Sister Mary and Sister Catherine, Roman Catholic Benedictine nuns, are thick as thieves at 71 and 81 years old respectively. Photo courtesy Sister Mary.

Sister Mary, assisted by care partner Sister Catherine, is one of just 8 percent of people with ailing kidneys who currently receive dialysis at home—in her case a Benedictine monastery. Five days a week after morning prayer, Sr. Catherine helps Sr. Mary with her dialysis treatment while they work on crossword puzzles, embroider, and watch their favorite program The Price is Right.

Most people don’t think much about their kidneys—until they go awry. Choosing foods with less salt, and keeping blood pressure and sugar levels in check protect kidney health. Yet about one in ten Americans (more than 20 million) has some level of chronic kidney disease (CKD). CKD is considered a silent disease because many people don’t experience any symptoms until the kidneys are badly damaged. In 2010, more than 870,000 people were being treated for kidney failure. Only blood and urine tests can tell how well kidneys are functioning.

Diabetes and hypertension are common causes of CKD. Over time, elevated blood sugar and blood pressure can impair the kidneys’ ability to filter blood as they should, causing harmful chemicals to build up in the body that lead to other problems. And when kidneys fail, the only treatment options are a transplant or lifelong blood dialysis. More than 90 percent of dialysis patients travel to a medical center three times each week to receive the therapy, although clinical data show more frequent treatment with portable, at-home dialysis significantly improves symptoms and survival.

Today’s home dialysis units are smaller and easier to use than earlier versions. Dozens of small studies show patients who do daily or nightly dialysis at home report better blood pressure control, less limited diet, and reversal of some heart damage caused by high blood pressure, according to the NIH brochure on home hemodialysis.

Although growing, the number of clinics that offer home dialysis is limited. Find training sites at the the Home Dialysis Central website.

Daily Dialysis Goes Home The Saturday Evening Post

Wells does not have diabetes. His kidney failure resulted from Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS)—a disease that attacks tiny units (glomeruli) within the kidney where blood is cleaned. Sclerosis refers to scarring or hardening. First noted on a military physical at age 18, his FSGS symptoms worsened some 20 years later, and a kidney transplant was performed in 1998. That kidney, donated by his wife, failed in January 2006. In March 2007, he started daily home dialysis .

Chronic Kidney Disease The Saturday Evening Post

Wells wants Post readers to know about his experience with an innovative medical device that travels wherever he does. He has kidney failure and needs regular dialysis treatments to filter his blood of impurities —a procedure that he performs at home (or, often, in his RV) with the NxStage System One.

Wells says he was initially attracted to the freedom and flexibility of performing daily dialysis at home versus going to a specialized treatment center three times per week.

“The flexibility is a huge plus,” he explains, adding, “but to me, the real advantage is the health benefits. I call it ‘the miracle machine.’ I have more energy, and my blood pressure is stabilized.”

Research supports Wells’ observations. Experts say that frequent dialysis therapy allows the machine to function more like a natural kidney, resulting in treatments that are gentler on the body. Interim findings from the FREEDOM (Following Rehabilitation, Economics, and Everyday Dialysis Outcome Measurements) study reveal fewer symptoms of depression; a quicker return to normal activity; and improvements in physical ability to complete daily activities, general health, and energy after four months of daily home therapy. Preliminary data on nightly treatments (three to six nights per week) are also promising. Dialyzing at night allows for a slower flow rate that may re¬move more wastes than the shorter treatments and also frees up daytime hours for other activities.

Hope of Home Dialysis The Saturday Evening Post