12/10/2018
My name is Toni. I used to live a normal life, back in the days when my kidneys were still functioning very well. I would like to share my story with an aspiration of finding someone who would be willing to save my life. Keep reading.
I was only 21 years old when I started limping due to gouty arthritis. I thought it was just a usual pain that will go away after taking a pain killer substance. Yes, it went away for quite some time. My gouty arthritis reoccurred in 2010. I simply did not mind it at all. I was only 24 years old that time - too young and too naïve. In the same year, I was confined at a hospital due to UTI. I ignored it and thought that everyone gets sick anyway.
The episodes of my gouty arthritis became frequent. January 2012, I was rushed to the hospital because of UTI again. This time, the attending physician told me that I need to see a nephrologist. I nodded my head, but I did not comply. Fast forward, I moved to Cebu and had my own family. My life was pretty normal after giving birth to my daughter. I became a working mom. I was able to balance work and family life.
Two years later, I had episodes of gouty arthritis attack again. I visited a clinic to have my self checked and get a valid medical certificate. Surprisingly, another doctor told me to visit a nephrologist again. This time, I did. Yes, I visited a nephrology doctor. She explained the results on my lab and told me that my creatine level is increasing. I was nodding my head, but at the back of head, I was trying to convince myself. “Hey, this cannot be true. I am too young”. I was also asking the Lord, "Why me"? “How can it be possible?” “My lifestyle is healthy.” “I don't drink.” “I don't smoke.” “I exercise.” “I eat vegetables.” “I try to be as healthy as I can.” “So, what is this doctor talking about?" Interestingly, that doctor seemed to have heard my thoughts. She said, Toni, you have to do something about this. Otherwise, you will be on dialysis by the age of 30. I nodded my head again and left the clinic. I lingered on her suggestion for a few days. I didn't feel something was wrong with my body so I just shrugged it off. True enough, my gouty arthritis went away. "Forget it, Toni. You will be fine", I told myself.
I buried myself with work. After a year, my gouty arthritis reoccurred. It became alarming because the attack happened every month. Guess what, I went to the doctor again. That doctor did the same thing. He referred me to a nephrologist. I searched for another doctor. I was thinking that maybe I needed another doctor's opinion.
It was year 2015 when my body convinced me that I needed help. I started to feel so weak. My gouty attack also became weekly. I started to accept the truth that my kidneys are deteriorating. CKD is the medical term. It stands for Chronic Kidney Disease. July 2015, I was told that my kidneys are 16% functional. I was like "Seriously, how can that be possible?" The doctor told me that the high uric acid content in my blood has damaged my kidneys. It has caused gradual damaged to both, and I was a candidate for dialysis. I was silent for a few minutes. I knew the doctor was telling me something very important. But my thoughts were covered with so many “whys”. This is not happening." I told myself. Then, I asked the doctor again. “Doc, are you serious about dialysis? Is my case that serious?” He looked straight to my eyes, then firmly answered, “Yes, your life is at stake if you will not take heed.” I was teary-eyed as the truth was starting to sink in. I was quiet, very quiet on my way home. Why? I am still young. My daughter is too young. My family has no history of CKD disease. The truth was not easy to accept. But something deep within me was telling me I need to do something.
My husband has been very supportive in spite of me being soaked with my emotion. In the same year, we flew to Manila and visited the National Kidney and Transplant Institute in Quezon city. We consulted another doctor. We didn't tell her anything. She looked at my lab results, and she repeated what my previous nephro doctor mentioned. I was confronted with the truth that I need to prepare for dialysis.
