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Life
Dialysis still keeps him going By Janet Conner-Knox | Daily Times Staff Writer It's unheard of. Some might call it a medical miracle. Lloyd Cameron, a Wilson man, has survived 20 years using a dialysis machine. Dr. Anwar Haidary, kidney specialist at Davita Inc., said that after five years on dialysis the average patient's life expectancy is reduced to only a 20 percent chance of survival. But Cameron, 47 years old, said that he is one dialysis patient who has beaten the odds and is still around to tell his story because he has been diligently watching his diet, taking his medicine and getting exercise, just like the doctor told him to do. Dialysis is a procedure that replaces some kidney normal functions and is used when a person's own kidneys can no longer work adequately for them to live. Davita Inc. is the only provider of dialysis services in Wilson. Cameron said it wasn't easy changing his lifestyle after his kidneys failed and he learned dialysis was going to be a way of life for him. Cameron said he used to eat food that had lots of salt. Eating too much sodium caused him to drink lots of fluids, and by the time he would go for his treatments, he would have gained 10 pounds. "When I would go back for my treatments, I had gained so much weight the treatments gave me bad cramps," Cameron said. "So they told me that if I changed my eating habits, when I get the treatments I wouldn't get the cramps, and I would live longer. And it is true." Haidary said that Cameron is an example of how people on dialysis might be able to extend their lives also. Currently there are 200 people in Wilson County on dialysis. "Once you are on dialysis you must be a lot more watchful of your body," Haidary said. "Exercise and diet are extremely important. Also, patients must watch to be sure that if they have high blood pressure or diabetes, they are taking their medicines properly. Lots of people who are diabetics or have blood pressure problems also have kidney problems." Haidary warns that dialysis is a useful tool but does not work as efficiently as properly functioning kidneys work. He said our kidneys work 24 hours a day removing waste products, including salt and excess fluids that build up in the body. People who are on the dialysis machine typically come into the office three times a week for a couple of hours. There are some patientswho have a machine in the home and use the dialysis machine daily. But Haidary said that even using the machine daily is still no comparison in having the kidneys slowly working 24 hours a day removing toxins from the body. "Since the kidneys are not working as they should, dialysis patients have to make sure they don't put too much salt, proteins or carbohydrates in their bodies," Haidary said. "I tell them to cut meats down to three times a week, and that is all meat including fish, poultry, pork and red meats." Mark Randolf, physician assistant at DaVita, said there are some patients who have had kidney failure and because they take their medicines properly and are cautious about diet and exercise regularly, never have to go on the dialysis machine. He also adds that knowing early that there are signs of kidney failure also helps in the fight to stay healthy and live longer. "One thing everyone can do, especially if there is a history of hypertension (high blood pressure) and diabetes, is to check their creatin levels," Randolf said. "Doctors can check creatin levels just like they check blood pressure. It is an important tool in knowing how well kidneys are functioning in the body." In the meantime Cameron is discussing his eligibility of going on the kidney donor list. He has lots of family support and said he wants to weigh all of his options. As a special treat Wednesday, in addition to a crown and balloons given to him at Davita, Cameron was treated to a special lunch, and he got to ride home in a limousine. janet@wilsontimes.com | 265-7847
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