Table 3 Representative responses to the first open-ended questiona
From: Life and expectations post-kidney transplant: a qualitative analysis of patient responses
Patient Responses by Theme | |
|---|---|
Improved quality of life and return to normalcy | |
“Better by far then dialysis, I can have a daily schedule.” | |
“More freedom/time (no dialysis), able to work and return to routine daily life.” | |
“I can work now without missing much of it because of dialysis” | |
“Back to work not as tired.” | |
“I am able to do more things with my family” | |
“I feel better. No more dialysis. Looking forward to doing things I couldn’t do.” | |
“It has been much better. I am happy I got it.” | |
“I now have a life. I can participate in activities that I couldn’t before. Even with many med I feel great.” | |
“I am able to feel human and alive again” | |
“Happy to not be hooked up to dialysis anymore almost to a point I forget I ever was.” | |
“No more dialysis!! Wonderful!!” | |
“Alive, alert, rested, peaceful, engaged in my tasks, much more positive outlook, paying more attention to overall health. I CAN SEE RETIREMENT!!” | |
“Not doing dialysis 10 h per day, taking more meds, more free time.” | |
Better health and more energy | |
“I have been extremely healthy physically for 12 years now. So having health restored is an incredible experience. I appreciate life more.” | |
“I feel awesome!!” | |
“Overall better health + optimism” | |
“I feel better all over. A feeling of well-being.” | |
“More energy, clearer thinking, not sick daily, brighter outlook on life, happier” | |
“I feel well the majority of the time” | |
“More energy. Feel active. A normal active life.” | |
“More energy + my outlook is more positive.” | |
Gratitude and corresponding sense of purpose or freedom | |
“I live life, enjoy even the small things, feel blessed.” | |
“Every single day is a gift” | |
“more freedom (dialysis)” | |
“Freedom to travel. Being in control of my destiny.” | |
“More freedom but also more health problem (diabetes) type 2” | |
“Feel better and free.” | |
“Being able to travel without the formality of finding a clinic to dialyze in while out of state” | |
“more time (no dialysis), no sense of doom.” | |
“It has been the most wonderful gift I have ever gotten. It has given me back my freedom to travel.” | |
“more purposeful, more appreciation.” | |
“It has become full of more purpose. I feel I have been given a 2nd chance.” | |
“More energy + my outlook is more positive.” | |
“due to meds I am hospitalized 3–5 times a year. Moody. Able to travel some. Thankful for each day, life is short.” | |
Burdens of post-transplant regimens | |
“Lots of meds” | |
“Just taking more pills” | |
“Quality of life is little changed, but it’s a hassle to take meds every 12 h.” | |
“Not eating what I want continuously taking meds; feeling tired; afraid of losing my kidney.” | |
“The only change has been the medication regimen. Over the term to date of my transplant I have taken more than 85,000 pills” | |
Worsened and less energy | |
“No pep, tired” | |
“Have slowed down, not as much energy. Sometimes just don’t care” | |
“More stressful” | |
“Radical Changes, Unable to work due to secondary problems from ESRD & Diabetes” | |
“Yes, other conditions worse.” | |
No Change | |
“No” | |
“It has not changed” | |
“Not much” | |
“Very little” |