Patient Stories: Manuel Sanchez
El Paso man with end stage renal disease beats the odds with at-home dialysis treatment for more than 12 years
When El Paso resident Manuel Sanchez was first told he had incurable polycystic kidney disease in 1990, he was so shocked by the diagnosis he didn't return for treatment for another three years. Despite his rocky beginning, Sanchez has become not just a survivor, but one who has achieved a remarkable quality of life.
Sanchez is in his twelfth year of ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (APD), using a Baxter HomeChoice® automated peritoneal dialysis system and supplies provided by Baxter Healthcare. With APD, a treatment that is performed at home to replace the work of failed kidneys, Sanchez is able to maintain a level of activity similar to others his age. He babysits regularly for his grandchildren, plays music and directs a choir at his senior center and at nursing homes, enjoys dancing and other forms of moderate exercise, gardens, walks, and visits relatives and friends frequently. In short, he's living a full life.
Sanchez's positive, accepting attitude is a huge factor in his success story while on peritoneal dialysis, according to those who've worked with him.
Lydia Pazmino, BSc, MSc, who has worked with Sanchez since 1990, says, "He is a remarkable man. He took his disease and decided to make the best of it. Others whine, or don't want to learn the therapy or see the dialysis machine in their homes. They close their minds and say 'I cannot do it, I cannot be responsible for my own health.' Whatever we tell Manuel he accepts and asks questions; he always has this attitude of 'I need to do this.'"
Even the death of his wife to cancer a few years ago hasn't eroded his motivation. "It's actually made Manuel stronger, because he believes he has a condition that's treatable, and his wife wasn't so lucky [even though cancer is, in most cases, treatable], observes Mr. Frank Cumpian, another nurse who has treated him over the years.
"In reality, I'm a healthy person who just has bad kidneys," says Sanchez.
The success Sanchez has enjoyed is even more noteworthy when considering the odds. The average life expectancy for end stage renal disease (ESRD) patients on dialysis nationwide is about five years, says Sanchez's nephrologist, Dr. Patricio Pazmino, PhD, M.D, who runs a sizable PD practice in El Paso, one of the largest in the Southwest. More than 50% of his patients are currently on peritoneal dialysis, versus less than 10% nationwide.
Sanchez says he chose APD over the alternative, hemodialysis (primarily performed in a clinic setting), because he could do the treatments at home. "I'd rather have my own time and be able to go out when I want," he says.
"Just because I'm sick doesn't mean I have to stay home—no way! I go to the senior center every day and play pool, and sometimes I play on my guitar for my friends. When they see me, they say, 'you don't look like you're on disability,'" he adds.
Nurse Erica Sanchez-Cohen says: "He doesn't allow his kidney disease to affect his life. A lot of patients feel, 'that's it, I'm homebound now.' He's taken the opposite direction. If you come to terms with it and agree this is something you'll do for the rest of your life, it greatly facilitates your treatment."
In addition to fully embracing all aspects of his therapy, Sanchez is also meticulous, keeping his medical supplies in a separate area of his clean house, and very organized, showing up for his monthly checkups on time and in good humor. "I love seeing Frank [Cumpian]. He makes me laugh and is always singing."