Three Years In: A Raw Update from the Dialysis Chair
I’m coming up on three years since my kidneys failed and my life shifted to the rhythm of dialysis . For most of that time I’ve tried—really tried—to stay positive, to do everything asked of me, to keep myself transplant -ready. I’ve smiled through the needles, followed every rule, and held onto the hope that a kidney would come soon. Last year, during my annual transplant evaluation , I was told I needed to lose a significant amount of weight to remain eligible. I took it seriously. I increased my exercise as much as this tired body allows. I slashed calories. I tracked everything. And still… nothing. The scale refuses to move. I don’t know what else to do. There was another hurdle too: my bladder has shrunk and become rigid over these years of kidney failure . Without a urostomy , a new kidney wouldn’t have anywhere to drain. I met with the surgeon, everything seemed set—we were looking at surgery either late this year or early next—and then… silence. I’ve called and left messages. N...