Dialysis Without Fear : A Guide to Living Well on Dialysis for Patients and Their Families

More than 400,000 people in the United States undergo kidney dialysis. If you or a member of your family are one of them, then the prospect of a regular appointment with a dialysis machine may seem like the end of life itself. But that reaction couldn't be more wrong. In Dialysis Without Fear, psychiatrist and dialysis patient Dr. Daniel Offer joins with his wife, Marjorie Kaiz Offer, and daughter, Susan Offer Szafir, to reveal how life can be lived—and lived well—on dialysis. Drawing on his long medical career and more than seven years of personal experience with dialysis, Dr. Offer dispels many misconceptions surrounding this treatment, explaining how you can adapt to the new diet, travel, work and continue to partake in life's joys and celebrations. But the fears and hardships can be quite real, and Dr. Offer brings his years as a psychiatrist to bear as he provides practical advice on how patients can overcome them. Walking through each step of dialysis, he explains different types of treatment, examines the pros and cons of a transplant, and discusses side effects. Since dialysis affects the entire family, Dr. Offer and his coauthors also provide realistic insights into how relatives can cope and thrive together, sharing the humor, courage, and triumphs of real families who have successfully faced the challenges of dialysis. The result is an inspiring, practical guide that will help you and your family learn to overcome the difficulties of dialysis, live without fear, and enjoy every day. "Dialysis without Fear approaches the problem of kidney failure from multiple perspectives-that of patients, family members, and to a lesser extent the health care team. While describing in detail the nearly meteoric impact of kidney failure and ongoing need for dialysis to stay alive, the authors highlight healthy coping mechanisms for dialysis patients and their families. While imparting a wealth of factual information, invaluable to patients new to dialysis, it celebrates the life-saving value of renal replacement therapies. Anyone involved in the field of dialysis in any capacity stands to gain knowledge, compassion and a deeper understanding of what patients and their loved ones are going through A survival guide for those facing kidney dialysis treatment due to end-stage renal disease. The author team offer practical advice and informatin on kidney dialysis so that readers can make informed decisions about their own care. Interviews with patients and renal care professionals inspire and educate readers about this complicated treatment.