In May 2004, after being treated for uterine cancer, Diane’s kidneys began failing, and she was eventually diagnosed with end stage renal disease.

Toward the end of 2005 Diane began dialysis treatments three times a week in a local center — with each session lasting three to four hours. Diane remembers, “I felt so restricted. My whole life was based around going to the center for my dialysis treatments. My husband had just retired, and I wanted more freedom and flexibility to enjoy our time together.”

After being on in-center dialysis for almost a year and a half, Diane wanted to know what other options were available to her. In late 2006 her life changed. She learned about a new, portable dialysis machine, called NxStage, that enables patients to perform treatments in their own homes, on vacation or even on the road.

Diane knew the treatment sounded better for her than anything else she tried. “Once I started using NxStage, I felt great! I am 100% better both mentally and physically. Going to the center was extremely restrictive. My whole outlook on life now is much more positive, especially because I am able to spend more time enjoying life!”

With the help of her husband, her trained partner, Diane uses NxStage in her home six times a week for about two and a half hours. Diane loves the freedom and flexibility of NxStage, because she can do her treatments at a time that is convenient for her, as opposed to working around the clinic’s schedule. Since patients perform treatments on a more frequent basis, the NxStage System functions more like a real kidney, which has major health benefits.

Recently, Diane and her husband went on a two-week RV trip. Thanks to NxStage, she was able to do her dialysis treatments on the road in her RV. Diane looks forward to more RV trips and continuing to feel better overall. “NxStage has been life-changing. I would recommend this to anyone!”