“I am getting better with nocturnal dialysis. My bloodwork is incredible and I feel a 100 times stronger,” says Gina.

Gina never could have imagined that a simple scrape on the shin could lead to total organ failure, until it happened to her.

In 2022, just a few days after New Years, Gina was rushed to �������, in complete organ failure and heart block.

She started hemodialysis immediately and was admitted to the Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for two months, with her husband John, right by her bedside the whole time.

While in intensive care, Gina suffered another setback – an aneurysm, heart valve rupture, and endocarditis that required an emergency seven-hour open-heart surgery. Following her surgery, she remained in a coma for another month, waking up without the ability to see, move, or speak.

For 14 months, she stayed at ������� for rehabilitation, where she was given a speech valve to help her speak and physiotherapy to help her move her arms. John, helped her exercise her legs every morning, and Gina felt his support every step of the way.

“My husband stayed with me the entire time. He never left my side. The nurses called him their hero,” says Gina.

By the time Gina was well enough to return home, John had learned so much from the nurses that he was able to become her primary caregiver.

Due to her extensive health conditions and seeing that it would be nearly impossible for her to get to the Hospital, her Nephrologist , recommended her for home dialysis.

After she was discharged from the Hospital, Gina began training at the for hemodialysis with nurse Jennifer, who later ended up coming to her house to also train John for three months.

Eventually, she began nocturnal dialysis, which allowed her to dialyze for seven hours at night. Due to this type of dialysis, she is able to walk properly, continue her physiotherapy, and heal from her wounds much faster.

Nocturnal dialysis is a slower, longer hemodialysis treatment that takes place at night while you sleep. This longer treatment is for six to eight hours, three times or more a week.

Every night, John helps Gina set up for home dialysis.

“I am getting better with nocturnal dialysis. My bloodwork is incredible and I feel a 100 times stronger,” says Gina.

Now, thanks to nocturnal dialysis, Gina is a candidate for a kidney transplant. She attributes this to the ICU staff at �������.

“I had the most amazing team. They became my friends and my mentors,” says Gina. “They are kind and caring. Now, every time they see me, they come over and applaud my progress.”

Empowering Nephrology Patients: Transition Care Unit

Learning to live with kidney failure is a significant adjustment for both patients and their families. Thanks to the support of our donors, Humber continues to uphold its promise of accessible healthcare by developing programing like our Transition Care Unit, which empower nephrology patients with greater flexibility and autonomy over their treatment. To learn more, please contact Caterina Magisano at cmagisano@hrh.ca

The post Feeling 100 Times Stronger: How Nocturnal Dialysis Changed Gina’s Life appeared first on Hennick Humber Hospital Foundation.

“There are no words for how the team at Humber makes me feel, it’s like another family,” says Lioudmila. “This program changed my life.”

In 2017, when Lioudmila received permission from Toronto Community Housing to dialyze at home, she was in heaven.

A single mother of five children, she was 39 years old when she first started peritoneal dialysis (PD) at another Toronto hospital. However, she got sick after only a year and a half in, and her friend took her to �������’s Church Site Emergency Department where she was admitted.

There, she met her Nephrologist , who in 2015, told her the PD treatment was not working and they decided to switch over to hemodialysis instead.

“With PD, I felt very depressed. I could not eat properly. I would have one bite and be full, due to the fluids inside my body,” says Lioudmila.

However, the new hemodialysis schedule took a lot of time and effort. Lioudmila had to come to the Hospital three times a week for hours at a time for her treatment. Her healthcare needs made it difficult to find work or pay rent. “The team at ������� was so kind to me,” says Lioudmila. “I tear up remembering it. I don’t have family in Canada and I kept wondering who’s going to be with my kids.”

Originally, Toronto Public Housing rejected Lioudmila’s request for home dialysis, but her Humber team worked hard to get it approved, working with the lawyers to get permission and taking care of everything including the water line her machine would need.

With the approval of dialyzing at home, Lioudmila’s life changed. She was able to do more around the house, spend more time with her kids and dialyze at night.

