New To Dialysis, Rick Farmer Grateful For Nurses’ Support
Posted in Articles by Dialysis Clinic, Inc.
For nearly a year, distinguished Louisiana petroleum engineer and college professor Rick Farmer relied on REACH Care Manager Julie to navigate his progressing chronic kidney disease (CKD) and a smooth transition to dialysis.
With a known family history, Rick Farmer’s physician connected him to REACH Kidney Care after routine lab work indicated his kidney health was declining.
Rick and his wife met regularly with Julie to monitor lab values, learn about CKD and prepare for in-center hemodialysis when the time came, including surgery to create a vascular access. Rick’s need for additional care came quicker than anyone anticipated.
On December 26, during a check-in call, Julie noted that Rick was feeling poorly and displaying signs of uremia, including loss of appetite, itching and pale skin color. Julie knew it was time to act and coordinated with Rick’s nephrologist and the DCI Broussard, La., care team to get Rick started on dialysis as quickly as possible. She also stayed in contact with Rick and his family to make sure he was doing okay. Two days later, he began the next phase of his kidney care journey he calls “his new beginning.”
Rick credits Julie and the DCI Broussard employees with his smooth transition. “It would not have been possible to get set up on dialysis without Julie and DCI,” he said.
Rick appreciates the Broussard clinic’s organization, professionalism and timeliness, and that he’s always greeted with a friendly face. “I like seeing the same people each time I’m there,” he said. Rick notices how well the employees work together and how Nurse Manager Kevin makes it feel like a big family. Most of all, he appreciates the clinic’s flexibility. They help him create the schedule that works best for him, giving him the greatest balance between dialysis and daily life with his family.
Now, after several months on dialysis, Rick’s quality of life has improved. “I feel 100% better than I did before dialysis,” he said. His treatments allow him to enjoy time with family, gardening and other hobbies. He appreciates doing normal tasks like grocery shopping and teaching petroleum engineering at The University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
As with any chronic illness, there are days when Rick doesn’t feel his best. He still considers himself lucky, and his positive outlook helps him on the days when he’s feeling tired and sick after treatment.
Rick’s distinguished 40-year career in the oil industry, including supporting the Deepwater Horizon underwater leak response, is a testament to his resilience, leadership and quick thinking under pressure. These skills also support his new phase of life.
Rick emphasizes the importance of having support and that dialysis doesn’t have to be scary. “Find something that motivates you to keep going,” he shares. For Rick, that’s his wife and three daughters, who have been by his side through various health challenges, including diabetes and the oil rig accident that paralyzed him from the waist down. “I wouldn’t have made it through this without them,” he said. They encourage him each day, and he strives to take his health seriously and get on the transplant list for them and himself.
Dialysis has not only helped Rick feel better, but it has also given him hope. “I want to live a long life, I want to be here a long time,” he said.
We celebrate Julie, Kevin and all REACH Care Managers and DCI nurses for supporting Rick and all our patients as they navigate their kidney health journeys. Thank you for all that you do!
Read more about Rick’s petroleum engineering career: https://oilmanmagazine.com/article/in-his-words-rick-farmers-journey-40-years-of-drilling-and-completions-in-the-oilfield/
