In 2010, to celebrate my tenth year of a wonderful life on dialysis I sort of got in shape and canoed 225 miles with the Grand River Expedition 2010. It was an incredible journey that couldn't have happened without my family and many dear friends.

I have been on dialysis since 2001 and have used every form of dialysis currently available in search of the best outcome and the best life. I have done in-center hemodialysis, at home hemodialysis with a traditional dialysis machine, peritoneal dialysis and finally, NxStage's System One home hemodialysis machine. I have had two kidney transplants, one from my beautiful wife and another because a thoughtful motorcyclist had checked the donate organs line on his license. For me, the technology for a successful transplant does not exist for my disease. I remain open and optimistic about wearable and implantable artificial kidneys.

Since I started my first blog, Tasty Kidney Pie, in 2001, I have tried to, and hope to continue to, inspire dialysis patients and others living with chronic illnesses to get outdoors and live an active and fruitful life.

Since 2001, The Riverdudes, my National Kidney Foundation of Michigan Walk Team has raised $78,000.

I currently spend my time writing, raising my children, snuggling with my wife, getting outside and staying active, and hopefully inspiring others along the way.

Thank you

With your help we can exceed this year's goal of $5,000 for the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan. Thank you very much for your continued support. Erich



Tuesday, October 4, 2011

Sticking the needle for the first time - first published in 2006 on Tasty Kidney Pie

The first time I had to stick, I held the surgically sharp tip with my right hand just above the bulging vein in my left bicep. I just held it there. After some time I tried to imagine my hand moving forward at the correct angle. I tried not to think about the razor sharp metal slicing layers of skin until I felt a “pop,” the feeling described to me when the needle bursts through the vein wall allowing blood to flash into the connected tubing. I was instructed that at that point I would know when to stop pushing. “But, how would I know?” “What would keep me from continuing right on through the opposite wall skewering the Triceps brachii like some tender piece of marinated tenderloin?” The answer given was that I would just know, which was comforting, not!

After a few more very long seconds of what on the outside must have looked like a Zen meditation trance but on the inside I knew what was really going on - panic and a mental image of me throwing the needle out of my hand and lifting my butt of the seat and hauling it on out of there. Instead, I took my leap of faith. I thrusted my extended fingers forward while my left big toe searched for a table leg to wrap around to calm itself all the while I silently screamed, “I do not like this “Sam I am.” I do not like big needles in my ham.” But before I could butcher any more Seuss it was over. Some magical force stopped my forward motion leaving the needle right in the middle of my vein. I sighed. My arterial bloodline was secured. After a few moments of quiet celebration I reached for another needle to secure my venous bloodline. When both lines were set and the machine was on, I leaned back into my chair exhausted but smiling. . . I had scaled the Mountain and found that my life was better for it. Six out of seven days I scale that same mountain but each day the slope flattens just a bit.”

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