"So many people close to me first got diabetes, and then kidney disease."
"Take it seriously. My kidneys failed and there's nothing worse."
"I first experienced symptoms of diabetes in 1989. I was tired, lost 17kg in 3 weeks and was feeling itchy. A friend suggested I go to the doctors, which is when it was discovered I had high sugar levels.
24 years after my diabetes diagnosis I began to show signs of kidney disease, so I got a Kidney Health Check and was told my eGFR was 37%. This basically means I only had 37% function in my kidneys.
This eventually led to beginning dialysis at home before I was able to get a transplant in 2018. Everyone thinks a new kidney is a magic bullet, but it’s not. My new kidney failed and now I do 3 haemodialysis sessions a week for 5hrs each time.
My one message to anyone with diabetes is to watch your sugar levels and take it seriously. Kidney disease is something you can slow the progression of if you catch it early enough."
"At the age of five, I was diagnosed with on-set Type 1 Diabetes. I managed – played sports, moved to Batemans Bay, became a butcher, married, and had a child. But in 1996, my health took a turn for the worse. Kidney disease and eye troubles started catching up with me.
After living well with Diabetes in my younger years, in early 2000, I was diagnosed with end stage renal failure and was rushed to Canberra Hospital for emergency dialysis. My eyesight had also failed to the point of being legally blind.
Type 1 Diabetes was savage on me, I was on regular dialysis from 2000 and my left leg was amputated below the knee in 2002. In 2007, I was told there was a kidney and pancreas heading to Westmead Hospital for me. I was in theatre for about 10 hours! The ravages of Type 1 had one more blow to dish out to me. In 2008, my right leg was amputated below the knee.
Watching my family watch me was the hardest part.
Dialysis is not a cure for renal disease; it is a treatment. Some people survive on dialysis for many years. Some people are fortunate to receive a kidney transplant. Some people choose not to have dialysis… But what always stood out for me was how lucky I am to have had the love of, and support from my wife, family and friends – I really appreciate it!"
Ina left all her inner community, all her family, cousins, aunties, and uncles for dialysis treatments. “I was homesick.”
The doctor explained that dialysis is like a washing machine. Dialysis washes your rubbish, when you eat lots of food and drink too many cups of tea, dialysis is cleaning the rubbish away—like a washing machine. It does the same function as healthy kidneys would have done.
“[First Nations Australians] should go to the clinic. Go to check your kidneys. Maybe it’s too late for some of them. If you don’t go you’ll be very sick—so you should go and show up to the nurses. It’s very important for us.
The artwork featured below was painted by Ina during a yarning when they were talking about kidney disease. Ina pictured in forefront.
Here’s something to help you start the conversation with your GP.
This handy letter for your GP from Kidney Health Australia’s clinical director, Professor Karen Dwyer will help explain to your GP why you would like your kidneys checked, what tests need to be done and how they can access additional support if required.
A Kidney Health Check is very quick and simple.
1. A blood test to check how well your kidneys are working – your GP will order this test to check your eGFR which tells you how much kidney function you have left
2. A urine ACR test – this test will check for albuminuria, a type of protein in your urine. Damaged kidneys often leak protein into the urine
3. A blood pressure check – high blood pressure and kidney disease often occur together, so increasing blood pressure is often an early sign of kidney disease.
A kidney health check can be done as part of your regular GP visit. The tests ordered are covered by Medicare, however your doctor may charge you a gap for the doctor visit.
Don’t have a GP appointment coming soon? Make sure you book one in to get your kidneys checked. It's fast and easy.
This campaign has been developed and delivered by Kidney Health Australia in collaboration with Diabetes Australia.
Sponsored by AstraZeneca.
