Some months ago, back in my pre-kidney transplant days, I wrote a blog listing the main reasons I found dialysis difficult, the things that were motivating me to push so hard for a transplant. I thought it might be interesting to revisit the list and see what’s changed since my surgery.
So, here goes:
1 Time:
When I was on dialysis, I lost time on the days I had treatments, usually stopping work around midday and returning home in time for supper. That added up to a whole lot of unproductive time each week. While recovering from the transplant I found myself planning how to fill those reclaimed hours. I couldn’t wait to start catching up on work I’d long been planning to do. Then reality hit and it turned out to be a little different from what I’d imagined. Three months since the surgery, my capacity to work is limited. I can work for about five hours each day. Then my body and mind dig in their metaphorical heels and refuse to do more. Not just on three days, but all of them. I know this will pass. I’ll grow stronger and regain more time. But I‘m simply not there yet.
2 Travel:
I knew travel was possible while on dialysis, but the logistics seemed almost unfathomable. Arranging and experiencing dialysis away from my home centre was frankly too uncomfortable to contemplate. So I avoided it. Post- transplant, that’s all changed. I’m already planning my first overseas trip, and I can’t wait to head out into the wonderful wide world again!
3 Fluid:
I became truly creative about finding ways to make my fluid allowance of 1 Litre a day stretch. I savoured every sip of water, the half cups of tea, and the (very) rare small servings of soup I allowed myself. Not to mention the even more rare sherry glasses of wine. What may surprise people is to learn about the less obvious fluid sources that also had to be considered, the fluid in fruit, vegetables, and other food. Because those also added to my daily total. Thankfully, my fluid restriction is now a thing of the past. I now bask in the ability to consume fluid without having to count the drops that pass my lips. And it’s wonderful!
4 Diet:
Much of the time I wasn’t overly bothered by the renal diet that was recommended to me while on dialysis. Certainly, there were days when I dreamed of indulging in some of my favourite foods that were on the restricted list – potato, tomato, butternut and, most often, avocado. But I learned how to create tasty, nutricious meals from the ingredients I was allowed. Eating away from home became something of a challenge. On those days I tended to shrug and reassure myself that I could be more strict the following day. However, having the renal diet removed following the transplant has given me a new appreciation of the flavour of the foods that were previously limited. This isn’t to say that I can eat whatever I like now. There are foods that I need to avoid, and my low sodium diet is still in place. But, a part from Camembert cheese and certain of the herbal teas I used to enjoy, none of the disallowed foods are ones that I’ll miss. Apart from grapefruit, perhaps.
5 Discomfort:
I’m not going to lie, dialysis caused me discomfort. I was fortunate that the impact on my body was less than many other patients experienced. But it still wasn’t fun. The leg cramps, the light-headedness, the tiredness were symptoms that most of us seemed to share. As was the general discomfort of remaining still for hours on end during treatment. Not to mention the pain of being needled each time. So no, dialysis wasn’t fun. Naturally, there was some pain and discomfort following the transplant surgery, but now that is all history. So, a definite win there. Unconditionally.
All in all, I think it should be obvious that the decision to go for the kidney transplant was the right one for me. I know there are people who aren’t able to choose that option, either because they aren’t considered eligible for medical reasons, or because they can’t find a donor. I know of many people whose names are on the kidney donor waiting list, which can take years. And I also know of people who have chosen not to pursue a transplant as an option. I am, and will remain, immensely grateful that I so easily found a donor and was able to receive the gift of a second chance of a more typical life. Because it has been completely life-changing for me.
