Renice Poulson is a Purple House Dialysis patient from Lajamanu – a vibrant Warlpiri community located on the northern edge of the Tanami Desert, 875km south of Darwin.
Renice grew up in Lajamanu with her grandparents and went to school there. Before she was diagnosed with Kidney failure she was working as a youth worker and used to take kids swimming, on bush trips to cook kangaroo tail and trips to Kalkarindji.
When asked about life in Lajamanu Renice says there is a waterhole that they would always go to around Christmas time in the wet season for swimming when the creek is up. She remembers lots of bush trips with the old ladies and they would talk stories and make damper and cook kangaroo tails while they watch the kids.
Renice got really sick in 2019 over New Years. She remembers she had to go to the clinic in Lajamanu and her son came and slept with her while she waited to be flown to Darwin. He had been at a New Years disco and was all painted up. He was five at the time and had to stay in Lajamanu when she flew to Darwin. Her mum came with her on the plane. She remembers that she was getting lots of fluid in her legs, tummy and face. In Darwin she ended up in ICU and then was flown to Sydney in a coma.
When she woke up in Sydney and they removed the tube from her throat Renice said she couldn’t stop talking. She was told most people stay quiet after waking up because their throat is sore, but she was just “talking, talking, talking.”
And at first when I was eating, I was shaking – my body was feeling weak. But I did physio there, get up, sit down. Two nice, lovely ladies helped me.
I was in St. Vincent hospital right in the middle (of the city). It was very noisy. While I was in the Coma my friend Miranda came and took my Mum out for a trip to Bondi Beach and to the Sydney Swans and took lots of photos. When I woke up she brought me fish and chips!
While Renice was at the hospital in Sydney she sadly found out she had lost her Grandmother. She was very upset but the hospital helped organise to get her back to the NT as she had to get to Katherine to help organise the funeral. On the flight back she had to sit in a special wheelchair, but her mum got to look out the window. “I was so excited I couldn’t sleep. I was glad to get back.”
“I had to stay in Darwin for two years getting strong again. I had heart problems and had to get a heart monitor.
My mum told me, if you want to walk strongly, you leave that thing (the walker), you hold my shoulder. And build up. And she was my carer for all that time. So I worked to get really independent, so she didn’t need to care for me anymore.”
“My uncle was taking care of my son in Kalkarindji while I was away.”
“I always wanted to get home to my son, because I used to worry. And he used to cry at night, worrying. He used to make me cry. But I told him to be strong for me and I had to be strong for him. So I had to do everything by the book. Work hard.”
“Now I go to Purple House three times a week. When I first started I missed it three times and got really sick. But now at Kalkarindji I’m always on time because Sandra picks us up at the same time each morning. But sometimes if I don’t get up in time I have to make my own way to the clinic. But it’s good for me like I’ll take a morning walk.
And it’s a nice place being there (in Kalkarindji). It’s nice being home. Relaxed with my son. Seeing him grow up. Going to school. Last year spent Christmas and New Year’s with him. And he got a reward of a bike because of his 100% attendance at school.
Now I feel much stronger. And when I’m back home I do stuff like cleaning, washing or taking dogs out for a walk.
It’s nice (Purple House). She’s good nurse that one (Sandra). Been there for a while now. She knows me through and through.
Yeah so it’s me and her (Sandra my Grandmother) on dialysis. Together. Whenever I’m late she always grounded me. She was worried when I flew out last time.”
And is there anything you would say to someone who was about to go on dialysis? Any advice you would give to them?
I know at first it was a bit scared for me. I was thinking like what am I going to do with my life? What purpose do I have now if my kidney doesn’t work? But Nurse Sandra told me about the transplant list and she helped me to see if I could get on the list. So I have been doing all my tests so that I can get on the Transplant list.
Any Advice for someone who is diagnosed with Kidney Disease?
Best advice is don’t get scared you know. I’ve been there. I know it’s hard. But eventually you’ll get there.
When I am in Darwin I come into Purple House to hang out. Chill. Even before dialysis. And Purple House are always there whenever I need like when I’m in town. They’re always there to lend a hand.
Renice lends us a hand too! Sometimes when she is in the Purple House Panuku (Darwin) office, she helps answer the phones – the patients on the other side are surprised and excited to be greeted by Renice in Walpiri.
I would like to thank Nurse Sandra and Michelle and the Purple House ladies here. Helping me through. Karolynn too. She’s like a grandmother.
I’m hoping if I get a transplant come work with Purple House. It’s a long journey but yeah.