Dear Catherine,
As a nurse, and a former dialysis patient of 16 years (15 years on home hemodialysis) and seven years with a transplant, I want to encourage you and your husband that things can get better! Dialysis is doable and he can still have a happy, productive life. The 3 day a week in house dialysis is a little rougher on the body, because of the greater fluid shifts. Adhering to fluid restrictions is vital to him being able to breathe better. Diet seems hard at first, but it is a learning curve.
More dialysis is better! I was able to do home hemodialysis with a machine from the NXStage company (wonderful company, wonderful machine!). Because I did dialysis at home(with husband) 6 days/wk for 3/hours/day, I felt SSOOOO much better without those fluid shifts. I could eat and drink more! Life was good!
He may need an antidepressant, but mostly he needs to move forward himself to find a means of dialzing that is right for him and take charge of his situation. I am not trying to be unkind, I am just suggesting that what seems a mountain before him can be conquered one step at a time.
Please check out Lifeoptions.org and Homedialysis.org. They both have a weatth of information including a "kidney school" where you both can understand this new world better, at your own pace. God bless you both, Debbie (Tygs)