������� helps patients like Lioudmila train for how to dialyze at home, enabling them to live their best lives through customizable treatment plans.

The Hospital helped Lioudmila train for how to dialyze at home. She recalls the first time she went in for dialysis training, thinking she would not be able to learn how to use it.

“I was so scared – at the Hospital I couldn’t even look at my blood when someone else was doing it. But they gave me confidence and now, years later, I feel like a professional,” says Lioudmila.

One of the nurses on Lioudmila’s team, Jennifer, played a pivotal role in her dialysis journey at �������. She went home with her for the first time after getting at-home dialysis approval to help navigate the machine and would call to see how she was doing.

“She was my angel. She would do regular checkups at my home to make sure the kids and I were okay,” says Lioudmila.

“Before home dialysis, I would just want to stay in bed and not get up,” says Lioudmila. “Now, I wake up in the morning with so much energy, feeling like a new person.”

Her routine is much more manageable. She comes in monthly to drop off her bloodwork and visits for check-ups every few months.

“There are no words for how the team at Humber makes me feel, it’s like another family,” says Lioudmila. “This program changed my life.”

Louidmila would like to thank the numerous doctors, nurses, social workers and the entire dialysis team for helping her and her family through tough times.

Empowering Nephrology Patients: Transition Care Unit

Learning to live with kidney failure is a significant adjustment for both patients and their families. Thanks to the support of our donors, Humber continues to uphold its promise of accessible healthcare by developing programing like our Transition Care Unit, which empower nephrology patients with greater flexibility and autonomy over their treatment. To learn more, please contact Caterina Magisano at cmagisano@hrh.ca

The post Home Dialysis Changed My Life: Lioudmila’s Story appeared first on Hennick Humber Hospital Foundation.

Initially, Suzana navigated the challenges of in-hospital hemodialysis at another Ontario hospital, including travelling throughout the week for hours-long dialysis sessions. However, it was a surprise discovery while watching television that introduced her to home dialysis.

“I was watching TV one day when I saw a women talking about home dialysis. She showed a machine in her home and everything. I had no idea this existed!” says Suzana. This newfound discovery fed Suzana’s determination to explore home dialysis as an option.

“Home dialysis allows me to focus on what truly matters and to cherish every moment of my life.” says Suzana.

allows patients to perform and manage treatments in the comfort and privacy of their own homes, offering a level of customization and independence that isn’t achievable with in-centre dialysis.

Suzana was disappointed to learn the hospital she received treatment at didn’t offer home dialysis, but remained steadfast in her pursuit of finding a home dialysis option that would afford her greater freedom and flexibility.

“When it comes to dialysis, I’m my own advocate,” says Suzana. Her drive ultimately led her to �������, where she found a supportive team, including the late Dr. Andreas Pierratos, who enthusiastically embraced home dialysis as part of her treatment plan. Over a decade later, Suzana is still practicing home dialysis through Humber.

For Suzana, home dialysis has been nothing short of life changing, providing her with a newfound sense of independence and empowerment.

The impact of home dialysis on Suzana’s quality of life cannot be overstated. “It’s given me options in life I never thought possible,” says Suzana. “Home dialysis allows me to focus on what truly matters and to cherish every moment of my life.”

By having the option to customize her dialysis routine to fit her lifestyle, Suzana has regained control over her life, allowing her to pursue her passions, travel, and cherish precious moments with family and friends. Having a personalized home dialysis routine has even allowed her to become a personal trainer! “I can eat whatever I want, go wherever I want and live the life I want to live. It’s given me freedom, big freedom!” says Suzana.

Some of Suzana’s advocacy work includes helping the home dialysis team at Humber where she speaks to and comforts incoming patients. “I want people to know that home dialysis can be a fearless process that can change their day to day life.” says Suzana.

By sharing her story, Suzana hopes to raise awareness about home dialysis as a viable treatment option, empowering others to reclaim their independence and live life to the fullest. “I am forever grateful for my team at Humber. Thank you for giving me my life back!”

