u/treylathe

TL:DR: Nephrologist suggested I need to start researching dialysis. What should I expect with the ability (restrictions) to travel.

I'm just trying to plan my future. I'm 67M. I have very well controlled diabetes (15yrs) and hypertension (50yrs). I also have stage 4 CKD. I've worked hard on diet and exercise, maintaining a good weight (170lbs/6'1"), etc. On Ozempic (5 weeks) and Jardiance (8 months) for CKD/Diabetes

Two weeks ago I did my regular labs and though some numbers improved, my eGFR went from 23 to 18, my creatinine went up.

Had a phone appointment with my new nephrologist (only had a nurse before), and meet her in person in 2 weeks. In the appointment we discussed the possibility of dialysis. I'm doing my labs again in 2 weeks because she wants to rule out dehydration which is a possibility. But I'm on a trajectory in spite of medication and lifestyle changes (eGFR was 45 2 yrs ago).

ANYWAY... I travel regularly and backpacking is one of my life hobbies. I've backpacked (3-14 day trips) through Borneo, all of the US, Japan, Korea, Peru and most recently a 10day backpacking through the Alps. We have a 5 day backpacking trip planned in N. California this fall and a 10 day in Australia next year. I've lived in 4 countries, traveled to 43. Going to Germany this winter (Kristmarkt tour). It sounds like a humble brag (mayb it is :D), but it is part of who I am and has been since I was 18 and first traveled overseas.

I know that age someday will lessen the ability to do this, but I was hoping to push that off.

Because of this and after research, it seems peritoneal dialysis is the way for me. I'll confirm this with my nephrologist in 2 weeks.

I might be able to push it off for a while, but considering the trajectory of late, who knows how long.

What are your experiences with travel on dialysis? I am assuming that backpacking will be precluded the rest of my life, or at least high probability, but what are the logistics of travel?

What are your experiences? What accommodations do you have to make? What limitations have you found? Internationally? Domestically? durations? It feels like it would be a lot to travel with (cycler, fluids).

I've been wondering if RV travel and/or cruises might be an option going forward. I've done RV travel once for two weeks, and have only been on two cruises, but I've enjoyed both. Maybe shift to those.

I know even if I was healthy and had none of these issues, eventually this life would need to 'slow down'. Age is a thing. But I'd have loved to push it off to my 80s and 90s like my in-laws did.

(I did a search on the sub for this, not a lot of answers, though some were somewhat helpful)

We have, what I think, is an amazing place. A triplex on a 1/2 acre bordered on 3 sides by a tropical rain forest and a river. My husband and I live with my brother and oldest adult daughter in the 4 bdrm, our other daughter and SIL live in a lower unit with their 1yo. The 'loft' (we call it) is a large 1,000 sq ft studio with 360' wraparound windows and views of forest and a river. Large yard with fruit trees for picking, a hot tub and a sauna, swimming hole by the river. Anyway, it's great.

We have a 4.95 rating after several hundred reviews. The last three guests _raved_ about the place their entire stay and in their reviews.

Then there are the guests there for the last 2 nights, leaving this morning.

First night: We get a message in the app "The frogs are so loud!" They are. We discuss it in the listing and have an info sheet in the unit with a white noise machine and earplugs. No matter, some people don't read and English isn't their first language. My husband goes and orients them and shows them.

First morning: We get a message in the app "You didn't warn us about the birds! They woke us up at 5:30! We were hoping for peace and quiet". Not sure how to respond, we remind them of the earplugs. We also suggest they can close all the windows (though there are a lot) and use the air conditioner (though it's only 62 at night).

Later first morning: Another message: "My wife is afraid of the lizards. Why are they in the house" They are geckos, they are ubiquitous. We send them the part of the listing that discusses them, how they eat bugs, considered good luck and can't really get rid of them, and harmless.

That afternoon: Another message "There is someone talking outside!" Yes, our daughter and SIL were taking their daughter to town, they were getting in the car. It's pretty clear in our listing it's a triplex with families. They weren't being loud _at all_. Even our granddaughter was just quietly babbling. We just respond, "Yes, that is our daughter and SIL".

That evening: "There are pigs on the road! They are snorting. We can't get out". At this point I'm getting a little testy, but I just calmly respond "They are afraid of humans and cars, they will move when you drive up. They run from humans and dogs"

Later that evening: "Do you have a dog?" "yes" "I think I heard him barking. I don't like dogs" "that was the dog down the road" (our dog rarely barks, even when he does it's very brief)

This morning at 6am: "The air conditioner is not really drowning out the birds" I don't even respond.

Just now: They are packing up their car. Their only comment to my husband as he's helping them with their massive suitcases "It's so loud here".

Seriously, almost ALL the sounds are birds, frogs and other creatures in a TROPICAL RAINFOREST. Maybe the occasional person talking quietly or a dog barking down the road. I'm sitting my living room listening to the surrounding... birds, frogs, geckos and my daughter quietly singing.

It's almost surreal thinking about their complaints :D. Why did they book a place in a tropical rain forest? They are from a massive city....

The moral of this story is you can NOT please everyone. One person's paradise is another's nightmare apparently. We are bracing for a 3 rating... but whatever, like I said, you can't please everyone.

It's pretty clear we live in a tropical rain forest in our listing. In fact, it's highlighted because it's a selling point. But along with that comes animals, birds, humidity and rain (oh, they complained it was raining both days they were here).