The Home Cure

摘要

Software engineer Colin Mackay was 32 when a mysterious autoimmune disease destroyed his kidneys in 2001. By last year two transplants had failed; doctors told him he would have to go on dialysis three times a week for the rest of his life. Mackay, now 39, would arrive at work at dawn on dialysis days so he could leave in time for the four-hour treatment. The treatment was so exhausting that he went straight to bed as soon as he got home. On the off-days toxins built up, making him bloated and twitchy. He slept badly and rarely had the energy to entertain his kids.rnThen his wife heard about a home dialysis treatment from University of Pennsylvania nephrologist Joel Glickman. It uses a new portable machine from NxStage Medical in Lawrence, Mass, that allows patients to treat themselves at home in six shorter sessions per week. Mackay started the home treatment in September and had more energy almost immediately. His blood pressure sank to normal because he didn't have so much fluid buildup. For the first time in years he can play soccer with his 7-year-old and 5-year-old. "This is a breath of fresh air. I feel infinitely better," he says. "My kids have gotten back a father."