Empowering Nephrology Patients: Transition Care Unit

Learning to live with kidney failure is a significant adjustment for both patients and their families. Thanks to the support of our donors, Humber continues to uphold its promise of accessible healthcare by developing programing like our Transition Care Unit, which empower nephrology patients with greater flexibility and autonomy over their treatment. To learn more, please contact Caterina Magisano at cmagisano@hrh.ca

The post Big Freedom: How Home Dialysis Gave Suzana the Life She Dreamed Of appeared first on Hennick Humber Hospital Foundation.

Our Church Campus offers comprehensive Nephrology services including the General Nephrology Clinic, Home Hemodialysis Services, the Multi-Care Kidney Clinic, and now, the Transition Care Unit.

Yesterday marked the official grand opening of the Transition Care Unit (TCU) at �������’s Church Campus.

��ܳ������’s currently performs approximately 62,000 hemodialysis treatments annually. At the Church Campus, we offer comprehensive services including the General Nephrology Clinic, Home Hemodialysis Services, the Multi-Care Kidney Clinic, and now, the Transition Care Unit.

What is the Transition Care Unit (TCU)?

The TCU is a home-like environment for patients who are new to dialysis. It encompasses a four-week program that helps both patients and their families adjust to life with kidney failure.

The TCU enables patients to receive home dialysis training in a more realistic home-like environment. Over the course of the program, patients work alongside the kidney care team and craft a customized dialysis treatment which is best suited for them and their specific needs.

Over the course of the program, patients work alongside the kidney care team that consists of nephrologists, dialysis nurses, dieticians, social workers, and coordinators.

Each member has a different role throughout the patient’s dialysis journey, from helping them manage kidney care and helping patient’s adjust their lifestyle to the new changes, to educating patients on the treatment options and navigating the Nephrology program.

In the first two weeks of the TCU program, patients meet members of their kidney care team and learn more information about dialysis, the different options that are available, and the best care options for their health while being on dialysis.

By the last week, patients have a better understanding of what type of dialysis treatment is best suited for them, whether that is peritoneal dialysis, home/nocturnal hemodialysis, and in-centre or self-care dialysis.

Thanks to the support of our donors, Humber continues to uphold its promise of accessible healthcare by developing programing like the TCU, which empower patients with greater flexibility and autonomy over their treatment.

History of Home Dialysis at Humber

In the late 1990s, Humber became one of the first hospitals in North America to establish a nocturnal home dialysis program, led by the late Dr. Andreas Pierratos, a pioneer and trailblazer in this field.

Home dialysis gives patients more flexibility when it comes to maintaining an independent and active lifestyle. It also allows for more frequent and longer treatments, which, in turn, can lead to improved clinical outcomes.

Despite home hemodialysis being more complex, requiring more patient training, and potential plumbing and electrical upgrades to a home, it is the preferred method for our patients. At Humber, 18% of patients are on home hemodialysis, compared to the provincial average of 5.1%.

Learning to live with kidney failure is a significant adjustment for both patients and their families. Thanks to the support of our donors, Humber continues to uphold its promise of accessible healthcare by developing programing like the TCU, which empower patients with greater flexibility and autonomy over their treatment.

The post Empowering Nephrology Patients: Transition Care Unit opens at ������� appeared first on Hennick Humber Hospital Foundation.

This past October, a plaque in honour of Rose Guzzo was unveiled in Humber River Hospital’s Dialysis Unit at the Wilson site. Rose’s sons Marco and Eugene were there to mark the occasion which was extra special since it took place on Rose’s birthday. They explain why making this gift in honour of their mom is so important to them:

“It was in her nature to give. Even when she was sick and didn’t feel well, she continued to take care of others. Mom was always a positive person. You always felt better after talking to her,” recalls Eugene.

The inscription reads: In loving honour of Rose Guzzo, Always giving, Always smiling.

Her sons hope the plaque serves as a reminder to those reading it to stay positive.

