You don’t hear much about kidney disease in the wake of cancer, heart disease and diabetes. But it doesn’t make the kidney disease any less real or traumatic for those living with it.
Kidney disease affects more than 26 million adults in America today and more people die of kidney disease than breast cancer each year, killing 47,000 Americans in 2013. When kidney disease progresses and becomes kidney failure, the only treatment options are dialysis or transplant. There are currently 101,000 people waiting for a kidney donor but only 17,000 will receive one this year and 12 people die every day, waiting for a transplant. (Stats via the National Kidney Foundation, link at bottom)
Kidney Disease is very close to my heart because it is in my family. Today’s Weekend Wisdom post (the first in my new series) comes from someone who is also very close to my heart: hubby.
With National Kidney Month drawing to a close, I wanted to put some thoughts down in writing as I have a very close connection to kidney disease. My Dad, Grandmother, and Uncle all have polycystic kidney disease. I have watched over the years as they have each fought the battle against this debilitating disease, seeing the ups and downs that such a life changing event can have.
I have seen my Dad fight the increasingly difficult symptoms and side effects of the disease, my Grandmother battle through the headache that can be dialysis and my Uncle’s triumph over the disease when he was fortunate to have a donor kidney. Most recently, I have watched my Dad battle the disease while overcoming other health issues; I have witnessed his bravery, and what I think is most important in the fight, his stubbornness. Fortunately (sometimes unfortunately) stubbornness runs in the family; I’ve watched my Mom work tirelessly around the clock to find a donor kidney.
Our family was blessed with great news earlier this year that we found a donor kidney, through the very kind heart of a family friend. We will be forever thankful for this person and our shared connection through this awful disease. I’ve seen my Dad’s spirit lift with the news, knowing that life can soon get back to a more normalized path.
The next couple of months will be difficult as the disease is forcing him to adapt his life around the disease; fewer work hours, less sleep. But, with a date set for the transplant, we are all excited to see him get back to life the way it was. Most importantly, I am excited for his Grandchildren who will get to spend more time with him during visits knowing he will have more energy to walk through the woods, climb trees, swim, and ride bikes.
You can learn more about kidney disease through the National Kidney Foundation and Polycystic Kidney Disease through the PKD Foundation.
