Travel on Dialysis

Not as easy as one would think...
Dwayne and I have not done a lot in the way of traveling because there is just so much involved in making it happen. 

First, we don't travel abroad...in the States alone we would be looking at around $1000 per run.  I believe we would get a portion ($200) back from the government but it really adds a solid cost on to the travel arrangements.  Dwayne also can not purchase travel insurance, so if something were to happen to him on dialysis, well...let's not think about it...

We can travel within Canada as our health care works across the country.  No complaints there, we are very fortunate that is the case.  Booking dialysis in Canada is like booking a popular resort (only not as fun!)  Most larger hospitals may have a bed or two reserved for people traveling, but many locations do not have any extra beds at all.  Calling in to these hospitals you generally put your name in to hold space should it be available.  Our experience has been that you never really know if the space is confirmed until a month before, at that time you should learn if you get the space or not.  Even if you get the space we usually don't find out the times until a few days before.  Makes it a little hard to plan!  Driving is our mode of transport as we can not rely on the dialysis dates to book a flight, and we can't rely on flights to get us where we need to be in time for dialysis.  Thanks god we love road trips!

Once all of this is organized I tend to relax.  Not Dwayne.  I won't get into details, but prepping for a trip to another facility is NOT fun.  It involves testing for the "Super Bug" which for lack of a better word makes him feel pretty violated!  He has to argue pretty hard with the nurses to conduct that test himself.  He has to carry his EPO in a little cooler and has to ensure that all of his labs are up to date and that the nurses have faxed the loads of paperwork back and forth before we go.  Then there is the stress of being in a new facility with different doctors and nurses...kind of like your first day at a new school or new job, but not as exciting. 

That is the process ~ as much as it hinders our adventurous sides we are pretty excited for this summer.  We are off to Calgary for a week with 3 runs in a facility there...then we head home to Powell River where we managed (by miracle of all miracles) to snag one of the three beds in that facility for one day.  This is the first time in 3 years we will be able to stay more than 2 nights in my home town. 

So the next time you travel, be thankful for the ease in which you can book your flight, the vast number of locations you can select from and the freedom to plan whatever you like with no other commitments!  We are thankful for the assistance we received from Dwayne's amazing nurses to assist us in getting our vacations this summer!