One of my first questions when learning that I’d be starting dialysis was whether Guide Dog Normandy would be able to accompany me to the treatment centre. There were a number of reasons why this was important to me.
First, because we were still a relatively new team and it was important for us to work regularly to continue to build the bond that is such a crucial part of any guide dog partnership. Since I wasn’t sure how much I’d need to adjust my lifestyle once dialysis started, I wasn’t sure how much I’d be able to do beyond receiving my treatment, so it was important for me to know we would have this time to work together.
It was also important for me to be able to navigate my way independently around as much of the treatment centre as possible. As I’ve explained on several occasions in the past, my white cane skills are not that great, so using a cane to find my way would have posed a few problems for me.
Imagine my joy and relief when my doctor told me that everything was arranged and that Normandy would be welcome to accompany me.
And so, Guide Dog Normandy and I went through to our first dialysis session, together with my husband Craig. I had already decided that Normandy would go home with Craig once we had seen how the centre was arranged. Perhaps it was selfish, but I wanted to be able to focus on myself for the very first session and not have to worry about how my dog might respond. For Normandy, that first day was merely an introduction to a new place and the people who were going to become such an important part of our lives.
Since then, we’ve developed a routine that seems to work for everyone involved. Normandy and I are dropped in the parking lot of the centre and make our way into the building and into the waiting room. When the medical team are ready for us to start our treatment, Normandy guides me through to the treatment room to the medical bed where I receive dialysis.
I attach Normandy’s leash to the armrest of the bed, unpack his blanket, his food-stuffed toy and his chew toy. I also keep a water bowl at the centre, which one of the care staff fills for him each time we’re there. He settles onto his blanket, and I begin my own preparations for the treatment.
Normandy lost no time in making his presence felt at dialysis and soon he had developed a dedicated following amongst the medical staff and patients alike. When we walk into the room, we are both greeted by many people. If for some reason Normandy isn’t with me, they enquire after his health. And Normandy is a blissfully happy recipient of the many pats and ear scratches he receives as people leave the treatment room following their dialysis sessions.
I absolutely love having my beautiful guide dog with me at dialysis. It is comforting for me to know he is there, and I often smile as I listen to him moving around or playing with his toys. Every now and then he pops his muzzle through the armrest of the bed, just to check that everything is well with me. Having him with me not only gives me independence, it goes a long way to being a source of self-care that makes me feel better during what can be a stressful time.
Early on, one of the guide dog trainers came to help us learn the routes around the centre. She expressed her utter amazement that Normandy had been made so welcome. Apparently, the South African Guide-Dogs Association had tried on several occasions to gain access to a dialysis treatment centre for one of their guide dogs, without success. I guess that I’m just at a centre with people who are willing to accommodate our needs, for which I’ will be forever grateful.
If you want to see how proudly Normandy leads me into the treatment centre, watch this short YouTube video:
Next time, I’ll update you on my progress to finding a possible kidney donor. And, to give you a sneak peek into what I’ll be sharing, let’s just say I have some exciting news to tell you.
