JEFFREY YANKYERA KIDNEY MEDICAL HEALTH

My journey with Chronic Kidney Disease began 3 years ago with my first ever admission diagnosed as an acute kidney infection (pyelonephritis), and thereafter I experienced countless infections…I knew something wasn’t quite right. I had scans and all sorts of tests only to find that my left kidney was barely functioning. This kidney was removed in January 2016, my right kidney in July 2017 and I started on Haemodialysis. Those 9 months were long, and it took a lot of endurance to get through them.

During my time on dialysis, I was supported by a few nurses with care and compassion. However, at times, some nurses would attach me to the machine and not be as vigilant as I anticipated. On one occasion, I was suffering low blood pressure and was trying to call out to a nurse but all were busy chatting away. I waved at the nursing station for attention. Luckily I was eventually noticed by one nurse who came to help me.

It’s been tough to understand the conceptualised role of nurses within the dialysis unit, and their duty of care in times of need. Smiling and giving hope to fellow patients has always been something that I love doing. Through my own pain and suffering, I never once expressed how sad and hopeless I felt at times. I started coming in with things to do and using the time to knit, watch movies and read lots of books.

In March 2019, I was fortunate to have a call for a transplant. It has been a traumatic journey, throughout various operations. The ongoing immunosuppressants and bouts of infections are now subsequently a part of my life although this has not stopped me from fighting this disease. In effect, it has made me stronger, fighting through it and surviving chronic kidney disease now i really need donors to support me undergo successful operation Thank you.