Chronic Renal Insufficiency - My Grandfather's Struggle

 I can’t seem to get the name of that disease out of my head. Chronic Renal Insufficiency.  At first glance, “Chronic Renal Insufficiency” doesn’t look all that harmful. But let me tell you about a horrible morning my grandfather had after being diagnosed with Chronic Renal Insufficiency. He told me this story:   

“One day I woke up, drug myself out of bed and my headache was pounding as I thought about the diagnosis, Chronic Renal Insufficiency. I keep seeing the same overcomplicated name that really meant impending kidney failure.  I sat hunched to try to breath thanks to a cold that wouldn’t go away.  Chronic Renal Insufficiency.  I rubbed my eyes to get rid of those words. I pushed myself out of bed, hacking and wheezing as I stumbled to the bathroom.  Chronic Renal Insufficiency.  I felt a small sob coming on as I thought about my future. After a moment I noticed the inside of the toilet bowl began to turn a shade of red--I finally said it out loud, “Chronic Renal Insufficiency”.  Since it was getting close to New Years, I had already thought of how to tell my family about my condition and the procedures I would need to have done.”

So he told our family about the progression of his Chronic Renal Insufficiency and the possible side effects that may come with each stage of possible kidney failure.

I remember being so upset when he told me that he could possibly die from kidney failure since he was already so far along.  “Chronic Renal Insufficiency,” I thought “ What the crap is that? I don’t even know what a Renal is!?”

 It didn’t make any sense to me. Why would they slap a safer, misleading name like “Chronic Renal Insufficiency” on something as serious as kidney failure? My brave grandfather smiled at me when I was so confused and distraught. He reassured us that he would go through the proper steps to ensure that he had the best chances to take care of his Chronic Renal Insufficiency. I realized that he truly was optimistic about his difficult situation and that made me feel strong as well. I love my grandfather with all my heart and he later told me of some of the finer details of his disease, and some of the steps he can take to treat it..

Since chronic means something that hangs around, he told me that it wasn’t just going to go away like other illnesses. Some treatment options for his Chronic Renal Insufficiency include changing his diet, taking medications and supplements such as vitamin D, and managing his blood pressure through stress releasing techniques.  He told me about the worst case scenario and how we were going to work together to avoid it.

He is doing well so far and is currently showing signs of improvement. Even though he was diagnosed when he was already entering stage 3 (Moderate Chronic Renal Insufficiency) his positive attitude and the support of his family have helped him make it through so far! We love him with all our hearts and won’t let his Chronic Renal Insufficiency stop him from enjoying life. We have learned first-hand how a positive attitude can go a long way.

My grandfather has been holding steady with his kidney function and feeling good. This is all due to the  www.healkidneydisease.com website where I found a program for him. The diet and supplements have helped to stabilize him  and he feels better.

This article was written by Mathew Brear who resides in Ridgewood, New Jersey.