Editor's Note: Since the writing of this article, Mrs. Prudence Cohen passed away. Prudence was very committed to many issues affecting kidney patients and served in several organizations as a patient advocate and leader, including the AAKP Board of Directors over the past two years. She will be fondly remembered by AAKP for her positive outlook on life and her enthusiastic support for fellow kidney patients.

When I was 26 years old, my kidneys failed and I had to make the decision as to whether to go on hemodialysis or have a kidney transplant. I chose hemodialysis. As a newly diagnosed patient, I was married and employed with Southwestern Bell Telephone Company at a job that I found enjoyable and challenging. The decisions related to kidney failure would affect myself and my family for the rest of my life.

During this period of time, I was in and out of the hospital for various complications. My family was very supportive and caring, but I felt the need for relationships with other patients and a group like AAKP, whose members understood what I was experiencing. I was given books and materials to read and I became a serious reader on my condition. I learned that chronic renal failure did not mean a shortened life span.

I started thinking how I would make the most out of everyday that I had. I made the decision that I would live life to its fullest. I made new priorities for myself and at the top of the list was peace of mind.

As soon as my priorities were in place, I started college at Del Mar in Corpus Christi, TX with a major in psychology.

After receiving my Associates Degree from Del Mar in psychology, I attended Texas A&M. My field of study was Behavior Sciences and I received my BA degree in 1989. To complete my education while on dialysis, I attended Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio and the University of Houston at Clear Lake, just outside Houston. I received my master's degree in Marriage and Family Therapy.

In 1988, my husband, Phillip, suggested after a long stay in the hospital, that we think seriously about home hemodialysis. A nurse suggested that this was an option for us to consider. Together, we had a visit with my doctor who agreed to our request and we became the first home patients in South Texas in 1989. Phillip and I were trained in Spohn Hospital in Corpus Christi for one month. After two weeks at home with a dialysis nurse, we were on our own. Home dialysis has helped me to accomplish many of my priorities and to establish my own timetable for dialysis as well as my volunteer activities. We have been able to travel to much of the United States and many foreign countries. In 2000, Phillip and I joined Dr. Stephen Fadem of Houston, Dr. Robert Lockridge of Lynchburg, VA and Dr. Chris Blagg of Seattle to petition Congress to amend the 2001 Medicare Act to include daily nighttime dialysis.

During my college experience, I maintained an active schedule of volunteer work, along with a full schedule of classes, served on various committees at the university and continued to actively support patients and their families with Kidney KOPE (a program to help patients cope with kidney disease). On the written recommendation of State Senator Carlos Truan, I was nominated and elected to a two-year term on the Texas Department of Health State Kidney Health Program Advisory Committee in March of 1987. The purpose of the Advisory Committee is to provide technical input and general recommendations to the state legislature on issues regarding the Department of Health for its Kidney Health Program.

I did volunteer work for the dialysis center where I was the only home patient. I assisted the social worker in visiting with newly diagnosed patients and their families. I became a board member of the Texas Coastal Bend Affiliate of the National Kidney Foundation and became chairperson of Kidney KOPE. Kidney KOPE was created by social workers, several nurses and myself as we saw a real need for a patient support group. The group had Christmas parties, picnics and a monthly meeting where speakers addressed topics of interest to patients and family members. One of my major goals was to arrange training for experienced dialysis patients to visit newly diagnosed patients and their families.

In 1986, I married Phillip Cohen, an International Marketing Executive and, now a professor of International Business at San Jacinto College in Houston, Texas. I had the opportunity to dialyze in South and Latin America. In 1992, I accompanied my husband to Ecuador to inspect the produce fields and talk to the growers. The first stop was Quito, the capital city. The dialysis procedure there is much different than in the United States. They don't have any free-standing units there, so I checked myself into the hospital. I don't think they see many patients visit from the United States.

The next stop was Guayaquil where there were more people on dialysis. I went to Kennedy Hospital (named for JFK). The hospital had a small dialysis center in the doctor's office. I was placed on an exam table next to the dialysis machine. I also traveled to Chile and made several visits to Mexico City. As international travelers, the United States State Department made our arrangements for the doctors and dialysis locations. The medical treatment was outstanding and the care given to me was greatly appreciated.

In 2001, I have continued to support my goal in life: to live each hour to the fullest. I am an active Life Member of AAKP, serving on its Board of Directors. I have also developed and facilitated two patient support groups, worked with a dialysis chain in their pre-ESRD education program, received the Charles G. Gallagher award for outstanding service for three consecutive years and was awarded a commendation for a pioneering effort during the development of CAPD (continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis) from Baxter Healthcare.

I support the goals and objectives of AAKP. I will continue to serve AAKP in building a broader base of patient support and to assist AAKP in developing the concept that dialysis patients can and do make contributions on a global level.

My husband Phillip is also active in AAKP, serving on the AAKP Convention Committee in 2000 and 2001. Dialysis is a family affair and we share this part of our life. As I complete my 26th year on dialysis, I am truly grateful for life and all the opportunities afforded me. I will continue to share with patients that chronic renal failure is a beginning to live life to the fullest.

This article originally appeared in the January 2002 issue of aakpRENALIFE, Vol. 17, No. 4.

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