How has dialysis impacted my life?

After medical examinations I was told that my kidney failure was more than likely progressive from some time back and due to uncontrolled and undiagnosed high blood pressure (hypertension). Apparently, I had been suffering from hypertension for probably a few years now but it had gone by unnoticed. It had now irreversibly damaged my kidneys. I am now working hand in hand with a wonderful medical team and my blood pressure is under control.

Apart from being a complete shock to me and my family, dialysis has definitely impacted my life and my quality of life. I now have to be more cautious of what I eat. For example, you would think a banana, or an avocado are healthy food choices for anyone, but for dialysis patients the high levels of potassium in these foods can be of risk to our health.

 I also had to adjust my work schedule. I held a 12-hour job before I was diagnosed and had to find a job where I could work less hours because now I have to accommodate my dialysis treatment into my daily life. This in turn has had a negative impact on my family's financial situation. My dialysis treatment has also made me miss important life events. I have had to miss school activities with my daughter and soccer games of my son because sometimes they are taking place during my treatment hours. Not to mention traveling has become a bit more challenging considering I either have to carry all my medical supplies with me and keep everything sanitized or attempt to find a local dialysis clinic at the place I will be traveling to.

If you would even consider the greatest gift of compassion and would consider being tested as a donor please contact Lara Stagg at 505-272-3106 (lastagg@salud.unm.edu) for UNM in Albuquerque, N.M. or complete the intake found at this link:  www.laspalmasdelsolhealthcare.com/signmeup for Las Palmas in El Paso, TX    

If prompted, please mention Daniel Melendez as recipient.