Living with CKD

By Akua33

1 min read

At the young age of 73, I'm currently living with stage 4 kidney disease. I'm not on dialysis and prayerfully I won't have to go on it. I have stopped eating meats and increased my movements. I only drink water and decaffeinated herbal tea. I eat numerous fruits and vegetables. Praise God, my last A1C was 5.9 and I'm currently still losing weight and monitoring all of my other chronic illnesses.

CKD and 9 other chronic conditions

Besides CKD, I have also been diagnosed with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, HIV, chronic bronchitis, essential tremors, and depression. I have been living with HIV for 32 years as of February 11, 2023. Years ago, when I was first diagnosed with HIV, one day during my prayer and meditation time God gave me John chapter 11 verse 4 which states, "This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God." To date, I have never had any problems with my HIV status.

How I manage chronic kidney disease

I'm currently living with stage 4 kidney disease. I truly thank and praise God for how He has kept me with the numerous illnesses I have. In spite of CKD, I still manage to be extremely active. I'm not on dialysis and prayerfully I won't have to go on it. I have stopped eating meats and increased my movements. I only drink water and decaffeinated herbal tea. I eat numerous fruits and vegetables. Praise God, my last A1C was 5.5 as of 3/29/23 and I'm currently still losing weight and monitoring all of my other chronic illnesses.

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Diane Talbert Moderator & Contributor
 @Akua33, This is such great news. Thanks for sharing this. My father just turned 90 and has been in stage 4 for 10 years. When I take him to see the doctor, she just said, keep on doing what you doing. He is not on dialysis. So happy to hear you are doing what you are supposed to do. Please let us know how things are going. Keep up the good work. Diane (Team Member)
1. Akua33 Member
 When I went to the kidney doctor last Friday (7/14) to get my weekly program shot I was told that my EGFR has gone up. Praise God. 
2. Diane Talbert Moderator & Contributor
 Hello <inline-mention username="Akua33" user-id="6761759"/> , This is such good news. Keep up the good work. Diane (Team Member)
Khiry Rowe-Hopkins Moderator & Contributor
Hi <inline-mention username="Akua33" user-id="6761759"/> you are incredibly strong and resilient so glad you are not on dialysis, and I’m really happy you are still managed to do things you like and stay active let us know how your getting on Khiry(Team Member) 
1. Akua33 Member
 Thank God, I'm able to go to the senior center everyday. As of my last doctor's visit my EGFR has increased.
Diane Talbert Moderator & Contributor
Hello <inline-mention username="Akua33" user-id="6761759"/> , I would love to hear more about your diet for CKD. Did you stop eating all meat? I hope you are doing well and hanging in there. Let us know how you are doing. Diane (Team Member)
1. Akua33 Member
 I have stopped eating all meats but if I want some chicken, turkey or oxtails I will have some very rarely. I mainly eat fruits and vegetables, cauliflower rice and mashed potatoes, make smoothies, juices and different types of water (ie water with lemon, ginger, &/or dill), plus different fruits. I have strong faith that God is helping me with all of these chronic conditions. Currently I don't take anything for my diabetes, I no longer have sleep apnea, and my blood pressure is now controlled.