Taking care of yourself at home – Enthusiasm for life returned – Focus of VGR

Hans Fritzen fell ill and thought his life was about to end – but then came the turning point. When he started dialysis, life was almost able to return to normal. Dialysis is a way for people with kidney disease to manage their treatment at home, and is an example of how care can be provided close to the patient.

Hans Fritzen noticed that his body began to swell more and more. He was feeling nauseous almost all the time and had no appetite. The life force has disappeared.

– I was urgently admitted to Sahlgrenska and there I was told that my kidney function had deteriorated dramatically. They told me I would need dialysis. At first I didn’t understand anything.

Zest of life returned

He was informed that there are two ways he can do dialysis, either he can come to the hospital for dialysis several times a week or he can do dialysis on his own at home, using peritoneal dialysis which is colloquially known as hemodialysis.

– I decided quickly. For me, it didn’t feel like a good option to go to the hospital often. I want my freedom and to be able to travel to my daughter or the family home in Spain without relying on a nearby hospital.

He did not regret his choice. With cyst dialysis, his strength returned and he regained his zest for life.

– I feel very handicapped because of my knees. Dialysis has become a part of everyday life.

The peritoneum acts as a filter

The time is approaching twelve in the morning. Four times a day, Hans Fritzen drains new dialysis fluid and refills his stomach. The new fluid contains sugar and salts that are supposed to draw waste and water out of the body. The peritoneum of the body acts as a filter.

He hangs a bag full of dialysis fluid on a long drip stand next to the bed, while placing an empty bag on the floor.

– It’s really not rocket science. It is about having different heights. When I sit on the bed and empty the liquid from the abdomen, the liquid flows out and ends up in the bag on the floor. And vice versa when I’m full. Then the dialysis fluid flows from the pregnant woman directly into the abdomen.

He lifted his shirt and showed a dialysis catheter implanted in his stomach. He usually has a cap on the outside end of the catheter and is placed in a patch pocket on his stomach.

Solve Sudoku at the same time

When it’s time for dialysis, Hans Fritzén begins by removing the cork from the catheter, so that he can first drain the old fluid and then refill it with the new fluid. He connects the opening of the catheter to a Y connector with two tubes going into each bag, one tube into the new dialysis fluid bag and one tube into the empty bag. With the help of clamps, he can open and close the hoses in each bag.

– The only thing I should be fully aware of is that I’ve sealed the hose in the bag that I’m not using. Otherwise, dialysis is like a half-hour break. At the same time, I usually do sudoku, talk on the phone or just don’t take it easy.

“I feel completely safe”

Even if he is somewhere other than home, he can use the same procedure.

– I always have a few bags of dialysis fluid and strings in the car. The only thing required is that I can tie the bag somewhere high, say at the top of a door, so that the dialysis fluid flows down when I fill up with fresh fluid, says Hans Fritzen.

He goes every six weeks for a check-up at the peritoneal dialysis clinic at Sahlgrenska University Hospital, and can also call there as soon as he needs help.

– I feel completely satisfied and safe administering dialysis myself.

The liquid is delivered to your home

Every two weeks, Hans Fritzen orders new dialysis fluid, which is taken home. He thinks it’s great service.

The only drawbacks he can think of with the treatment are that dialysis bags take up storage space and can feel heavy when carrying around two kilograms of dialysis fluid in a bag. As an inventor by profession, he has considered other options.

– If it is possible to increase the concentration of sugar and salt in the solution, the bags can be half as large. It was perfect to be able to take a bag with you on trips without a car.

Text and images: Christina Carlberg
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Hans Fritzen

age: 81 years old.
Living: Villa in Askim.
Make: retired. But sometimes he still works on the development of technical products in the company, which he has now handed over to his son.
Interests: Water gym three times a week, meet the “old man gang” and play on the trot, go on trips, be in the park and spend time with the kids and grandkids.