The inscription reads:

In loving honour of Rose Guzzo
Always giving
Always smiling

“The staff at Humber did a great job looking after her and keeping her with us for all these years. She would come home talking about how nice people were,” Marco recalls with a smile. “We will forever be grateful for the experience Mom had here at Humber. We hope the inscription brings a smile to people’s faces and for the staff members who knew her, we hope it jogs a positive memory of Mom.” One of those caregivers was Dr. Andreas Pierratos, a long-time and well-loved Humber Nephrologist. Rose’s family remembers her speaking about Dr. Pierratos’ kindness…even earning the title of Rose’s favourite doctor!

“I remember Rose fondly. She always greeted me with a warm smile and kind words,” remembers Dr. Pierratos. “I was impressed at how astute she was when giving feedback about her care, how resilient she remained through adversity, and how ably she made the right choices. Rose understood the issues and handled them stoically. She will be missed.”

For Rose’s family, being able to honour her in the halls of Humber has brought with it some closure and peace, even though her loss is still felt.

“We miss her, but know she’s now an angel looking over us, and looking over this unit at Humber. We hope she’s enjoying some of her favourite things from above. She loved to dance and listen to music. Thanks to me and Marco, she even grew to love Guns N’ Roses!” shares Eugene.

“We will forever be grateful for the experience Mom had here at Humber. We hope the inscription brings a smile to people’s faces and for the staff members who knew her, we hope it jogs a positive memory of Mom,” says Marco.

Do you have a loved one you would like to honour or remember at Humber?   to learn more about the options.

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“I got the call later that there was a lot of blood in my urine,” remembers Keith. “My kidneys were functioning at 33%.”

Keith was referred to a specialist and over the years his doctors did what they could to preserve his kidney function. Eventually, when they started functioning at less than 10%, he started peritoneal dialysis.

The donor-funded NxStage machine allows Keith to dialyze at home on his own schedule, so he can continue to work any shift he wants.

“More complications started last year,” says Keith. “The line wasn’t draining properly, and after that was fixed it started leaking. I was told that I would need hemodialysis for a month at Humber River Hospital’s Wilson Site.”

Keith’s new dialysis schedule was challenging. Three times a week, he made the trip from Milton to Humber River Hospital for a four-hour treatment. Despite the Hospital and staff’s best efforts to make sure all Dialysis patients are comfortable, the journey and the treatment took a lot out of him.

“Around this time, COVID-19 started affecting the airline industry and I lost my job,” says Keith. “I also learned that I was going to continue needing hemodialysis. I wanted to find a new job. I wanted to keep working, but I didn’t know how I could make that work with hemodialysis at the Hospital three times a week.”

When Keith found a new job he expressed his concerns to his care team.

“When they got back to me they told me they had great news – there was a NxStage home-hemodialysis machine available for me,” says Keith. “After two weeks of training to use the machine myself, I started my new job.”

The donor-funded NxStage machine allows Keith to dialyze at home on his own schedule. He uses it every day while he watches TV, plays video games, or relaxes at home.

“I feel significantly better and can work any shift I want,” says Keith. “I even have more energy and a stronger appetite. Thank you to the donors who have made that possible.”

The post NxStage Home Dialysis: Keith’s Story appeared first on Hennick Humber Hospital Foundation.

“Since my dad started using NxStage, he has been less tired after sessions,” says Robert. “He now dialyzes daily for shorter lengths of time. He uses the time to watch TV, take a nap, or catch up with friends and family over the phone.”

When Robert’s father Umberto started needing dialysis in 2019, he knew what to expect. He was sad that his father would need the same challenging treatment and schedule that his mother had.

For a year, Umberto had to travel from his retirement home to Humber River Hospital, three times a week, to dialyze for three and a half hours at a time. It took time, mental energy, and was physically tiring.

“A few months after my dad started dialysis, COVID-19 arrived and Toronto went into lockdown,” says Robert. “On top of everything, we started to be concerned that he would be exposed to the virus during his frequent trips out of the retirement home. He needed this life-saving treatment, but that fear was always in the back of our minds.”

Then, Umberto was given the opportunity to start using NxStage, a donor-funded home-dialysis machine from Humber River Hospital that he could use in the comfort of his retirement home with the help of a personal support worker.

“Since my dad started using NxStage, he has been less tired after sessions,” says Robert. “He now dialyzes daily for shorter lengths of time. He uses the time to watch TV, take a nap, or catch up with friends and family over the phone.”

