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Dialysis without Fear: A Guide to Living Well on Dialysis for Patients and Their Families
More than 400,000 people in the United States undergo kidney dialysis. If you or a member of your family are one of them, then the prospect of a regular appointment with a dialysis machine may seem like the end of life itself. But that reaction couldn't be more wrong.
In Dialysis Without Fear , psychiatrist and dialysis patient Dr. Daniel Offer joins with his wife, Marjorie Kaiz Offer, and daughter, Susan Offer Szafir, to reveal how life can be lived--and lived well--on dialysis. Drawing on his long medical career and more than seven years of personal experience with dialysis, Dr. Offer dispels many misconceptions surrounding this treatment, explaining how you can adapt to the new diet, travel, work and continue to partake in life's joys and celebrations. But the fears and hardships can be quite real, and Dr. Offer brings his years as a psychiatrist to bear as he provides practical advice on how patients can overcome them. Walking through each step of dialysis, he explains different types of treatment, examines the pros and cons of a transplant, and discusses side effects. Since dialysis affects the entire family, Dr. Offer and his coauthors also provide realistic insights into how relatives can cope and thrive together, sharing the humor,
courage, and triumphs of real families who have successfully faced the challenges of dialysis. The result is an inspiring, practical guide that will help you and your family learn to overcome the difficulties of dialysis, live without fear, and enjoy every day.
In Dialysis Without Fear , psychiatrist and dialysis patient Dr. Daniel Offer joins with his wife, Marjorie Kaiz Offer, and daughter, Susan Offer Szafir, to reveal how life can be lived--and lived well--on dialysis. Drawing on his long medical career and more than seven years of personal experience with dialysis, Dr. Offer dispels many misconceptions surrounding this treatment, explaining how you can adapt to the new diet, travel, work and continue to partake in life's joys and celebrations. But the fears and hardships can be quite real, and Dr. Offer brings his years as a psychiatrist to bear as he provides practical advice on how patients can overcome them. Walking through each step of dialysis, he explains different types of treatment, examines the pros and cons of a transplant, and discusses side effects. Since dialysis affects the entire family, Dr. Offer and his coauthors also provide realistic insights into how relatives can cope and thrive together, sharing the humor,
courage, and triumphs of real families who have successfully faced the challenges of dialysis. The result is an inspiring, practical guide that will help you and your family learn to overcome the difficulties of dialysis, live without fear, and enjoy every day.
258 pages, Paperback
First published May 30, 2007
6 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Daniel Offer
19 booksDaniel Offer was professor emeritus at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine. His research focused mainly on adolescent psychiatry.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 11, 2007
A patient at the dialysis facility where I am the social worker wrote this book with his wife and daughter. I would strongly recommend it to anyone facing kidney failure or with a family member or friend who will have to begin dialysis soon. It is unfailingly optimistic and compassionate, without glossing over the challenges and trials a dialysis patient faces. It is very will researched and written, and liberally sprinkled with stories of people who are thriving on dialysis.
August 2, 2015
I rarely leave reviews for books, but I feel compelled to do so on behalf of this wonderfully helpful book. It deserves more than its 3.5-star average rating on GoodReads.
If you are new to dialysis, or are a family member with a loved one facing kidney failure, this book will help you navigate the waters of treatment options. It's written in an accessible way, with a mix of practical advice, medical knowledge and first-hand stories from people who have experienced kidney failure themselves. It takes you step-by-step through everything you'll be facing in the early days of transitioning to dialysis, including an overview of diet and meal planning, as well as helpful resources for financial and disability assistance.
Although it does not go into the medical science of kidney failure and treatment options in depth, it gives you enough so that you'll feel like you have a handle on what's happening and which questions to ask. One of the best parts of this book is its upbeat tone: while it doesn't water down the challenges of life on dialysis, it gives you information and advice in a positive, encouraging way.
If it's your first time on dialysis, or you're trying to help someone make the transition, this is a great book. Once you read it, you'll probably find yourself recommending it to the rest of your family, too.
If you are new to dialysis, or are a family member with a loved one facing kidney failure, this book will help you navigate the waters of treatment options. It's written in an accessible way, with a mix of practical advice, medical knowledge and first-hand stories from people who have experienced kidney failure themselves. It takes you step-by-step through everything you'll be facing in the early days of transitioning to dialysis, including an overview of diet and meal planning, as well as helpful resources for financial and disability assistance.
Although it does not go into the medical science of kidney failure and treatment options in depth, it gives you enough so that you'll feel like you have a handle on what's happening and which questions to ask. One of the best parts of this book is its upbeat tone: while it doesn't water down the challenges of life on dialysis, it gives you information and advice in a positive, encouraging way.
If it's your first time on dialysis, or you're trying to help someone make the transition, this is a great book. Once you read it, you'll probably find yourself recommending it to the rest of your family, too.
June 12, 2014
I searched the Internet for books on dialysis and came upon this book.
This book gives an overview of dialysis and attempts to strip the mystery surrounding dialysis. It goes on to show how you can live a happy life whiles on dialysis. It is a good informative book for someone new to dialysis and the families and friends of dialysis patients.
As someone who has been on dialysis for many years, I could relate to all the revelations in the book and a lot of the info was not new to me. The emotions revealed were dead on.
The reader gets to discover dialysis told from a patient and caregiver perspective.
I would highly recommend this book especially to someone starting dialysis.
This book gives an overview of dialysis and attempts to strip the mystery surrounding dialysis. It goes on to show how you can live a happy life whiles on dialysis. It is a good informative book for someone new to dialysis and the families and friends of dialysis patients.
As someone who has been on dialysis for many years, I could relate to all the revelations in the book and a lot of the info was not new to me. The emotions revealed were dead on.
The reader gets to discover dialysis told from a patient and caregiver perspective.
I would highly recommend this book especially to someone starting dialysis.
August 23, 2014
A good introduction to lots of topics around the "new normal" when dialysis is a part of your life or the life of someone close to you. This book covers all modalities but mostly assumes hemodialysis will be in-center rather than home.
March 30, 2015
this was a very helpful book for me. the only thing keeping me from giving a full 5 stars is that this book is almost entirely catered to hemodialysis patients. nevertheless, it provides a great resource of knowledge to calm the nerves of any dialysis patient or family member.
August 30, 2015
Lots of info for those who are about to go into dialysis.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews