Barbara G
I am one of 10,000 Ontarians in pre-dialysis medical care. I want to be one of 9,000 living well with a kidney transplant. I live in Northern Ontario. I am an artist, a sister, an aunt, a cousin, a friend – suffering End Stage Renal Disease.
In 1987 my world changed with a diagnosis of CRD. I was devastated. I told my parents, but none of us really knew what it meant. Being fiercely independent I decided to take charge. My primary care doctor was dismissive so I turned to research for answers. Information availability is not what it is today and what I read left me feeling alone, terrified, convinced I was going to die. I changed my doctors and with new support I entered a research drug trial in Toronto. The nephrologist in charge of my care told me I would be on dialysis within three years. He was wrong.
Here I am 36 years later and, just now, on the precipice of dialysis. The only thing to prevent dialysis of any kind is a pre-emptive transplant from a living donor. My current living donor was unable to continue, and now I am seeking another The paired exchange program may be what saves my life. I am working hard to stay as healthy as I can. I have a fantastic team of medical and allied health professionals guiding me. I have supportive family/friends. I still have a lot to offer. I am not ready to give up. I still have ideas and dreams and ambitions.
If you are considering being a living donor – do it! I choose life and invite you to do so as well.
Sault Ste Marie, ON
Age: 66
Currently in active transplant status looking for a donor.
Reason for kidney failure: Focal glomerulosclerosis and subsequent development of hypertension and Type II Diabetes
Current kidney function: Stage 5, eGFR 15%, pre-dialysis