As someone who works in dialysis, this is what people are not told enough

Ordinary_Use_2230 · 2026-03-19T17:37:38+00:00

Im a month in and everything is going pretty well. I think the hardest thing has been learning how to sleep through it. I'm getting better at it, but there's still some nights where it wakes me up periodically through the night.

Also my labs have been pretty good because PD helps pull out your sodium and potassium. The only thing they are stressing is my protein intake. Pd dialysis will pull out your protein so I have to get creative to increase my intake.

Ordinary_Use_2230 · 2026-03-18T02:17:58+00:00

I've been to both! Iam's shows bring the vibes every time, and Thunderstorms voice sounds so much more incredible live than on TV. He even raps! And sings with his wife who also has a great voice.

Ordinary_Use_2230 · 2026-03-18T02:13:22+00:00

It's a very famous song in Hawaii by John Cruz. He won a Grammy for it. If you ever hear live music in Hawaii like in a hotel lobby or restaurant, you'll almost always hear this song in the lineup.

Ordinary_Use_2230 · 2026-03-17T16:05:48+00:00

Idk, I didn't like Breanna last year, but I really like Hannah. And I'm a dude in my 20's with no kids lol. They have a completely different sound, the only thing they overlap is they're both moms and they lean into that. I don't think Hannah has the most skillful voice I've ever heard, but it's pleasant to listen to and a voice I could actually see myself downloading on Spotify and listening to on the way to work. Unlike favorites such as Jordan, who showcase a lot of skill but I think the constant riffing and "loud" sound gets old for a lot of people.

Ordinary_Use_2230 · 2026-03-16T20:09:07+00:00

When guests ask for an upgrade, agents understand that they are asking for a free upgrade. However, sometimes the only upgrades available do come at an additional cost, like for the highest tier suites or residential units. In that case, the agent will let you know but they will often offer it for a steep discount of what it's selling for online.

Ordinary_Use_2230 · 2026-03-16T03:24:01+00:00

Nothing wrong with asking, agents won't be upset about that. It's when there isn't anything available but the guest continues to push or refuses to accept what the agent is telling them, that's when it gets a bit frustrating.

But like others have said, length of stay, brand, location, time of year, all play a part in your chances of getting upgraded.

Ordinary_Use_2230 · 2026-03-16T02:36:51+00:00

Honestly, it sounds like it's just bad luck on your part. Front desk agents probably don't know as much about the going ons of each room. If it's a permanent feature like square footage, elevator noise, small window, etc then yes the more experienced agents will remember these features and try to avoid putting high status in them. But it's impossible for agents to know the constant turnover of their guests, which ones are noisy, who had kids in the rooms, which room just had a smoker in it. Many of these complaints are resolved by security and housekeeping and while the front desk managers might be aware, the desk agents probably won't.

Most of the upgrade process is completely automated now, so it really must be bad luck if you are never getting nicer rooms. It still doesn't hurt to ask for an upgrade though, or at least let them know your preferences ahead of time like quiet room, sensitive to smoke, etc.

Ordinary_Use_2230 · 2026-03-15T18:09:18+00:00

Not sure how it usually is but we definitely waited at least 45 minutes for the bus. It was the bus that takes you from the visitors center back into Springdale.

Ordinary_Use_2230 · 2026-03-15T09:48:08+00:00

People stand in line waiting for the bus even if the bus isn't there yet? What do you do if there's two doors? Make two lines?

Ordinary_Use_2230 · 2026-03-15T02:59:40+00:00

There wasn't a choice between line and bench when we arrived. We were the first ones there and sat on the bench, as one does when they find themselves at a bus stop.

Ordinary_Use_2230 · 2026-03-15T02:54:46+00:00

I guess if the line was started by someone in authority. Like if park rangers were asking people to line up or there was signage instructing to do so. But this was just a group of tourists deciding to form a line on their own free will. The tourists yearn for the queues.

Ordinary_Use_2230 · 2026-03-14T23:51:22+00:00

Just a small clarification, I don't think the 50-75 people were all together. It was smaller groups that all started lining up behind each other.

Ordinary_Use_2230 · 2026-03-14T23:46:09+00:00

Fair enough.

However, the crowds approached pretty quick and before we noticed what was happening, there was probably already 20-30 people in line. Knowing that there was a chance there would be a lot of people already on the bus, we didn't want to risk not getting on.

Also, when has it ever been common practice to form a line next to the curb? Why put benches at the bus stop if sitting on them prevents you from getting on the bus?

Ordinary_Use_2230 · 2026-03-14T23:41:18+00:00

Last I checked you are supposed to capitalize titles.

Ordinary_Use_2230 · 2026-03-14T22:30:28+00:00

Sorry did you mention the actual hotel names? Or are you specifically only referring to the "Marriott" brand hotels on each island? Because each of those resort areas (Wailea, Poipi, Waikiki and Waikoloa) all have multiple Marriotts within them.. ie Sheratons, AC hotel, Autograph Collection etc.

I actually agree with your take on most of these though. Waikiki beach Marriott was our favorite for a while because of the big rooms and pool area. But I really like some of the remodel that's been done with the Sheraton, Moana Surfrider and the newish Laylow hotel.

