The Kidney Society Meeting last week.

Well dear readers (both of you anyway), allow me to update you with the latest developments following the meeting organised by the lovely people at Auckland Kidney Society, held in the sumptous surroundings of St John the Baptist church hall in Northcote, North Shore.

With hushed reverential tones the amassed congregation of dialysis patients waited patiently (how else would a patient sit, I ask you?) for the great man to appear. Precisely on the dot at 7pm, Walter made himself known and started to introduce himself and his colleages. It is reassuring to know that punctuality will be an attribute highly prized in the new unit. Walter reinforced the benefits of the move to the North Shore, Rodney and Waitakere residents. 

Atter explaining the history and the benefits of the new unit, he then passed on to some more of the nurse management team, Janice Fitzpatrick and Annette Gohns. Both at the outset set out to reassure the affected transferees that the aim was to minimalise disruption to existing dialysis schedules, and; more importantly, workers will be at the forefront iof their planning. Annette insisted that those of us still in work should be encouraged to continiue with our careers, as it benefits us. Marvellous!

After some more details about the move and following a very brief question and answer session (only 2 of us asked questions), letters were handed out with a date for the move and details of the proposed shisfts.

I was delirious with happiness to discover that my transfer is planned for September, and that no further details were available about the actual session times, but that they were going to work with a variety of options to make it work with me. These options ranged from leaving me to dialyses in Point Chev with no move, extended opening hours, changing dialysis days to Tues, Thurs.and Saturday, or dialysing at home using my catheter line, (NO FISTULA, EVER!!).

Reassured that they are seriously considering the needs of the still employed, I left on a much happier note. One of the points under consideration is a familiarisation day when we call all visit and make ourselves aware of the new unit, a sort of orientation day for the elderly. Great idea

I think that what this has showed is that communication is the most important aspect here!

Latest News on the transfer to the new North Shore dialysis unit.

Ho Hum, moves are afoot in my strange world to move those of us who live on the North Shore and Rodney to transfer over to the new much awaited facility in Shakepeare Road, Milford. This sounds like a good idea, as it will cut down the thrice weekly journey to Carrington Road in Point Chev, which is quite onerous and can be fraught with traffic congestion expecially travelling over the Harbour Bridge.  Applause! Applause! Travel time will be drastically cut! 

But there is a dark side, there will be no late afternon or evening dialysis to accomodate those of us who are still working! Oh Confustication....This would mean having to leave work even earlier then at present. How bizarre? No consideration seems to have been made for the few odf who are still in gainful employment, and paying taxes. Theer is a meeting next Tuesday in which the Medical Specialist of the WDHB, Walter Van Der Merwe will be fileding questions from those affected by the move. I was originally informed that i woudl be staying at Carrington, so I can carry on in Fullt ime emplyment, and they woudl lokk to transfer me later in the year in December. But alas and alck the powers that be have already decided that i am to be moved at their convenience, not mine, now in September. This is not a medical decision, but rather would appear to be cost related.

Ho Hum, Cost seems to be the ruling issue here? To stay at Carrington as guest of the efficient Auckland District Health Board, means that Waitemata incur charges, however to open the new 24 bed unit to early eevening sessions would cost the WDHB more? So cost rules on both counts....

I look forward to meeting with Walter Van Der Merwe and the Waitemata team decision makers next week... 

My first ever post....welcome to my world

Greetings from Andrew's world, a strange place inhabited by a few strange random thoughts, odd people and odder situations. 

I live in beautiful Arkles Bay, on the Whangaparaoa peninsular just north of Auckland, New Zealand largest city. Working in the wonderful of world of HR for a private school, my significant other, who will feature here no doubt often referred to only as The Big G (TBG), and surrounded by a smorgasbord of delectable animals: Bagpuss, Minke, Bluebell and Biggles.

 Their species will become apparent as will their personalities and no doubt wil become  frequent topics of observations and musings here.

About me, I am a youngish diabetic with a terrible secret unknown to most casual observers, but familiar to my family and friens and colleagues... I have end stage renal failure, which means my blasted kidneys no longer work, they are defunct and have ceased to be, in the paraphrased words of John Cleese "they are an ex organ". I patiently await a transplant which will hopefully transform my immensely regulated life and allow me a sense of freedom: freedom from regimes, diets and hospital visits.

This blog will hopefully give you, dear readers, an insight into the world of dialysis, transplant lists and the everyday workings of the health service as I progress slowly, like a Russian Czar on a troika, towards my eventual kidney and pancreas transplant. So join with me on a voyage of discovery.

I hope I make a few friends along the way....