DALLAS — Treacherous roads caused a potentially deadly choice for thousands of North Texans who needed life-sustaining medical treatment.
Dialysis patients are particularly vulnerable because they need treatment every other day. Most of them must drive to a center to get that treatment. Any delay can be potentially life threatening.
That is the reason Pamela Echols has never failed to make it to dialysis in four years.
"Rain, shine, sleet or snow, I'll be right here in this chair," said Pamela Echols, dialysis patient. "I'll be right here."
An estimated 32,000 Texans with kidney failure need their blood cleansed three times a week. There are no breaks for bad weather.
Missing a treatment could potentially cause a buildup of dangerous toxins.
"If the potassium level rises, then it'll cause your heart to stop," said Camilla May of Davita Dialysis.
She said several patients had to cancel.
"My husband was stressing about it, but I said the good Lord will get us here if he wants us to," said dialysis patient Kathleen Newman.
Newman had to risk life and limb because missing dialysis could end her life.
Several dialysis centers reported that some patients have just caught up with treatment after last week’s treacherous weather.
Dialysis centers hope the roads are clear Thursday, so patients who missed Wednesday's treatment can be rescheduled.
Email: jstjames@wfaa.com
