RV FEATURE
Carol receives haemodialysis from the comfort of her caravan.
be felt by someone with neuropathy, resulting
in ulcers, which in turn causes osteomyelitis,
which is basically bone poisoning. This results in
toes being removed, then forefoot amputation
and eventually, as in Carol’s case, below-knee
amputation of her left leg. This happened just after
her previous husband died. Since we got married
she has eventually had a forefoot amputation of
her right foot.”
MOBILE TREATMENT
Undoubtedly, touring Australia by caravan, while
managing the treatment associated with type 1
diabetes is a challenge. But Terry and Carol are
equal to the task.
Kidney failure is yet another result of the disease.
The only answer: dialysis, a medical treatment
that, essentially, filters the blood and removes
excess fluid – urine – from the body.
Carol receives haemodialysis, which requires
her blood to be pumped through a machine that
mimics the functions of healthy kidneys. Most
people, one would expect, would undergo such
treatment in a medical facility – and they do –
but home haemodialysis is not unusual. In fact,
according to Terry, it relieves pressure on the
health care system and allows the patient to have
longer sessions, as well as additional sessions,
thereby improving their overall health.
The couple had always travelled, by pop-top and
plane. But when Carol began haemodialysis, they
could no longer fly.
"As a result, the only way to travel was to organise
dialysis at a centre months before we wanted to
travel. Most dialysis clinics are already stretched
to the limit. We know of another dialysis patient
who had organised and paid for a trip only to
receive a phone call to say their spot was no
longer available.
“When we realised how hard this would be, I told
Carol I would work out a way to make it possible
in the caravan.”
Terry reasoned that as long as they had access
to power and water, doing haemodialysis in a
caravan would be no different to at home.
He did his research, spoke to the trainers and
technicians, and bought a second-hand caravan.
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