The Day I Found Out I Had Chronic Kidney Disease

The day I found out I had chronic kidney disease (CKD), was a day that will forever be carved into my memory. If I could go back in time and talk to myself on that day, there are a few things I would like to say. The first thing I would tell myself is not to panic yet.

Take a deep breath

I remember that day so well. I was feeling overwhelmed and scared when I first received the diagnosis. It felt like my world had come crashing down on me. But looking back now, I realize that panicking only made things worse. It's important to take a deep breath. Then step back and remember that with proper care, treatment, and management, CKD can be controlled.

Although the thought of having an incurable disease is really hard to take in, panicking is not a solution at all. Well, it wasn’t for me. Secondly, I would remind myself that I am not alone. There are many people in this world who live every day with this illness.

Looking for support

Initially, I felt very isolated and like no one else could understand what I was going through. But the truth is, there are plenty of people out there who are going through the same thing as I am.

My wife encouraged me to join a support group and also get in touch with people like me at Chronic-Kidney-Disease.net. She convinced me that finding others who have CKD can be a great source of comfort and understanding. She was right. I am a very strong man. So I want to say that looking for support does not mean you are weak.

Becoming actively involved in my treatment

I knew I had to be proactive in my treatment. It can be very tempting to just leave everything to the doctors and hope for the best. But being actively involved in my treatment plan has been beneficial. I ask questions, do my own research, and make informed decisions. I found this has made a big difference in my quality of life.

I’m used to doing things on my own. It was a habit for me to look for answers on my own. The one thing I have come to realize is that taking treatment and doing your research side by side is important. You just need to find a balancing point between both of them.

CKD doesn't define me

I also want to say that chronic kidney disease does not define me at all. It can be easy to get caught up in the diagnosis and feel like it's all-consuming. But it's important to remember that I am more than just my illness. There is still so much to live for and so much that I can do, even with CKD.

Don’t get me wrong. It gets overwhelming at times, feeling like life has turned into a clock with every click I have to get something done. But don’t let these feelings engulf you. Reach out for support. Overall, if I could go back to the day I found out I had this illness, I would tell myself to take a deep breath. Reach out for support, be proactive in my treatment plan, and always remember that CKD does not define me.

A kind word goes a long way!!