What Dialysis Really Looks Like for Me
Most people think dialysis is simple — like getting an oil change. You go in, sit for a bit, and come out “fixed.” I wish it worked that way. Dialysis isn’t a quick appointment. It’s a full‑time commitment, a lifestyle, and honestly, one of the hardest parts of my life.
So here’s what a real day on dialysis looks like for me.
Morning: Starting the Day Already Tired
Dialysis days start early, not because I’m rested, but because my body never really recovers between treatments. I wake up thirsty — always thirsty — but I can only have 36 ounces of fluid a day. That includes everything:water, ice cream, Jell‑O, soups, sauces, even the ice in a cup.Most people drink more than 36 ounces before lunch. For me, that’s my entire day.I get ready for work, pack what I need, and mentally prepare myself for the hours ahead. Dialysis doesn’t pause for jobs, responsibilities, or life. You just learn to push through.
Afternoon: The Countdown Begins
As the day goes on, I feel the fatigue creep in — the kind that sits in your bones. Dialysis drains your energy even before you sit in the chair. My body is constantly trying to do the job my kidneys can’t, and it shows.By the time my session approaches, I’m already running on fumes.
Evening: 3.5 Hours Hooked to a Machine
Dialysis itself is 3.5 hours — 210 minutes — every session. That’s the length of a long movie. It’s the time it takes to cook dinner, watch a game, or spend an evening with my wife.Instead, I’m connected to a machine that’s keeping me alive.The needles, the alarms, the cold room, the stillness — it’s a routine I’ve learned to accept, but it never gets easier. Some days are smooth. Some days are painful. All days are exhausting.When the session ends, I don’t walk out feeling refreshed. I walk out feeling like I’ve run a marathon I never signed up for.Night: Recovery and RealityAfter treatment, I’m wiped out. My body feels heavy, my mind foggy. I want to do normal things — cook, relax, spend time with my wife — but most nights, I’m just trying to recover enough to do it all again tomorrow.
This is the part people don’t see.
This is the part dialysis hides behind the word “treatment.”
Why I’m Sharing This
I’m sharing my day not for sympathy, but for understanding — and for hope.
I’m searching for a living kidney donor. A transplant would give me back the time dialysis takes away. It would give me energy, freedom, and a chance to live the life I’ve been fighting for.
If you want to learn more, read my story, or see if you could be a donor, visit:www.akidney4brian.com
Hope is what keeps me going. And maybe, someone reading this could be the person who helps give me my life back.