Bonnie Field, a patient in the Regional Renal Program at LHSC
March 20, 2025
The Regional Renal Program at London Health Sciences Centre (LHSC) has a unique relationship with their patients. Due to the chronic nature of kidney disease, patients see and speak with staff on a regular basis. Renal patients through LHSC are seen at University and Victoria hospitals, at the Kidney Care Centre (KCC) in Westmount Shopping Centre, as well as other satellite clinics in the region.
“A day at work for the staff is a life event for a patient – staff become a part of the patient’s life story. From the time of my diagnosis, renal staff have played an important role in my life,” Bonnie Field, a patient in the Regional Renal Program at LHSC shares. “They’ve helped support me through all the stages of my journey from diagnosis to home dialysis.”
Bonnie Field’s diagnosis and journey
In 2004, after getting blood work as part of a check-up, Field’s family doctor called noting concern around elevations in her blood test results that pointed to kidney issues, and they referred Field to a nephrologist at LHSC.
For a few years, her doctor tried different approaches and medications, but her condition progressed, and she needed to begin dialysis or have a kidney transplant.
“They said my youngest daughter was the perfect donor and a perfect match. So, in July 2010, we underwent surgery,” Field shares. “It was to be a fairly routine procedure, but that first night there were complications.”
Field had to be taken back into surgery and placed on blood thinners because there was a clot in the kidney. Then, because of the bleeding in the kidney, she ended up needing to have the new kidney removed.
“I had three surgeries in about four days – it was quite difficult for me and my family,” Field shares.
From then, Field started attending in-centre dialysis treatments three nights a week before being offered home dialysis. “I found home dialysis freeing. My husband helps me get the machine set up and it’s a unique opportunity for us to work together. He has been an incredible help and support through all of this.”
She does dialysis overnight, so it doesn’t greatly impact her day-to-day life. “Being able to do it over 8 hours makes me feel better overall,” Field says. “I feel fortunate that home dialysis was an option for me because it is so freeing, and I can still call the home hemodialysis team at the Kidney Care Centre, if there’s ever an issue, which makes me feel very supported.”
Field was on home hemodialysis until 2012 when there was another opportunity for a second transplant, this time from a deceased donor.
“At the time, I worked as a clerk in the transplant clinic at University Hospital and I saw many successful transplants. I don’t think I would have attempted my second transplant in 2012 without working in the clinic and seeing other successes,” explains Field.
The surgery was successful, but her body ended up rejecting the kidney and, in 2016, she once again began home dialysis.
Home dialysis experience
“If I had to go back to in-centre dialysis appointments, my life would revolve around dialysis. Being on home dialysis, my dialysis revolves around my life,” Field explains. “I recognize not every person’s story is the same, and in that, I – and my family – appreciate life each day as a gift and try not to take it for granted.”
And from the beginning, she has felt very centred in her care and completely supported by the staff at the Kidney Care Centre.
“Patients and their care partner get training to ensure everyone feels confident and knows what they’re doing when moving to home dialysis. When my husband and I would go to training sessions, I remember my dialysis nurse would ask about my children, my grandkids and what we were doing for the weekend. She was building a relationship with us, and it made us feel comfortable to be able to ask questions which we would otherwise have been hesitant to ask,” explains Field.
Field notes that she and her husband did six weeks of training and that the staff make sure you feel confident before you are ready to do dialysis at home.
“Even once you feel confident that you can do dialysis yourself, a nurse supports you when you do it the first time at home,” Field says. “The machines are user-friendly and if anything were to go wrong, even in the night, we have 24/7 support from the Kidney Care Centre. I am encouraged to call at any time with a question or concern.”
Whenever Field has a medical concern and is not sure if it’s kidney-related, the Renal team is usually her first call.
Field explains, “Either it is related to my kidneys, and the staff help me with the issue, or they inform me I should contact my family doctor so my doctor can address my concern. I feel very supported.”
Field does her dialysis at home every other night. “We have been able to travel and I try not to limit my life because of dialysis. So, if I’m going to be away for a night, I just do two nights in a row. It’s more flexible than dialyzing in-centre,” says Field.
Advocating for the needs of renal patients
“I wanted to be involved and provide my voice as a patient to continue to improve renal care and education,” explains Field. “When I was first diagnosed, I recognized how helpful it was for me to have others share their experiences and I wanted to be that person for others in return.”
Field was involved with the Renal Patient and Family Advisory Council (PFAC) at LHSC for six years and chair of the council for three of those years. Field advocated for patient needs in the southwest region and was involved in a number of research opportunities. When she finished her term, she was given the opportunity to sit on the Ontario Renal Network PFAC as well and has been involved for the last five years and co-chair for two of those years.
The work on the Ontario Renal Network PFAC is at a different, higher level. “I’m providing input on policies and materials across the province instead of just within my local hospital and southwest region. I’ve enjoyed being a part of each PFAC and lending my voice to important work being done at the regional and provincial levels that impact renal patients. I feel heard and valued as a PFAC member at each level and it has been rewarding to be given these opportunities,” says Field.
Looking forward
Faith has been a big part of Field and her husband’s journey and will continue to be.
“I believe that God has a plan and a purpose for me and that He makes no mistakes,” explains Field. “I know that my experiences have made me who I am and my faith has helped me to process all that I have experienced. I hope to continue to do what I can to enjoy my days with my family, live life to the fullest and advocate for other people experiencing renal disease to hopefully make their journey a little easier as well.”