October 2026 Update
TIDES OF CHANGE
Just a few weeks ago, I published the September blog with some cautious optimism that the Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) complications I experienced over the summer, were finally behind us. Unfortunately, just a few days after posting that blog, more complications arose and there had to be a quick pivot to my treatment.
After three successful weeks back on Peritoneal Dialysis, sadly, the leak into my lung had returned (for more information on the leak, see my September blog). I was given two choices; surgery to attempt to fix the leak or switch to hemodialysis. Given the risks of surgery and the fairly low success rate, I opted to discontinue PD and switch over to hemodialysis. Hemodialysis comes with many other challenges, however, if the surgery was unsuccessful, I would end up on hemodialysis anyway.
The past few weeks have been full of changes and challenges.
WEATHERING THE STORM
Since I need dialysis to survive, the switch to hemodialysis happened fast. On Monday September 28, a permcath (also known as a pema cath or central line) was inserted into the main artery of my neck. This new catheter is what provides access for the dialysis that cleans my blood. Immediately after the procedure, they did a 2-hour dialysis session at the hospital dialysis centre.
CHANGE OF COURSE - HEMODIALYSIS (HD)
For hemodialysis, there are 2 choices:
In-Centre dialysis: done in a hospital or specialized dialysis centre 3 days a week for 3-4 hour sessions (session length varies by person). For us, this would mean a 1-hour (1-way) commute into London, 3 times a week.
Home hemodialysis: there is the option to do hemodialysis at home. This option requires home modifications (required for the machine), as well as 6-8 weeks of training on the home hemodialysis machine.
Neither option is really all that appealing to me, which is why I had selected to do PD initially. However, since PD is no longer an option, Jack & I decided that home hemodialysis is the best choice for us. Especially since commuting to London 3 times a week for in-centre treatment would be difficult - especially in the winter.
FINDING OUR BEARINGS
Jack & I began the home hemodialysis training on September 30th and we train while I get my dialysis every Monday, Wednesday & Friday. This treatment does not take a holiday!
The home hemodialysis machine and process is much more complex than PD. I now understand why the training is so much longer. I recently connected myself to the machine for the first time, which was such a nerve wracking experience, but I’m sure I will feel more comfortable each time I do it.
I also had the PD catheter removed from my stomach last week, which was a bittersweet day; while I was happy to have one less tube in my body, I was also sad that PD did not work out for me.
The joke around the clinic is that apparently I need to try out all the different types of dialysis - just my style to want to be the expert in everything! LOL! In the month of September, I did all 3 types of dialysis: peritoneal dialysis, in-centre hemodialysis & home hemodialysis.
STAYING AFLOAT
It has definitely been a challenging few weeks, but a particular quote has stuck with me recently and is why I choose to share so much of my journey and story:
“One day, you will tell your story of how you overcame what you went through, and it will be someone else’s survival guide” - Alex Beil
There are many others who have been brave enough to share their experience with kidney failure and dialysis, which has helped me tremendously. I hope that one day, my story will help someone else.
THE SEARCH CONTINUES FOR A LIVING DONOR
As a reminder, if you speak to anyone who is considering living donation or who wants more information, please encourage them to contact my transplant centre (share the link to this blog and let them know the information is at the bottom):
London Health Sciences Centre
Multi-Organ Transplant Program
519-663-3552
livingkidneydonation@lhsc.on.ca
Mention you would like more information regarding a directed kidney donation for Krista Merkley.
There is no commitment required - you can call just to get more information! And it’s anonymous!