Robert’s family, who had been living overseas, recently moved back to Toronto and Umberto will soon be moving in with them. The NxStage machine will move with Umberto into Robert’s home, and his personal support worker will continue to visit to manage his dialysis. The machine is only slightly larger than a nightstand and has very simple plumbing and electricity requirements, which his new home can easily accommodate.

“Using NxStage has saved my dad so much hassle, but also has noticeably changed his energy,” says Robert. “We feel really lucky that my dad will be able to move in with us, while continuing his treatment at home.”

The NxStage Program at Humber River Hospital has been generously funded by our donors. Today we would like to thank Greenwin Corp. for supporting this program and changing the lives of patients like Umberto.

The post NxStage Home Dialysis: Umberto’s Story appeared first on Hennick Humber Hospital Foundation.

Nearly 40 years ago, David was diagnosed with kidney disease.

“My life changed overnight,” says David. “For the rest of my life, I was going to need dialysis 3 times a week for 4 hours at a time. Little did I know that Dr. Pierratos was going to pioneer a dialysis solution that would change my life once again.”

Because of Humber River Hospital’s program, David can do his own dialysis, at home, while he’s sleeping.

“It’s this kind of passion and innovation that makes me a proud supporter of the Foundation,” he says. “I see for myself, every single day, how dedicated the Humber team is to my health care. I can’t imagine my life without our Hospital.”

David has made the choice to leave Humber in his Will, making him part of the Aspen Grove Society, the Foundation’s legacy giving program.

“I know the money will be used well, just as it is today,” he says. “I believe that all of us have a responsibility to support our Hospital today and into the future. It feels really good to know that the Hospital will continue to be there for my loved ones and for other people like me, forever.”

To learn more about the Aspen Grove Society click here.

The post David’s Home Dialysis Story: Humber Changed My Life appeared first on Hennick Humber Hospital Foundation.

“The best way to bring patients home is to fit dialysis into their home lifestyle,” says Rebecca Law, Humber River Hospital’s Home Dialysis Coordinator

Many of these patients travel to the hospital for dialysis for several hours about three times a week. It is a massive commitment, the commute is not always easy, and having dialysis only three times a week can lead to a lot of fluctuation in their bodies and in their health.

“Research shows that home dialysis is better for their health, because patients can dialyze at home for more hours,” says Rebecca Law, Humber River Hospital’s Home Dialysis Coordinator. “And the best way to bring patients home is to fit dialysis into their home lifestyle.”

For most patients, the more dialysis they have, the less their bodies fluctuate in between treatments and the better they feel. Many home dialysis patients dialyze 5-6 times a week – some even nightly.

But many patients don’t have the physical space to have a home dialysis set up. That’s where innovations like NxStage come in.

NxStage is a home dialysis machine that is only slightly larger than your nightstand – half the size of the traditional home alternative. It is simple to use, and requires very little changes to your home electrical and plumbing.

“It was no problem learning to use the machine,” says Helen (right) who is trained to use the NxStage machine for her mother-in-law Ms. Vu (middle).

Ms. Vu lives in a cozy bungalow, home to 4 adults and 4 children. While she was on conventional dialysis at the hospital awaiting her home dialysis machine, she was dialyzing 3 times a week. She felt okay – but never great. She now uses the NxStage home dialysis machine 6 days a week with the help of her daughter-in-law Helen. Helen’s training took only 10 days.

“It was no problem learning to use the machine,” says Helen. “It is easy to use. While she’s having her dialysis she can relax. She watches TV or sometimes she even sleeps.”

“When she had dialysis three times a week, she used to feel tired,” says Ms. Vu’s son Toan. “Now she feels much better. She’s eating more. She looks younger!”

Home dialysis is now an option for patients with limited space. They can learn to do it themselves, or they can have the support of a family member or .

“When deciding between home dialysis options, we want to see what will fit best into our patients’ lives,” says Rebecca. “For our patients who live in smaller homes, like Ms. Vu, NxStage is a life changing option for them.”

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