Coping with End Stage Renal Failure

Coping with end stage renal failure

There is an old saying that the fear of something is often worse than the reality and this is frequently the case with renal failure.
All of us have our life planned out in our minds. There are the immediate things which we know we will be doing in the next few hours, days and weeks. There are the things we plan to do over the next few months - the family wedding, the annual will do once we have the time!
When something as life threatening such as renal failure comes along to rock our boat, it is natural that we feel anxious, afraid and worried over what the future holds for us. All of a sudden, there is a big question mark over the life we had planned and an uncertainty over what will replace it.
There is much research to show that no matter what we lose, be it our keys, someone close to us, part of our body or body function, we, as humans, respond in the same way.
Initially, when the loss is discovered, there is a sense of numbness which may last for a few seconds, hours or even days and then we often go through a period of denial - you; know the feeling, "maybe if I really stick to the diet my kidneys: will get better".
Eventually the reality sinks in, however - this is for real - this is happening to me. Some of us continue the denial, go about life as if nothing has changed, some of us panic, seek reassurances that all will be well and many of us just take each day as it comes and decide to worry about it when "tomorrow" comes.
All this is fine and part of the adjustment process, but eventually we have to move on because all too often "tomorrow" does come, and we are faced with the reality that change is inevitable and life will never be quite the same again.
Some of us become sad, some angry, and a few of us become very controlled and decide to keep our feelings to ourselves. Once again, this is fine - it's all part of the adjustment process, but remember, it's not only you, the patient, who feels the effects of approaching renal failure, all the uncertainties, worries and anxieties. These are also felt by those nearest to you. They also worry about you and how this will affect their future. Change is around for everyone.
What you are feeling right now is a natural reaction to what you have been going through for the past weeks, months or maybe years. There is much uncertainty around, uncertainty that we somehow have to learn to live with. Some patients feel they have lost control of their lives and that suddenly someone else is "pulling the strings".
Try not to keep things to yourself. A problem shared is a problem halved. Often with a little bit of information many things suddenly fall into place and we begin to see that little bit of sunlight.
So ask. Speak to the doctor at the clinic; ask to see one of the Unit social workers, anyone you feel at ease with. All of us have many years experience working with kidney patients and there are few situations we have not coped with before. Share your concerns and we will do our best to help.