Everette, a 40-year-old man from Pittsburgh, CA, watched his brother suffer from kidney disease ever since he was a baby. He witnessed his brother’s numerous doctor appointments and the several different medications he needed each day to treat his disease. Yet, Everette never imagined that one day kidney disease would hit him, too.

In 1983 when he was 17, Everette found out he had kidney failure due to high blood pressure. Unlike his brother, doctors didn’t detect the disease until it was too late to be treated with medications. The news came as a shock to Everette and his family, as he had always been very healthy and athletic.

Everette started in-center hemodialysis and for 23 years went to a clinic three times a week. Until very recently, Everette traveled 40 minutes to the center for a treatment that lasted from two to three and a half hours—but was unhappy because he could not travel and enjoy vacations. So, he began to do research on the Internet to investigate new treatments. “I knew there had to be a better way to have this treatment,” he insisted.

In his search, Everette came across a new treatment based on a portable hemodialysis machine that was being prescribed for patients to use in their homes. He contacted a few local clinics, and within months was enrolled in a study in California. The study and training took a few months and in early 2005 he was able to use the NxStage System One machine at home.

Now, Everette does his own hemodialysis at home six times a week. His mom is on hand in case of an emergency, and Everette chooses a time each day that fits his schedule. “Having this freedom is the best,” he noted. Everette is feeling better after being on short daily hemodialysis. His blood pressure, which was quite high, went down when he started with the NxStage system. He said he looks better now and has more energy.

Everette is also very happy with the portability of the machine. “It is great, you can just pack the machine and travel anywhere!” he states. “I plan to go to New York and then to Hawaii with this system. I even have friends who go camping with the machine.”

Everette says he hasn’t found any drawbacks with the machine. “You can’t get hurt,” he said. “If there are any problems, the system will shut down until you address the error.” At times Everette doesn’t even consider himself on dialysis. Once he referred to his time before using the System One as “back when I was on dialysis.” He is so happy that he wants other dialysis patients to know about this option.

“I thought I was going to be 60 or 70 years old, still going to the clinic to get dialysis,” said Everette. “The NxStage system gives me the freedom I wanted and control over my own treatment. This machine will allow me to have a long life.”

This patient has granted NxStage Medical, Inc., permission to use his personal story for purposes of educating others about the NxStage System One.