Maple & Main

I though readers would be interested in seeing the final design of the new Midwest Dialysis Center building.

This building will be constructed at the corner of Madison and St. Paul- across from the Full Moon Bar and kitty-corner to Waukesha State Bank.

The Waukesha Plan Commission wanted a structure more like this…



But, in the end, the Commission settled for the design you see here.



In all honesty, this final design is a far cry from the original proposal of block walls and a flat roof.

It’s not the Taj MaHal, but it includes materials such as a chiseled limestone base and a decade brick face, which enhances the design of the center greatly.

The gentlemen who operate the facility were extremely patient with the demands of the Commission- they sat down with concerned board members to discuss different design ideas and redesigned the center twice to meet the board’s requests.

In the end, the City of Waukesha will receive a well designed, state-of-the-art kidney dialysis center, near the hospital, which is why the owners chose the location.

Some folks have commented on the fact that they wanted to see the property developed into retail storefronts. Retail is great for a downtown, but it is the property owner's decision to sell the land to whomever he or she wishes.

I think the center will be a great addition (and a good neighbor) in the Downtown area.


Who Uses a Dialysis Center?

Since the time I posted my last blog regarding this center, there seemed to be some confusion among a few readers of exactly what this center does.

Dialysis is a treatment that does some of the things normally done by healthy kidneys. It is needed when your own kidneys can no longer take care of your body's needs.

Dialysis is a mechanical way of filtering waste from your blood. It can replace the function of your kidney, albeit imperfectly, while your kidneys are healing. Dialysis treatment for acute kidney failure is usually done at a hospital or dialysis center, not at home.

The most common form of dialysis used for acute kidney failure is known as hemodialysis. It removes extra fluids, chemicals and wastes from your bloodstream by filtering your blood through an artificial kidney (dialyzer). Blood is pumped out of your body to the artificial kidney through a vascular access that's created surgically, usually in your arm or leg. Your blood moves across membranes inside the artificial kidney that filter out waste. Less than 1 cup of blood is outside your body in the dialyzer and tubing at any one time.

Kidney failure is most often caused by the following issues:

1. Diabetes
2. High Blood Pressure
3. Glomerulonephritis
4. Genetic Disorders (A family history of kidney issues)
5. Urinary Tract Obstructions or Infections
6. Autoimmune Disease
7. Drugs, Toxic Chemicals, and/or Alcohol

Regarding Number Seven

In my last blog, it was a comment I made about alcoholics needing dialysis that seemed to strike a cord with some readers. Diabetes, hands down, is the leading cause of kidney failure.

However, in talking with the owners of the center personally, I was surprised by how many patients are treated for issues resulting from drug and alcohol abuse.

The sad reality is that the number is on the increase. Thus the need for such a center will always be there.

Every drug you put into your body passes through your kidneys. If the drug is not taken following a doctor's orders, or if it is an illegal substance, it can cause injury to the kidneys. When they are healthy, your kidneys can rid your body of its waste materials. But if your kidneys do not work properly, you must be treated either by dialysis or with a kidney transplant or you could die.

What drugs are harmful to your kidneys?

Pain Medications
Your kidneys could be damaged if you take large amounts of over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Thousands of Americans have destroyed their kidneys by using excessive amounts of these medications.

Alcohol
Heavy drinking can hurt both your kidneys and your liver. Alcoholics have a high risk of developing both kidney and liver failure.

Antibiotics
Antibiotics can also be dangerous if they are not taken correctly. People with kidney disease need to take a smaller