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From: Henry.Kasten@p0.f33.n130.z1.fidonet.org (Henry Kasten)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Re: Leader Dogs
Message-ID: <16027@bunker.UUCP>
Date: 1 Dec 90 05:00:19 GMT
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[This is from the Blink Talk Conference]

Hi Jesse,You asked Brad about Leader dogs position about Dialysis
clients.  I can't speak for Leader, but I am a Dialysis patient.
You said your friend had to have dialysis every 2 or 3 days.  That
is called Hemodialysis.  It is very hard on the body, it puts your
body in a state of shock.  In addition to the shock, the 2 days
following dialysis, your body is building up poisonous toxins.
These make you feel like crap.  If that is not enough, your kidneys
are responsible for the reformation of red blood cells, the things
that give you energy.  If Tom is lucky, and has lots of money,he
can use a new drug called Epogen which helps form new red blood
cells.  Insurance and Medicare will pay for some of it, but once a
patients Hematocrit (used to evaluate anemia) reaches about 30,
normal is in the upper 40's, they will no longer pay for it.  I get
it at a discount for $107. per week.  I am lucky!  I have a good
job.  Tom, would be the best person to decide if the training would
be too strenuous.  Their are Dialysis clinics nearly everywhere,
and many operate at night so if he wanted he could go to train in
the day and dialysis at night. Unfortunately many people are
ignorant about dialysis, hopefully Tom can educate them.  I am a
totally blind dialysis patient with a dog guide and yet I can still
manage to live a full and hectic life.  I don't use Hemodialysis, I
use Peritoneal dialysis, that allows me to do it at home every
night.  It is fast , easy, and I am not tied to a chair every 2 or
3 days for 6 to 8 hours at a time.  I can travel anywhere in the
world with this system at a moments notice.  It is great, yet only
a few people know about it.  If Tom has any questions about it or
would like some advocacy in regards to getting into a dog guide
class, have him contact me.  Henry

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