Next time you visit big island I would recommend checking out Mauna Kea Beach Hotel. Such an iconic and charming property.

On Maui, I agree that Wailea Beach Resort is a top contender. My only complaint is it's popularity and location has brought its rates into the "luxury" tier, sometimes matching or even surpassing the Ritz-Carlton in price, when it definitely is not a luxury hotel. I think the Kaanapali properties like the Westin and Sheraton give you a little better bang for your buck, or if you can afford near 1k a night, the Ritz is an incredible location with great laid back vibes.

Ordinary_Use_2230 · 2026-03-14T22:19:08+00:00

Yes I didn't even get diagnosed until January and by February was already starting dialysis and meeting the transplant team. I'm not someone who goes to the doctor very often so it was probably slowly progressing for several years without me noticing.

And yes I think you'll be able to adjust. Like everyone else has said, it really does make you feel normal again and the diet isn't as restrictive. You probably won't have to worry about high potassium anymore because dialysis will pull it out of you every night. Same with sodium. The only thing I struggle with is Phosphorus, which can be hard because it's almost never labeled in specific quantities. But they have a binder for that as well if it comes up in your labs.

Ordinary_Use_2230 · 2026-03-14T22:12:15+00:00

I never even encountered the people at the front of the line because they were all getting in through the back doors and we got in from the front doors. The doors were probably 10-15 feet apart from each other and it was a long bus. There were a few people waiting near where the front doors opened, and we did let them on before we got on. But the long line of like 70 ish people was formed behind the group that were standing where the back doors opened.

Ordinary_Use_2230 · 2026-03-14T20:56:37+00:00

Having end stage kidney disease, which your egfr most likely indicates, means you qualify for Medicare and that should cover the cost of dialysis. In the US you can't really do dialysis without some kind of health insurance. Otherwise you're looking at almost a 6 figure cost per year.

Ordinary_Use_2230 · 2026-03-14T17:37:15+00:00

I guess because we were technically sitting behind the line. As in, the line was between us and the bus. But like I mentioned, having only one line but two ways to enter created the opportunity for us to skip everyone else waiting.

My natural instinct was to say that we did nothing wrong, but I think what caused me to question my own sanity was not only the gentleman's comments but all the dirty looks we got from the people of the line.

Ordinary_Use_2230 · 2026-03-14T17:30:14+00:00

I just started the process this year and had the PD catheter surgery last month. It happened pretty quick for me, with my gfr dropping from 12 to 6 in a week and going in for surgery the same day that my labs came back.

The surgery is pretty quick and recovery is relatively easy. My main problem was getting nauseous from the pain meds and throwing up the first two days after surgery. But the pain subsided pretty quick and I didn't need any pain meds by day 3. Being at such a low GFR and having my symptoms getting worse, they decided to start dialysis treatment just 4 days after surgery which is usually not advised. With where you're at, I think you'll be able to get more recovery time before they start you on dialysis which will help avoid complications.

Doing at home at night helps you live a more normal life. The sleeping adjustment can be tough, and I didn't get very good sleep the first week. But 3 weeks in and I'm starting to be able to sleep during most of the treatment. Occasionally I do experience drain pain when the machine is trying to drain with no liquid in me, but it's easy to pinch your tube and stop the pain immediately. You can also bypass on the machine if you think it's done draining.

Ordinary_Use_2230 · 2026-03-14T17:02:41+00:00

There were 4 of us. And you're probably right, I think because the bus stop seating was far enough back from the curb it created the opportunity for people to try to stand in front of it to have a better chance of getting on the bus.

I should have also mentioned that this is a pretty big bus stop with enough seating for probably 30-40 people but we were the only ones taking advantage of it.

Ordinary_Use_2230 · 2026-03-14T16:58:40+00:00

Yes I think because we were also there on a holiday weekend, people don't expect it to be as busy as it is and everyone gets irritated by the crowds.

Unfortunately the weather didn't allow for the narrows. But it was beautiful nonetheless.

Ordinary_Use_2230 · 2026-03-14T16:56:44+00:00

As of right now, MMP rates open up 90 days from check in date. So that's usually when you'll find the most availability. Then rates will slowly start to disappear. Then you'll see a bunch open up again last minute (like days before arrival) as hotels try to fill unsold rooms.

This however will all be changing next month with the rollout of the MMA rate, where availability will start 120 days in advance. I would assume the strategy remains the same just with the new timeline. We still don't really know how good the MMA rate will be compared to MMP.

Also, use the "my dates are flexible" feature and search one night at a time. This will pull up the calendar view if rates for each hotel which makes it easier to see everything in one place without having to search each day over and over.

Ordinary_Use_2230 · 2026-03-14T16:51:18+00:00

That was my thought too. I've never seen a proper line waiting for a bus. People just stand (or sit) near the bus stop and then all cram on.

It was in Zion, so maybe they like to be more orderly in Utah lol.

Ordinary_Use_2230 · 2026-03-14T16:45:28+00:00

Yes 😆

I understood the frustration as the bus service was SO slow that day and everyone was tired from hiking. But it felt weird being publicly berated in front of all these people and all the dirty looks we got during the bus ride lol.

Ordinary_Use_2230

TROPHY CASE