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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
@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!
Replies to "@mignon, welcome! I waver between Stage 4 and 3b and cannot qualify for a transplant even..."
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Thank you, Kamamama, for your incredibly moving and supportive post! Would that all patients first diag. with a chronic disease had the benefit of your reassurance and hope .
Mignon, With my recent CKD 3 diag., my 1st thought was: Oh, No! This is a death sentence! Finding this support group very quickly calmed my initial fears and has continued to arm me with suggestions and resources that I can trust and follow.
One tip for that visit in addition to other excellent ones provided by others is that I've found that making a copy of my questions & labs for both the doc and me to follow helps tremendously. Nephrologist asked me to hand her my just requested copy of 1st lab results and although she covered the report thoroughly, it would have been most helpful for me to also have a copy to mark and highlight.