30 Years Since CKD Diagnosis
It is 30 years this year since I was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease, also known as CKD. This year is also 30 years since the start of the NHS Organ Donor Register, created in 1994. I have had kidney problems since around 10 years old. Then in the summer of 1994, I hurt my knee in a swimming pool hitting the bottom and went to see a local Doctor.
Happy Birthday
Sometimes I wonder if the Ibuprofen I was advised to take, was the beginning of the end for my kidneys. 4 months later in December, I had already been struggling at work with headaches and blurred vision. Eventually I was diagnosed with CKD on the 14th of December. My first Dialysis then started 5 days later my 27th Birthday.
The Call
It was nearly a year later when I received the call for a transplant. Packing my bag and going into hospital on the 4th, for the transplant the next day. It was a very difficult time in my life and had fallen out with my parents, who simply did not understand how ill I was. At 26 they just remember a big strapping lad who did not look ill. But of course, CKD is an invisible disease, for which there is no cure, only treatment. The treatments are Dialysis or a Kidney Transplant and why Organ Donation week is so important. I have written about ‘The Call’ in a song.
Kidney Transplant
On the morning of December 5th, 1995, I had my kidney transplant, which is now coming up to 29 years old. For me, organ donation truly is the gift of life. So please this organ donation week, please make sure your families are aware of your wishes. Then hopefully those that need a kidney transplant can receive one. Thank you for taking the time to read this. The song below The Gift of Life, is a song I wanted to write about my donor.