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Stage 3/4 Kidney disease: I need support before my appointment
Kidney & Bladder | Last Active: Dec 31, 2019 | Replies (18)Comment receiving replies
I think one of my biggest questions surrounds what kind of quality of life I can look forward to. I have a sister who is willing to donate her kidney but she has a different blood type than me. I do know there are organizations where there are “kidney swaps”. I’ve done a great deal of reading but it almost regardless of it you do dialysis or transplant your quality of life is going to be quite poor.
Replies to "I think one of my biggest questions surrounds what kind of quality of life I can..."
@mignon Let me add my welcome to our group, also. I have lived with kidney disease for many years, and was diagnosed in 2015 with a very rare kidney disorder. Currently my GFR hovers between 32-37%, so it is classified as stage 3b. As @colleenyoung mentioned, making a list of questions up is important. Have there been any illnesses or maladies that could have contributed to a decline in your kidney function? If you have copies of your lab work for the past couple of years, that will be helpful to have with you. If you have a partner or someone to accompany you, a second set of eyes/ears can prove invaluable. Take the time to write down the answers you get from your questions, and make sure you understand the verbiage. Your quality of life is what you make it, in my opinion, at any time in your life. My husband continued all his regular activities over the 5.5 yrs of dialysis before transplant, including camping, traveling, motorcycle rides, etc.! There is a lot to do being proactive, like @kamama94 said. We are here to help you through this stressful time, and will endeavor to set your mind at ease. It is normal to be anxious; we've all been there! Ask away, we care.
Ginger
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@mignon, welcome!
I waver between Stage 4 and 3b and cannot qualify for a transplant even though I have only one kidney left with about 33% function and must follow a very strict (but delicious!) renal diet.
I have other medical conditions and am disabled and in a wheelchair. I no longer can crochet or play the piano or do oil paintings but I still can write novels and cookbooks and be of service to others in small ways (including a 12-step recovery program) and I gotta tell ya, my life is a hoot!
Days are filled with laughter and friends, four-legged as well as the two-legged kind, and nights are filled with pleasant dreams.
There are many things I no longer can do but plenty I can do and still enjoy.
None of us really knows how long we have on earth so we can cherish each day that comes to us even if it brings troubles as well as joys.
If I live long enough, I'll eventually need dialysis and I'm already planning what to do while I'm in the recliner getting my blood cleaned, besides take a nap, that is. I'm sure I'll find something to enjoy during what can be a time-consuming and uncomfortable process two or three times a week.
Meanwhile, I have beautiful friends here. This is a wonderful group, we listen to one another and support each other and exchange information and we're so glad you joined us.
People can live a very long time in stage four and still do many things they enjoy. so there is hope!
Once again, welcome and journey with us!