I promised to write something about the women — yes, they are all women — at the peritoneal dialysis center. I came home with the names and correct spellings yesterday after my first monthly nurse’s visit. They have all been unduly cheerful and extremely helpful and encouraging. I’m not sure I deserve them, so I should say thank you before the time becomes too distant and the opportunity is lost. First is the head nurse, or the supervising nurse Shelly who drove to the hemodialysis center time after time to change my dressings before she could teach me to do that myself. She had a don’t worry, I’ll teach you attitude right from the start. So I never once worried. It could have been daunting. Then I’ve had a string of nurses: Regina, Carol, Natalie, and Sahah, who has many years experience but is currently training to move into peritoneal dialysis care. She’ll be wonderful at it. Jessica is a tech. Chelsea is the dietician. Debra the social worker. And last, but certainly not least, is Lizz. It seems completely inadequate to call her the receptionist. She’s the go to person for everyone, staff and patients alike. She knows people, and knows people who know people, and gets things done with absolute ease. Each of these people has helped me. Each of them has smiled and said hello. Each of them has smiled goodbye. I take a deep breath before going in, because I know that on the other side of that door is a world I don’t normally inhabit. A world of caring and thoughtfulness where I feel I have found the lost members of my family. I can’t thank them enough.

For earlier posts see Three and a Half Months and Personal Update.