Hi,
I had a big panic when I was told I was CKD 3a and will die. You are right to be concerned but not to be scared, life can go on still.
The important thing to focus on is that it is a disease not a death sentence and can be managed, somewhat. I have been on this journey for 13 years after my kidney function completely shut down for 18 hours.
I changed my diet, modified my exercise and monitor my urine colour. Keeping the colour clear to light straw means your kidneys are getting enough fluid to flush as they should. When I do my 3 monthly bloods I try to keep consistency in what I have eaten that day, how much exercise I have done and try to keep to the same time of day for blood drawing. This will give you some consistency across 12 months of results, not for each individual test. I threw caution to the wind and ignored my own advice for drawing blood, resulted in an urgent call from my Dr being concerned my GFR had suddenly dropped. I wasn't game enough to come clean with her, but I make sure I don't do that again. Now 13 years on and I'm at GFR 3B, just and still alive. I'm T2 and have Dysautonomia which doesn't help taking care of my kidneys. Other than the changes I have made life is pretty much the same as before. I think self management is the key, it can stabilize your kidney decline as it does decline some with age. I medicate with vitamin D3 as this suffers with kidney damage, but under Dr's orders as too much can be every bit as dangerous. Touchwood I have never had a nasty bug from my wife bringing all sorts of nasties from her work place, I put that down to my D3 usage boosting my immune system.
Cheers