Holding on to Hope Through Kidney Disease
Living with kidney disease has meant learning resilience in ways I never imagined. It’s not only the physical challenges—the endless treatments, the fatigue—it’s also the things I’ve had to miss.
Holding On To Hope: My Journey With Kidney Disease
Living with kidney disease has been the hardest fight of my life. It isn’t just about the countless doctor visits, treatments, and the physical pain—it’s also about the pieces of life that slip away while you’re trying to survive.
Resilience, Hope, and the Gift of Life
For so long, I’ve had to be resilient. Living with kidney disease isn’t just about the physical challenges—it takes a toll on your mind, your spirit, and your heart. There are days when the fight feels endless, and the weight of what I’ve missed out on becomes heavy. I’ve missed time with family. I’ve had to step back from moments at work that gave me purpose. I’ve missed celebrations, simple outings, and just the ease of everyday life.
A Gift of Life, A Gift of Purpose
Every day, I am reminded of how fragile and precious life is while I wait for the gift that could change everything: a kidney from a living donor. One of the most powerful parts of living donation is how awareness creates action. When more people learn that they can be living donors, more lives are saved. It’s not just statistics—it’s real people like me, hoping for another chance at health, family moments, and everyday life without the constant shadow of illness.
Keeps Families Together – Less Stress and Hardship for Loved Ones
As someone waiting for a kidney transplant, I’ve seen firsthand how this journey doesn’t just affect me—it impacts my entire family. When illness takes hold, it brings stress, uncertainty, and hardship to the people we love most. That’s why living donation is such a powerful gift. It wouldn’t only change my life; it would help keep my family together, easing their worry and lifting a huge weight off their shoulders.
The Body Is Remarkable
One of the most amazing things I’ve learned about living kidney donation is that you can live a full, healthy life with just one kidney. The human body is truly remarkable—it adapts, compensates, and continues to function beautifully. For someone like me, waiting for a kidney transplant, this is life-changing knowledge. A living donor can give me the ultimate gift: the gift of life, the chance to regain energy, enjoy my family, and live without the constant fatigue that kidney disease brings.
Please Share to Help Me
Living with polycystic kidney disease has been a journey that has tested me in ways I could never have imagined. Kidney disease is not just a physical challenge—it affects every part of life. There have been days when I felt too tired or unwell to be the husband I want to be, to help Cheryl with chores, or to fully engage at work. I’ve missed family outings, vacations, and moments that most people take for granted. Yet despite all of this, I’ve learned to be resilient.
Please Share to Help
Living with kidney disease is more than a physical challenge—it takes a toll on every part of your life. Over the years, I’ve had to be incredibly resilient, navigating the fatigue, uncertainty, and countless changes that this disease brings. I’ve missed out on moments I once took for granted—being fully present at work, socializing with friends, and even having the energy to enjoy simple family moments. Some days, just getting through the week feels like an achievement.
I Still Have Hope
Living with kidney disease has tested me in ways I never imagined. It’s not just the physical challenges – the fatigue, the lab work, and the constant worry – it’s the emotional toll, too. There have been days when I’ve missed out on simple joys with my family, moments at work I wanted to give my full attention to, and even just the energy to be present in life. Kidney disease doesn’t just affect the body; it reaches into every corner of your life.
The Power of a Living Donor
Living with kidney disease has required me to be resilient in ways I never imagined. The physical challenges are just one part of the journey. Kidney failure affects your mind, your spirit, and the simple joys of daily life. There are moments I’ve missed—family gatherings, outings with loved ones, even being fully present at work—because my body could not keep up. Dialysis has been a lifeline, but it also serves as a constant reminder of the limitations this disease imposes.