Objetivo:

Objective: To describe the experience of people with chronic kidney disease in peritoneal dialysis therapy attending a renal unit in Huila-Colombia.

Materials and methods:

Descriptive phenomenological qualitative research. In-depth interviews were conducted with 16 participants who met the inclusion criteria. The analysis was made based on the Collaizzi approach.

Results:

361 significant descriptions, 94 units of meaning, and 6 common themes: facing reality, losses, corporality, limitations, support and gains, describe the experience.

Conclusions:

Having a terminal chronic kidney disease represents the patient’s struggle against changes in physical appearance, self-recognition and the limitations of the country’s health service. However, the transformation is also reflected after accepting the condition, involving dialysis therapy to the patient’s life, allowing them to rediscover themselves.