FEATURED PATIENT

I am a Kidney Dialysis patient. In 1998 I was a physically active father of two without any limitations. Also a recent graduate and Natural Resources Officer to add. After experiencing unexplained fatigue and swelling I saw my doctor. Blood tests revealed that my kidneys were failing and I was referred to Johns Hopkins Hospital. Because of the advanced stage of my renal failure, a biopsy would be needed. As a result I was diagnosed with FSGS - Focal Segmental Glumermel Sclerosis and would need a kidney transplant or start dialysis to continue to live.

Dialysis is extremely invasive to the human body, however, it prolongs life. My life was drastically devastated forever. I then began dialysis treatment three days a week for four hours with no end in sight. I felt worse than I had ever felt in my life. This fight was against a bully who is a known silent killer. This bully is called Chronic Kidney Disease ( CKD). I was unfamiliar with the precautions, prescriptions, and terms I was being told. I just wanted to feel better. My family needed me. I didn't want to die. I had my life to live. My routine was no longer routine for me. This Chronic Kidney Disease bully was barging in and he did not want me to tell a soul. It was a dark, gloomy, and lonely period in my life. I became a social hermit, secluding myself from friends, family, and anyone that was there before the Kidney Disease bully. The Kidney Disease bully took away any life I had or thought about having. I was being bullied physically, emotionally, and socially.

Thankfully, my wife never gave up on me and encouraged me not to hibernate from life. I gave In reluctantly all the while still with the CKD bully never far from my every thought. I went to Dialysis treatment becoming a self-described reserved introvert. I was blessed to have two Kidney transplants that lasted a total of 8 years. During that time I did not have to receive dialysis treatment. In March 2014 I began my third bout with Kidney failure and returned to Dialysis. This time despite being told I will need a live donor I refused to be bullied and decided to live.

My wife and I attend any and all informational seminars and classes. We now face the Kidney Disease bully together by spreading awareness, giving support, encouraging advocacy, and promoting prevention. You can also stand-up to the Kidney Disease bully by donating to the Urban Kidney Alliance at www.urbankidneyalliance.org, the National Kidney Foundation at Kidneymd.org, participating in the Kidney Walk at Camden yards or by calling Johns Hopkins 410-614-9345 to be tested as a potential live donor