I have been a NxStage System One home hemodialysis patient for almost four and a half years.

I dialyzed at a Fresenius Dialysis Center for almost a year and a half before learning of home hemodialysis using the NxStage System One and the Pureflow unit for making dialysate.

I received three and a half weeks training at Fresenius, and ran at my home for the first time on June 1, 2010 using the NxStage and Pureflow units.

I have had wonderful success with these machines and highly recommend considering this type of home hemodialysis for anyone current enduring center-based hemodialysis now.

In center I dialyzed three days per week for 3.5 hours per treatment. Today I dialyze at home six days per week for approximately 2.25 hours per treatment.

People frequently ask me why I chose to take on the responsibility for home hemodialysis, and my answer is easy – I feel like a person with an almost normal life again.

I feel better, have more energy, I have normal blood levels for potassium, phosphorus, albumen, and am able to do normal physical activities after I complete dialysis.

During in-center dialysis I was so tired when I finished, I hardly had the energy to drive myself home and just crash for the rest of the day.

The difference now with NxStage is so different and better it almost defies explanation.

I am new to blogging, so please bear with me as I learn and get more experience with this, but I will continue to post my experiences using NxStage equipment, home hemodialysis, and the things I have learned (many the “hard way”) while dialyzing.