my kidney failure experience

[Guest guest]

I have been diabetic for over 26 years.

 

Around five years ago I lost my sight after cataract surgery that didnt work.

 

After that I began feeling soooo tired and spiritless

but didnt understand why.

 

My doctor had said my kidneys were weak and she sent me to a specialist

(nephrologist)

 

 

For abour rge past who confirmed I had weak KIDNEY FUNCTION but never told me

how weak, and I didnt know enough to ask how much or liettle

function I had....

Wach time I would go ee the nephrologist, he would ask if I had any pain and I

would answer no.

 

At times I would feel teeny little

twinges at my left waist area but didnt relate it to my kidneys.

 

Wach tiem I went in they would do blood work, which I now know was my creatinine

levels....

 

Then about 2 1/2 years ago they said my potassouin level was high and to leave

off drinking ornage juice especially, as well as other high potassium foods like

bananas and avocadoes ...and I LOVE avocadoes  !

 

I had abandoned all sodas altogether except on very rate occaasions

 

Then this past february my sob brought home a stomach virus from work and it hit

me really hard !

 

It would not go away and I becam swelling up like a boiled sausage

 

I kept thinkinh it would go away but it didnt and onGood Friday my hubby dragged

me to the doctor and she ran test.

 

She (dr) called me on easter sunday morning and told me to get to the emergency

room.

 

we spend easter in ER

as they gave transfusions

and then admitted me.

 

I spent the next 2 1/2 weeks

in the hospital and my levels didnt inprove then they did a 24 hour urine test

and told me my kidneys had failed and I NEEDED DIALYSIS.

 

i BEGAN DIALYSIS IN MAY AND  NOW GO SPEND THREE DAYS A WEEK LIKE CLOCKWORK IN

THE CENTER.

 

mY COMPLAINTS:

 

they did not proepraly educate me ahead of time by telling

me what percentage of kidney function I had

 

I IMAGINE IT WAS TO not

stress me out but I believe forwarned

is forearmed

 

and, in the past when discussing weak

kidneys, dialysis was spoken of as if

it was a shameful and dirty thing,

BUT IT IS NOTTTTT   !!!!!

 

The good thing is....

 

 

I feel better than I had in over five or more years !

 

I dont like getting stuck but you get used to t and it is momentary and then

over with