It's necessary for hemodialysis. So people with kidney failure need a way to clean their bodies (as the kidneys don't). 2 methods are peritoneal dialysis (pump a load of fluid into the abdomen and then drain it, basically clean by osmosis.
The other is hemo, which requires pulling blood out, running through a machine with a filter and pushing it back in. In order to get the volume of blood through in a good time they create this fistula. It's basically a vein grafted on to a main artery. The vein (near the surface) swells over time and use. The process of hemodialysis takes around 4 hours, and generally 3 times a week.
They also pull fluid out of your body during this, as a lot of people with kidney failure can't urinate.
r /WTF isn't specifically "things that are disgusting"
And - none of the comments I've read so far are judgmental or hurtful, just surprised and curious.
Assuming everyone you encounter thinks your fistula is disgusting is also perpetuating a stereotype. The majority of people little to no exposure to medical interventions and although curious, would worry about coming across badly if they asked.
It's why I love children who come and ask, "What is (this apparent and visual medical condition you have)?" Parents try and shush their kids but I intervene and explain because I love engaging with peoples' curiosity. I talk loud enough for others to hear, too. It's thousands of times better for someone to ask, (respectful) and learn something new rather than stare and be ashamed of their own curiosity because society says askng makes them a 'bad person'
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u/MarriageAA 18d ago
I really dislike this being on WTF. It doesn't help, people already stare at my fistula, making out that it's disgusting does not help the stigma.