong or incorrect treatment time information that’s on the Hemodialysis order, if there’s a power failure, machine malfunction in which will cause me to troubleshoot an error that may occur , or……( As I stare at her frowned up yet smiling ) If you as the patient move your arm wherever your access may be placed which will cause the machine pump to stop.”.,” So Dwelyn I know you told me earlier about holding still , but how could ANYONE sit still for this length of time not only on a Dialysis Machine , but let alone these chairs that feel like rocks sit still?”, “ And not to mention…….” Mon it be Freeeeezzeeiinngggg in here!” , “ Why it be so cold?”….. “ Well let’s start back from the top of why time seems to stand still for you as a Renal Patient and for us working the floor time is an illusion. The illusion of thinking you have enough time than opposed to, acknowledging that time could possibly be a perception of an individual. For example, I think I have enough time to put on a certain number of patients including yourself in a certain amount of time is my perception of Time Management. I have to figure out in my head , your post Treatment bleeding time, my other patients as well. Not to mention each of your times are different as far as take off times. Then the time for me to wait for you to finish clotting off your access or should I say access clotting time for the bleeding to stop, and then I can only proceed after you get up and leave , for me to clean the chair and set up the saline , access lines , dialyzer , needle packs for my other patient for the following shift……. And there’s tape preference, which side the patient’s access site is on therefore I can move the machine on that same side to provide comfort to the patient. “ Oh, I forgot to mention that I have a schedule to follow for each patient I’m assigned too, annnnnndddd what if one of my patient’s bleed or get sick or pass out from their blood pressure is too low?” “ What if my teammate needs help with their cannulation or needs to troubleshoot ?”….. etc……” So Dwelyn it sounds like to me, you guys have to perfect Time Management, Huh? “…… “ Exactly AW, it’s a major task. No one day is ever the same. “
“So let’s talk about why we as the staff heavily stress about patients holding still as much as they can while receiving Hemodialysis. Those needles in your arm as we speak don’t bend with your arm. Depending on the placement of the needle and the position you as the patient are sitting or reclining, and the area of where the arm access is either Fistula or Graft, determines your comfort level while receiving treatment. “…. AW replies,” Man you be telling too much about this!”, “It’s like you want me to do yoga or act like a statue.”…… “ Speaking of a statue , it’s FREEZING, can you hand me my blanket out of my bag?” “Sure thing. And now let me explain a little from my experience as a Hemodialysis Technician to why we keep the treatment floor a certain temperature. So let’s just imagine that what if we turned the heat up to about 80 degrees, would you like that?”….” Of course bro , what a crazy question you be asking me!” “ Ok AW, let’s say I turn up the heat, then what happens when you get hot?”…” Duh, my dear boy, you become hot, possibly sweat , you may become tired or restless!” , “ Your point Dwelyn?”….. “ Well being that all you said is true, just imagine experiencing all of that and in addition you have roughly about a pint of blood out of your body at one time . Keep in mind that the average adult has about roughly 10 pints (4.73 liters) of blood ( which is 8% of your body weight). “
“ Dwelyn so you’re saying if it’s hot in here not only will I sweat and get tired, my blood will evaporate? “…… “ Lol , No AW what I’m saying is that it’s a possible chance you could become weak, your blood pressure may drop , and you could faint or pass out.“…” Oh boy, this dialysis stuff is intense Mon!”, “ I don’t want to pass out. I have things to do .”…..” And AW let’s dig a little deeper on this matter. Let’s say you pass out, and our other patients may feel the same way!”, “ How do you think we as the staff will cope with that? “ What if all of you become tired, restless, sick , nauseated, or pass out?” ,” Who do I come to aid first?”,,,, AW replies with laughter ,” Me Lol!”, “ No but seriously Dwelyn it kinda makes sense.” “ Oh and AW let’s not forget to mention when it’s warm, bacteria grows rapidly, and you all are exposed with semi open access wounds. Meaning we are accessing your dialysis accesses.”…..” Oh, boy Dwelyn you got my brain gears turning. I get the picture.” “ Keep freezing me like a snowman. I’ll bundle up.” “ And AW don’t forget we have seat warmers to warm your bottom and massage you while you’re receiving your treatment. “….. “ Ahh Dwelyn I forgot about that. Let me do that and listen to my music on my iPad.” ,” I’m going to relax a bit and listen to my cool vibes man.” , “ Okay AW I’m going to go help out in the other pod , I’ll talk to you in a bit.
Kidney Trails 