Journal Entry #3

Amita Raj

Abney

6^th Period

Journal Entry #3: Tuesday, September 21 2010

                Today I went to the El Milagro Dialysis Clinic that my mentor’s private practice is associated with. There were many more patients connected to the dialysis machines that I had initially assumed. These patients usually have to be at that Clinic for 3 to 5 hours, depending on how severe their cases are. The patients were provided with elements of comfort like a reclining chair with a pop-out leg rest and each had their own television and blanket.

                I was shown how the machines worked, and how the blood was taken from the patients. Some had to use ‘catheters’ put into their chest (these are usually temporary) and others had ‘fistulas’ in their arms (these are usually permanent). A fistula is an abnormal passageway that the doctor makes in the patient’s arm using blood vessels. This is used to facilitate dialysis. The machines’ job is to keep the temperature of the blood at body temperature and remove all the toxins that have accumulated throughout the day. The machine does in around 4 hours what our bodies do in 24 hours. Many patients I talked to told me that they could not have jobs because of their kidney disease. Because their kidneys are not functioning properly, fatigue and fluid buildup are often chronic and renders them incapable of performing normal duties. Others who have been having successful dialysis treatments are able to work and do not have to rely on family members.

                What surprised me most was the amount of care that the patients have to put into their diets. They are not allowed to consume more than 3 liters of fluid in 2 days and have to limit the kinds of food they eat because they have to monitor potassium and phosphorous levels.

                I had not previously acknowledged the sheer number of people who have such drastic kidney problems. Most of them are caused by not monitoring their diets or consuming excessive amounts of tobacco which bind to the haemoglobin in the blood. My experience with my mentor continues to be extremely fascinating, and I am learning a lot about Nephrology during every visit.