After a few months of feeling unwell I was diagnosed with end stage renal failure on 4 July 2011. Even though kidney failure runs in my family and I was aware of the possibility that this would happen to me, at the age of 33 it came as a huge shock.
After being admitted to the Royal Berkshire Hospital, Reading I was diagnosed and operated upon within just 3 days. Given the choice of either Haemodialsis or Peritoneal Dialysis (PD) I opted for PD and had a catheter operation and a neck-line to allow for the urgent Haemodialysis which was required whilst the catheter healed.
I have to admit, two weeks on Haemo was enough to convince me that I had made the correct decision - driven primarily by my phobia of needles!
It has now been just over 9 months since the diagnosis and, as I am sure that most people with kidney failure would agree, its been eventful. I have decided to chronicle my experiences (covering peritonitis, high blood pressure, anaemia, etc), starting with a series of posts of the story so far, in the hope that it may help others going through the same thing or anyone who knows someone who is.
Additionally I have asked my wife, who has been with me on this adventure, to make the odd post with her thoughts and feelings from a partners perspective - she is a far more spiritual person than I and can offer her thoughts from this angle rather than my distinctly more factual approach.
If you do have any questions relating to kidney failure or would like me to discuss my experiences relating to any subject in more detail please do drop me a line or comment - I am no expert and have only been on dialysis for around 9 months to date, but happy to share what I can.
