
In Lauren’s own words
Am I a daddy’s little girl? Of course I am. I love my dad. But unfortunately for us, my dad was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease that affected his kidneys, called lupus, in 2003. Luckily the doctors were able to keep it under control and he was in remission for fifteen years. Fast forward to 2019 though, and his kidneys were deteriorating at a quick rate. He then proceeded to start dialysis and was placed on the kidney transplant list. I still feel disheartened and hurt to this day that this is happening to us, and I am frightened for the future.
The period before my dad started home dialysis, he became extremely ill; this was terrifying to witness. I had never seen him this unwell, he just was not himself. I would come home from school and just see him lying there, absolutely helpless, and there was nothing I could do. I was useless. It was the constant thought of ‘will he be okay’?
Out of everyone it had to be him. But it didn’t just affect him physically, it really affected him emotionally and that part hurt me the most. Watching him cry was soul-destroying and made me feel so broken inside. I didn’t want to see him in pain. I still feel helpless there is nothing I can do to help but I know as long as I stay strong, just like how brave my dad is, we will get through it together.
My dad’s illness really taught me to take every day as it comes and to be thankful for what you have. You never know, one day your whole life could spontaneously change in a matter of seconds. The simplest things you can do in life could become so challenging.
- The Renal Warrior Project. Join Now
- Source: https://www.kidneyresearchuk.org/2023/12/08/i-will-never-stop-having-hope-that-one-day-my-dad-will-get-the-call-for-a-kidney-transplant/