In January of this year I had the scare of my life when I got a call that the love of my life, Vivian, was lying unresponsive on the floor at home.
As we rushed her to the hospital, we started what would become a journey into learning and healing. After years of misdiagnoses, we finally learned that she was suffering from advanced kidney disease. The healing began when we took her to see Dr. Jorge Diego and the other physicians and staff at UHealth.
The UHealth nephrology department brought Vivian back from death’s doorstep. They not only started a dialysis program, but they gave her the encouragement and knowledge to take control over her condition.
Heck, Dr. Diego even took nearly a half-hour putting a kidney diet app on her phone.
I had Vivian and Dr. Diego on the show recently to talk about the whole experience.
“His caring and devotion made me feel so special and lucky – that I knew something great would happen and I would be fine,” Vivian said.
“As it turns out, I am doing so well I’ve amazed my doctors and my support system – including my rock, best friend and husband, Jim.”
Dr. Diego said there are actually several kidney centers in South Florida, which speaks to the incidence of kidney disease here and nationwide. About 10% of adults have some level of kidney disease, and most don’t even know they have it.
The success of dialysis, he said, depends on how far the condition has advanced, but it’s still worth it.
“People tend to be extremely afraid of dialysis. They think of it as the end of life,” he said. “But I try to reassure people that it’s actually the beginning of life. They’re going to feel normal again, and usually in a relatively short period of time.”
Speaking from experience, I can tell you that dialysis takes dedication from the patient and his/her support system, but it’s given my Vivian a new lease on life.
“It’s made me feel so wonderful. I can do almost anything now. The darkest days have become the brightest days for me. Dialysis for me is life,” she said.
Unfortunately, Dr. Diego said, there are usually no symptoms of kidney disease until the condition is very advanced. But things to pay attention to include frequent urinating at night, swelling legs, uncontrollable blood pressure, and fatigue, nausea or cramping.
So, if you’re in doubt, get checked out today. From the bottom of our hearts, Vivian and I want to thank Dr. Diego and all of the physicians and staff at UHealth – plus the family and friends who continue to uphold us as we walk this path.
Click here to listen to the full interview with Vivian Fried and Dr. Jorge M. Diego of UHealth.
