My struggle with kidney failure

My name is Caroline Wangechi Ndigaru. I am 21. I suffer from kidney failure. Actually, my medical reports say I have end stage renal disease. That is, my kidneys stopped working properly, so I cannot live without dialysis – unless I have a kidney transplant.

You see, both my kidneys failed in 2013, and the only way to rid my body of waste and excess fluids is through dialysis.

It has been more than 18 months of pain, headaches, cheerlessness, tears and now, of renewed hope that I might get a new kidney soon.

I want to share with you what my week as a kidney failure patient is like.

Monday, October 20, 2014

My mother and I are up by 4am to prepare for the trip to the hospital. I dread Mondays and Thursdays. I dread the fact that on these days, I have to endure hours of pain, dizziness and nausea. However, I still look forward to them because without dialysis, the build-up of waste in my body would poison me.

By 6am, we are at Consolata Hospital in Mathari, Nyeri. First, we pay Sh8,000 for the session; my father’s National Health Insurance Fund tops up the Sh2,500 balance. Now familiar with the routine, I go to the bed next to the window. I have grown accustomed to it.

First, my blood pressure, temperature and pulse are checked. Thereafter, two thin needles are inserted into my arm and taped into place. One needle will draw blood from my body into the dialysis machine.

For four hours, I will lie on this hospital bed as doctors insert tubes into an opening on my upper right arm, near my shoulder, and let the blood flow from my body into a machine and then slowly be replaced into my body.

The dialysis machine is my “kidney”. It is made up of a series of membranes that filter the impurities from my blood. Afterwards, the purified blood is returned to my body through the second needle.

During this procedure, I like to read my Bible. I particularly like reading the book of Psalms because it encourages me that at some point, all this will be over.

The four hours crawl by, and by around 10 am, the process is almost done.

I cannot leave immediately because I am feeling dizzy and nauseous. I also have a headache. The nurses tell me it is because of the rapid changes in my blood levels during dialysis. So my mother waits by my side for an hour before we can go to the pharmacy for some drugs. The drugs cost about Sh2,000.

With day one over, mum takes me home to rest.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

The nausea and fatigue are gone now, but I still cannot do anything around the house. I do not have the strength to bend. I wake up, have my breakfast made up of a little black tea and bread. I have to watch what I eat because my body retains it all until the next dialysis session.

My problem began in March last year. It started with blurred vision, as if there was a film covering my eyes. I would feel nauseous in the morning and vomit, in addition to suffering frequent headaches and unexplained fatigue.

At the time, I was waiting for my Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education results. Until November 2012, I was a student at Karatina Girls High School, where I sat for my final secondary exams. There had been no signs that I had kidney problems. I would go to the toilet normally and felt just fine. In fact, mine is the first case of kidney failure in my family.

Then, in March last year, I was rushed to Consolata Hospital in Mathari, Nyeri, and later referred to Kenyatta National Hospital, where a biopsy showed that both my kidneys had failed. The biopsy involved taking a small sample of my kidney tissue, which was then examined under a microscope.

It was painful but necessary to establish what I was suffering from. It turned out that my kidneys had failed due to high blood pressure. I was shocked. My family could not understand what was happening. I hadn’t felt anything to show that my pressure was high.

Nevertheless, the doctor’s report said that I needed dialysis urgently.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Today, my mum, Lydia Nyambura, is following up with sponsors to raise the Sh2.5 million I need for a kidney transplant in India. The search for a donor has been tough and I have despaired many times. I have cried and prayed for this bad dream to leave me and my family, but each day is real and I cannot wish it away.

I have been on dialysis for 18 months now.

It has not been easy for my family either. We have sold stuff to raise money to enable me to go for dialysis. At some point, some of my friends and relatives said that even with dialysis, I would not get cured.

Some even suggested that I consider herbal treatment, but I don’t know what the herbs would do to my weakened body. It is a risk I cannot take. It was confusing because at the time, I did not have a donor, but what could we do?

Dialysis, however painful, remains my only hope until I get a transplant. Let me now mention that two days after my 21st birthday on May 3 this year, we learnt that an uncle of mine, who is 34, was a match and possible donor. I am ecstatic that I might not need dialysis in the future, but only if we raise the money to go to India for a transplant.

Thursday October 23, 2014

We are up by 4am and rush to the hospital before 6am, just like we did on Monday. I go through the routine and as the dialysis is underway, I think just how near, yet far, my kidney transplant is.

We have raised about Sh700,000, but we have spent the money on the dialysis, medication, and transport. I am afraid the money will run out before we raise the balance needed for the trip to India.

Still, knowing that I will be fine if we can raise the money for the transplant, makes the headaches and nausea bearable. I hope that one day they will be things of the past.

I had scary experiences last year when I was unable to get treatment. Before settling on Consolata Hospital in Nyeri, I used to go to Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, where the queues were long and I would not get treatment for a couple of days. I would see young children and elderly people as well as girls my age waiting on the queue.

Once, in desperation, I went to a private hospital in Kawangware for two sessions. If I hadn’t, my body would have been swollen up, or things would have been worse.

Friday, October 24, 2014

I am craving Fanta and chips, but the doctor warned me to stay away from such foods because potatoes, for instance, are high in potassium, while my body cannot break down the drink. Actually, any root tuber is prohibited alongside tomatoes and fried meat, among others. I stay away from soups, melons, and any succulent food.

Dialysis limits the amount of fluid I can drink, otherwise the excess fluid from my body might not be removed during treatment.

Saturday, October 25, 2014

My eyes, face and stomach start swelling due to water retention. This is expected of my condition. My legs are also swollen and painful, I cannot wait for Monday. I am grounded and will have to spend the day in bed. I cannot wash the utensils or help around the house.

When this is over, I want to be a nurse, I really do. I want to help others the way I am being helped. I hope well-wishers will help me go to India as soon as possible.

Sunday, October 26, 2014

I am so tired that getting up is an effort, so my brothers leave me at home when they go to church. But I have my Bible and I am praying that this will end soon. When I get better, I would like to take a cold Fanta, with chips and chicken. 

You can help me get a kidney transplant. You can get in touch with my mother, Lydia, on 0727-352134 or 0724-769830 or through the email address provided in this article.

Financial assistance can also be sent to Equity bank, Chaka branch, account number 0110190288179.

For now, let me rest. I have a tingling sensation all over my body and my head is spinning. Besides, I have an early day tomorrow.