Coping with Dialysis

Talking to Your Spouse, Partner or Significant Other

If you have a spouse, partner, or significant other, you may prefer that they are your main source of emotional support throughout your treatment journey. This is especially the case if they are your main carer or support system during your dialysis treatment. It is important that you discuss with him or her how your treatments will affect the daily life for both of you and make a plan for how to cope with shifting roles and expectations in your household.

Talking to Your Family

At some point in your treatment journey, you may want to tell your family about your condition. Being open about your condition with those closest to you may help them understand what you are going through.

Your family can also be a strong support network. For example, they may be able to take you to and from treatments. If you are on PD or home haemodialysis, they may support you by helping you with your treatment. Otherwise, they may be willing to help you fulfil personal or family duties, like household errands or caring for small children.

Talking to Your Friends

Your social activities might be affected depending on your treatment choice. But this does not mean an end to your social life as you know it.

Communicate to your friends that you can still participate in the activities you loved before your diagnosis – although you should double-check this with your clinician – and that it is important to you that they continue to include you, when possible. They will likely be open to exploring some new activities that you can do together. If you choose to explore in-centre haemodialysis, you may even make some new friends during therapy!

Talking to Your Employer and Co-workers

You may still be able to work while managing your kidney disease. And it might be important that you do so for your physical, mental and financial health. If you need to adjust your work schedule to align with your treatments, it may be beneficial to be open and honest with them about your condition.

Going Solo on Your Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Treatment Journey

If it makes the most sense for you to embark on your treatment journey without confiding in friends and family, know that you can go to your healthcare team for advice and resources that will help make manging your condition easier. They should be able to advise you on how to get the most out of treatment and how to balance treatment with your professional and personal responsibilities or direct you to someone who can. Maintaining an open dialogue with your healthcare team about your condition is a great way to take advantage of the helpful support network they can provide.