Emotional story of kidney failure

Kidney failure is one of those diseases that leaves the sufferer with a range of emotions and those who get first hand stories about it, in disbelief. That is what happened to your blogger yesterday when he came across a person who was diagnosed by his doctor with a kidney problem. She was for many years unaware that her hypertension could lead to kidney failure. “I have high blood pressure, which I inherited from my mother,” said the 27-year-old, who first found out about his condition seven months ago. Although she controlled her diet and other activities, her hypertension was not properly treated for reasons she could barely understand as her hospital was one of the best in the country.It eventually led to chronic kidney failure, which had to be treated through dialysis.When the reality hit her, the young girl narrated how she went through a period of mourning for the loss of her kidney function. Many of her friends talked to her about grieving for their previous health, abilities and life but nothing came close to her chronic kidney disease.It was heartbreaking to hear her share how she experienced frustration, despair, fear, a sense of lack of control and depression, especially after she was told by the doctor she is going to need dialysis. As her kidney disease progresses, the treatment has halted her from doing the things she used to do in her daily life and has totally shut out of those fun things she used to do. The doctor friend who asked me to accompany him to meet the lady and her parents, said most kidney failure cases resulted from improperly treated diabetes and hypertension. Moreover, kidney failure is also caused by kidney stones especially when there is no prompt action to detect the stones. However, that wasn’t the case with the lady and for her she has been using proper medication.With regular therapy, diabetes and hypertension can be treated, that was the message the doctor shared with the lady. Sadly for her, hypertension has already affected the kidneys, the condition of failure is now a lifelong disorder and the doctor told your blogger as we were heading back that kidney failure is irreversible and that once affected, there’s no way of recovery.

That sentence was one of the heartrending I’ve heard recently, knowing that such a young life will live with that challenge for rest of her existence.The doctor explained to your blogger that kidneys fail to work when both are functioning at 15 percent, making the body lose the ability to process toxins and waste products. Eventually, the body is filled with excess toxins, a condition called uremia that swells the hands and feet as well as causing fatigue. Doctor added that the lady’s kidney failure means the only way to maintain quality of life is to undergo life-long dialysis treatment or a kidney transplant.The doctor has suggested a kidney transplant to the lady and family is working finding a donor. At the moment, home dialysis is the alternative she has to keep herself alive.According to the doctor, home dialysis includes both peritoneal dialysis and home haemodialysis.She had to choose to dialyse during the day or night but settled on the former. Doctor also explained various lifestyle and health benefits associated with peritoneal dialysis and home haemodialysis. It’s been very important for her and the family to learn as much as they have about the different options.Doctor elaborated that there are two types of peritoneal dialysis, one that is continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis which is day-time and automated peritoneal dialysis, the overnight machine. Both use the same catheter commonly referred to as tube, which is placed in the stomach. Doctor also said peritoneal dialysis offers more flexibility and does not have as many diet and fluid restrictions and has taught them how to manage the dialysis. On average it takes the lady about a week.Home haemodialysis I was told it uses a machine that delivers blood to a dialyser, which cleans the blood and returns it. It’s the same treatment as haemodialysis that’s done at a dialysis centres in hospitals. However, home haemodialysis has fewer diet and fluid restrictions and the patient decide the treatment schedules with healthcare team. Sessions the Doctor noted that range from two to eight hours and longer sessions usually overnight with an average of three to seven sessions a week. The story of that lady made me realize that life with Kidney disease is one that requires determination, love, loyalty and appreciation. Its a case that depict the hardship that patients go through and how they overcame struggles to maintain a normal life. Through that lady’s story, I hope by sharing it will provide an inspiration that can give strength and encouragement to others to continue fighting and to never give up hope. This story first appeared here