Hi everyone,

I thought I’d introduce myself and share a little about my kidney journey. I was first diagnosed with Stage 3b kidney disease back in December 2018, and then in October 2019 I was diagnosed with IgA Nephropathy following a kidney biopsy. Like many people, that was the start of learning a whole new language of appointments, blood tests, medications, and trying to understand what life with kidney disease would look like.

My dialysis journey began in February 2023 after a rather frantic call from 111, which led to things moving very quickly. I then had a hastily planned operation to fit a Tenckhoff catheter ready for peritoneal dialysis. It was such a quick turnaround from the call from 111 to the surgery, mainly down to the surgeon, who was off on holiday for the next month and he wasn’t prepared to leave the surgery until when he returned. I am glad he made that decision. After some training and a weekly flush sessions at the home therapy department, I finally started Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) around 17th April 2023, which i continued to have until June 2025, when I had to swap to Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD) due to insufficient dialysis.

It’s certainly been a journey with plenty of ups and downs, challenges, and adjustments along the way. More recently, I also had a stroke, so recovery has added another chapter to my health journey. It has made life more difficult at times, but it has also shown me the importance of resilience, patience, and support.

I’ve joined this community because there is something incredibly valuable about connecting with people who truly understand what living with kidney disease is like. Even when family and friends are supportive, it’s different speaking with people who have lived experience.

I’m hoping to become more involved here now. I feel I’m quite far into my own kidney journey, and I’d really like to give back by sharing any tips, advice, encouragement, or support that might help someone else. Sometimes the smallest bit of shared experience can make the biggest difference.

Wishing everyone the very best on their own journeys, and I look forward to getting to know you all.

Shona