This past week Mike and I went to see my kidney doctor, as we do about every 4 months. The purpose of the visit is to monitor my kidneys and how they are doing. It’s always like sitting on pins and needles until he reads the numbers from the blood test, which tell you everything. Fortunately, this past week the numbers were good.
I’ve been off dialysis now for almost three years. My kidneys started functioning to the point where I did not need dialysis any more.
This is not common and I am very fortunate. However, living with constant uncertainty is not easy. Many people have illnesses that have no treatment options. I know firsthand how difficult it is to wake up every day and not know my medical future. Being afraid of this is a normal response.
How I have learned to cope with fear is by talking about it with Mike or someone I know well. There is something very healthy and therapeutic about vocalizing my struggles. This has helped me also to accept the facts that I can’t change.