With regard to meals, anything is possible, provided you respect your diet and ask for changes to the menu, if necessary and also give your reasons why. You need to take control of your physical activity and not try to overdo it. I like walking outdoors; I swim with my fistula protected by roll dressing, a transparent adhesive film.
When I’m not travelling, I spend my time doing social activities and things to stimulate my mind. In 2016, after 16 years in public investigations as a commissioner and federal investigator for the administrative court of Lille, I decided to stop. I am also involved in a service club where I look after ethical matters as the president of the social action committee. As a member of the board, I am committed to “L’Enfant Bleu,” a charity combatting child abuse. Last but not least, I am actively engaged as a member of the users’ committee for my clinic, NephroCare Maubeuge.
When asked to write about “dialysis not being a prison,” I agreed to be involved in this project because of my experience as a patient. I want to provide significant help and moral support and show patients suffering from this chronic illness that we can enjoy a high quality of life, despite dialysis. I am deeply grateful for the team at the dialysis centre. Doctors, healthcare professionals, nurses, auxiliary staff and secretaries all give me confidence and comfort, working to ensure that quality meets standards. I want to express my particular thanks to my wife, who also helps to ensure my well-being as part of our little family.
I have related my personal experience, which I see as nothing special. Let’s make sure to keep our bodies and minds as active as possible. Just get moving. It’s worth it!