We went back to Cebu. Thankfully, we found a nephrologist that I was comfortable talking to. We asked her a lot of questions about dialysis and the risks that comes with it. I opened up to her and told her that I was not comfortable with hemodialysis. I have read many horror stories from patients of hemo. I asked her if there was another way. My nephro introduced me to peritoneal dialysis. Peritoneal dialysis (per-ih-toe-NEE-ul die-AL-uh-sis) is a way to remove waste products from my blood when my kidneys can no longer do the job adequately. A cleansing fluid flows through a tube (catheter) into part of my abdomen and filters waste products from my blood. After a prescribed period of time, the fluid with filtered waste products flows out of my abdomen and is discarded. Sorry, I tried my best to explain it in the simplest way I can. But if you are interested to know more about it, there are several YouTube videos that can be searched online too.
Peritoneal dialysis differs from hemodialysis, a more commonly used blood-filtering procedure. With peritoneal dialysis, I can have my treatments at home, at work or while traveling.
It sounded like a plan. Yet, I was still too scared to start dialysis. 2016, we religiously followed the doctors advised. I had my monthly check up. Going to the pharmacy became my weekly routine too. I always made sure that I had all the medicines needed. I was okay.
January 2017. I was rushed to the hospital due to shortness of breath and weakness. That was the first time that I was rushed to the emergency room through an ambulance. The experience was horrifying. I couldn't stand up. I couldn’t even sit down. I thought it was my last day to see my family. I closed my eyes, and searched for answers. But I was too tired and too weak to talk. The only words I was able to say in prayer were "Your will be done, Lord."
In the same month, I started peritoneal dialysis. We didn't realize the cost until I started on CAPD (Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis). We had to spend 10,000 per week to buy my dialysis bags. That summed up to 40,000 per month. We sought for help from family and co-workers. Many people offered help. A lot of loved ones and colleagues showed some loved. We were able to sustain our needs until April. It was draining us emotionally, physically, spiritually and financially. We had to look for other options as we can no longer sustain 40 thousand pesos allocation monthly for my dialysis alone.
My nephrologist advised me to transfer to NKTI Quezon City to avail the Z package benefits under Philhealth. It was not an easy decision to make because it meant relocating my family from Cebu to Manila. We took a leap of faith. We sold our things and flew to Manila.
We are grateful that the Z package has assisted us on my monthly CAPD claim until today. I was trying to convince my self that that I will be in dialysis forever. However, a possibility has crossed my mind recently, "kidney transplant" I was a pessimist before. Unexplained anxiety would sometimes creep in. Several what ifs like, "What if the kidney will get rejected? What if we can't sustain financially? What if I can't recover?” My coward spirit was hushed by Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans that I have for you", says the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you", "plans to give you hope and a future".
My faith is so little. So little that my fears have devoured it. But no matter how little it may seem, I would like to take another leap of faith - I need a kidney transplant. My doctor said that a higher chance of match will be up to third degree relative. I will not ask. But I will pray for those people who will be willing to save my life. I understand that the thought of having a surgery and living with one kidney alone may scare you. But the National Kidney Foundation can attest that a person with one kidney can still live a normal, healthy life. Education is the key.
My potential kidney donor needs to have a B+ or O blood type and has no serious medical condition. If you are willing my friend, please feel free to leave a message.
We are also going to start a project for a cause soon to raise funds for the procedures. Please include this campaign in your prayers.
I am deeply moved by the possibility of living a longer life not just for myself but for other people. I am a warrior. But I know that there are other warriors too. I want to be a living testimony to them someday. I have lived 32 years long and I am still looking forward to serving the Lord's purpose in my life.
I want to live a normal life again. Dialysis has stopped me from doing the things that I love the most. It's just as if I am living with limitations. I want to live a life of possibilities. Peritoneal Dialysis has to be done three times per day, every 8 hours. Every time I do that, I am reminded that my life is so short and I have to make the most out of it.
If you have read this far, I would like to thank you for sparing your time to get to know me. This is just a glimpse of my story.
Take care of your body, friends. It's the greatest gift that you can give to your family. There are millions of people who are on the waiting list for transplant. Don't let it become too late for you to realize how important life is.
This campaign has been started with a goal to search for a kidney donor. The compatible blood types
