Michael, from Hampshire, IL, watched his dad suffer from diabetes, until he lost his battle at age 77. Unfortunately, Michael, now 71 years old, also has diabetes and the struggles that accompany it. At age 67, Michael underwent open heart surgery and began to suffer from kidney disease. Four months after the surgery, Michael had to start dialysis.

For 3 1/2 years, Michael did peritoneal dialysis at home, using a cycler. The treatments, which lasted almost 10 hours every night, became less effective over time, so Michael had to add two daily exchanges, which began to interfere with his lifestyle.

Michael’s wife, Sally, researched options, since Michael didn’t want the burden of traveling to a clinic three times a week. He also wanted to be able to travel and not feel bound by his treatments. Luckily, Sally came across a new, portable machine that allows patients to do hemodialysis at home. Michael contacted NxStage, makers of the machine, who put him in touch with doctors at Rush University and Circle Medical Management. Michael’s doctor did not have privileges at Rush, so Michael reluctantly had to change nephrologists, but he has been very pleased with the change.

Since starting the new treatment in July 2005, Michael feels great. “I feel a lot better than before,” Michael says. “I have lost a lot of weight that accumulated because of fluids and have a better appetite now.”

Sally helps him with the treatments, which he does in the morning so he has the rest of the day free to schedule other activities. According to Michael, “I feel so good now. I would absolutely encourage dialysis patients to have this treatment instead of going to a clinic.”

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