Birthdays are different now. I used to hate getting older. Now, I am glad I have them…it means I’m still alive! This year, my birthday fell on a treatment day. I really wanted to skip treatment. The little voice in my head said, “You should just skip treatment.” But my common sense told me to go. I really want to make it to my next birthday. Plus, if I didn’t go, I’d be miserable before my next treatment.
Although you can last several years on dialysis, being on dialysis is like having a countdown clock. How long can you stay on dialysis until you get sicker and die? Can you last long enough to get a transplant? It wears on your emotional state and sometimes it can be all you think about.
I do recommend if you have a treatment on your birthday and you have a 2nd or 3rd shift time, try getting in early if you can. Don’t skip it. Embrace it and then treat yourself to an amazing day. Have a cheat day…drink your favorite drink and eat your favorite food. Birthdays should celebrate life and dialysis is what’s keeping you alive.
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