Half a century of haemodialysis: two patient journeys

The history of renal replacement therapy (RRT) for end stage kidney disease (ESKD) started in 1960 and reached, in these six decades, goals initially unforeseen. This report describes two patients who commenced dialysis at ages 17 and 27, for 53 and 45 years respectively, whereby the modality of RRT was mostly in the form of home-haemodialysis. The history of these two patients, who started RRT in distant parts of the world, Australia and Croatia, highlights not only the advances made over time, to significantly delay the onset and reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with ESKD, but underlines also the importance of empowerment and commitment, added values in home haemodialysis.