ORGAN DONATION SAVES LIVES!

 When the doctor told me I was in 4th stage CKD (chronic kidney disease) I didn't believe him, it had been 11 years since I was told that i was in stage 2. From 2010 until 2017, I fluctuated back and forth between stages 2 and 3.  Suddenly, in July 2018, I was in stage 3. and had to undergo a series of blood tests to determine my level of kidney function or lack thereof.  The one thing the doctor was very concerned about was the creatinine level. The normal range is .06 - 1.2 milligrams. My levels?  8.6. Very very high. This is want to send me to the hospital on the eve of Xmas, 2018. 

 I was on my way to work at a church to complete the Christmas Eve and Christmas Day bulletins when I received a call from my nephrologist's office to “go directly to the closest emergency room.”  Do not pass go.  Do not collect 100 dollars.  Do not go to work. I spent Christmas 2018 in Chestnut hill hospital. 

At first, they were going to start emergency dialysis because my creatinine was 8.9, but th next day it had gone down to 6.2.  My nephrologist wanted me to wait and come to his hospital so that he could oversee the procedure.

Finally, I accepted the truth:  I was in renal failure.  I still wasn't in full acceptance and I didn't really understand what I was in for.  Even tho it was explained to me, I didn't fully understand, even after I was in the process.

During the 5 years of dialysis at Davida and Fersinius, I observed the lack of patient advocacy—especially the older patients from nursing homes.  

The facilities are always freezing.  Blankets, socks, hats, and fingerless gloves would make patients for the 4-hour treatment.   And they like snacks. 

All proceeds from out Kidney Awareness products go to benefit Dialysis patients.