NN&I - April 2010
Patient Travel 42 Nephrology News & Issues April 2010www.nephronline.comFinding freedom on a cruiseBy Richard Berkowitz Mr. Berkowitz is a home dialyzor and webmaster for the NxStageUsers (www.nxstageusers.com)In early January, the Carnival Cruise Line's ship Valor became the dialysis "center" of the world as 10 NxStagers brought their home dialysis cyclers aboard for a week's cruise in the Caribbean. The 2010 Freedom Cruise was an example of "Taking Home Dialysis to Sea" as each dialyzors showed what one can do outside the typical in-center experience. Contrary to the more structured ocean liner excursions for individuals needing treatment, these dialyzors per -formed their dialysis when they chose. Several dialyzed nocturnally, while others fit their treatments in during morning or evening hours so as to not disrupt their many planned activities. Also, with NxStage Medical Inc. deliv-ering the necessary supplies directly to the boat, there were no additional costs sage we were sending: people can live a "normal" and active life while on dialysis. By the end of the cruise, each was talking about becoming a patient advocate. The cruise was no longer just a fun experience, but an awakening of consciousness in which we needed to spread the word about home dialysis. The 2010 Freedom Cruise was conceived in early 2009 by dialyzor Bill Peckham during a posting to NxStageUsers, the largest group of home dialyzors using NxStage's System One dialysis machine. After the sugges-tion, I got involved with Pat Colongione, the care partner to her husband and a travel agent, in the planning and pro-motion. We signed up 10 dialyzors and their partners, one former NxStager who received a transplant and his wife, friends of one couple and one person adventuresome did things like zip-lin-ing, scuba diving, snorkeling, cave tub-ing, and even karaoke. On Grand Cayman, our first stop, ten cruisers were sorely disappointed as the excursion to the Stingray City and two barrier reefs was cancelled because of inclement weather. We also didn't have the best of weather at the next two stopsIsla Roatan, a bay island which is part of Honduras, and Belize. But that didn't stop this hardy group. On an overcast Roatan, they found plenty to do, from zip-lining in the jungle to taking tours to chilling at tranquil beaches. Belize may have been the most exciting stop, as ten people in the group went down a jungle river to visit the Lamanai Mayan Ruins. One cruiser went scuba diving for the first time in his life. Another couple went on a combination 4x4 jeep and cave explo-ration trip. On a very sunny Cozumel, 12 people spent the day at a marvel-ous park and beach where the water was warm and crystal clear, making it perfect for those who went snorkeling. Unfortunately, one cruiser went to the emergency room of the local hospital because he twisted his knee while in the shower, but that also gave him and his care partner the opportunity to "sell" home dialysis and the NxStage machine to the doctor, who never heard of it and immediately wanted one for his clinic. All in all it was a very successful venture. The Freedom Cruisers accom -plished what they set out to do. They all had a great time and in the process made a statement that people on dialy -sis can live a "normal" life. This July, three of the cruisers are pushing the envelope further as they raft Oregon's Rogue River. The plan is to lash two NxStage cyclers to the oar boat as they shoot the rapids. It's exciting to think what can be done when a dialyzor gets optimal dialysis. There may be no limit. The Carnival Cruise Line's ship Valor took NxStage users on a seven-day Western Caribbean cruise.related to the treatments as one would incur during a regular dialysis cruise. When the cruisers first signed up, most may have done so because they wanted a vacation and saw the ter -rific negotiated rates. But once on the cruise, every one recognized the mes-from the company and her partner. The total group numbered 28 people. To illustrate the draw of the cruise, one dialyzor got over the fear of self-cannulation because she wanted to go on the cruise. Once onboard and receiving the benefits of more frequent dialysis and greater optimal outcomes, the activi-ties were plentiful. Some of the more Patient Travel_NNI0410_5.indd 42 3/18/10 4:49:01 PM
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