Hook, Line, and Strength: Tim's Home Dialysis Journey
For more than 30 years, Tim Johnson has been setting fishing hooks with patience and skill. Now, the same steady hands that helped him catch bass on East Texas lakes are helping him take control of his care.
A new diagnosis, a clear decision
In August 2024, routine blood work led Tim Johnson to a diagnosis of stage 4 chronic kidney disease caused by complications from diabetes. By July 2025, dialysis became part of his daily life. With a demanding career and an unpredictable schedule, flexibility was essential. He wanted a treatment option that would fit his life and allow him to dialyze on his own, without a care partner. Home hemodialysis (HHD) was the answer.
Next step: the right training
Tim began his home hemodialysis training at the Fresenius Kidney Care center in Tyler, Texas. Monica Cajero, RN, guided Tim through each step, helping him build the skills and confidence he would need once he started dialysis on his own.
"It wasn't just, 'I want you to do this,'" Tim says. "It was, 'I want you to be great at doing this.'"
Over time, the training became a partnership. Tim and Monica talked about building a routine, managing stress, and adjusting to life with dialysis. Because Tim planned to dialyze without a care partner, that guidance meant even more.
The letter that said it all
After completing his training, Tim took the time to write a letter to the center's clinical manager. He called the experience one he would never forget — a "home run" from start to finish. The support he received during training gave him the confidence to manage his dialysis at home.
Back on the water
Today, Tim approaches home dialysis the same way he approaches a day on the lake — calm, prepared, and in control.
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