You didn't choose kidney failure, but you can choose how to deal with it.
An increasing number of people are deciding to regain control of their lives by choosing the treatment path that best supports their physical, emotional and lifestyle needs. For them, it's another chance at life. It's another chance to begin again.
WHEN THE KIDNEYS DON'T WORK
Being diagnosed with kidney failure is difficult, but you can take steps to make your path ahead smoother. Start by educating yourself and having an informed discussion with your doctor. With the right approach and armed with sufficient information, you can be more prepared to take the first steps of your treatment journey.
CHOOSING YOUR TREATMENT PATH
PERITONEAL DIALYSIS (PD)
PD is a treatment that uses the lining of your abdomen - called the peritoneal membrane - to remove waste products from your blood. PD allows a flexible treatment schedule, as it can be done at home or work and either during the day or during sleep.
HAEMODIALYSIS (HD)
Haemodialysis uses a machine, and synthetic membrane called a dialyser to filter your blood. HD is usually done in a dialysis clinic or hospital under the supervision of a clinician. In-centre HD usually involves visiting the hospital or clinic three times a week for treatments that last three to five hours.
TRANSPLANT
A kidney transplant is a surgical operation where a healthy kidney from a donor is placed in your body. This new kidney will filter your blood and remove excess fluids the way your two kidneys would if they were healthy. However, given that the average waiting time for a kidney is between three and five years, you may still need to be on dialysis before the transplant.
CONSERVATIVE CARE
If you decide that neither dialysis nor a kidney transplant is right for you, you may consider conservative care. Conservative care focuses on controlling your symptoms and maintaining your quality of life.
HOW OTHER KIDNEY FAILURE PATIENTS BEGIN AGAIN
John was devastated when he was first diagnosed with CKD. He couldn't believe that his body was failing him, and he felt hopeless about his future. But after some time, John decided he wouldn't let this diagnosis defeat him.