Caring For My Father With Chronic Kidney Disease

First off, my father is 90 years old and has plenty of health issues. I was thinking the other day about how you navigate love and challenges. Caring for a loved one with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a journey marked by love, dedication, and the occasional stormy weather. For me, that loved one is my father. His battle with this relentless illness has been both a test of strength and a testament. It is the enduring power of love for me.

There are days when the weight of responsibility feels heavy on my shoulders. I have endless days of treatments, endless medications, and countless appointments that seem overwhelming to me. It's in those moments that I'm reminded of the goodness of life and the depth of my commitment to my father's well-being. He raised me to be the woman I am today.

CKD is relentless

This disease is a relentless one. It demands your unwavering time constantly and my undivided attention. I must monitor his diet to manage his medications. Trust me, I don’t mind accompanying him to countless doctor’s appointments to provide emotional support through the highs and lows of his journey. Caring for my father requires a level of dedication that often stretches me to my limits.

When I got diagnosed with CKD, I was at a loss and didn’t know which way to turn. How would I handle all of his life challenges while trying to take care of myself? I have had chronic illness since I was 5 years old. I am now 66 but holding my head high. There are days I refuse to waver.  No way would I ever think about getting sick and leaving my dad behind without me.  I will do all that I can to stay healthy for him.

But among the challenges, there is love. I have a love that knows no bounds and exceeds the boundaries of illness. It's the love that drives me to wake up each morning with renewed determination, and to face each day with courage and grace. I want to cherish every moment I have with him, no matter how difficult it may become.

My father is so much more than his illness

My father may be battling several chronic kidney diseases, but he is so much more than his illness. He is a source of inspiration, a pillar of strength, and a beacon of hope. And though the road ahead may be uneasy with challenges, I am grateful for the opportunity to walk it by his side. Nothing gives me more grace than to hold his hand through the darkest of nights and to celebrate every victory, no matter how small.

Caring for my father with chronic kidney disease is not always easy, but it is a privilege I wouldn't trade for anything in the world. For in his eyes, I see the reflection of a love that knows no bounds, and in his smile, I find the strength to carry on, one day at a time.

We are all in this together.