Stage 4; Year 4

Shortly after my last post my kidneys slipped into stage four chronic kidney failure. This has required closer observation and an additional doctor closer to home that I see every three months. I’m still getting blood work done every two weeks to monitor everything. The doctors have since made some medication changes trying to keep my kidneys stable and thankfully, so far it has worked. It is actually very stressful mentally to wonder if the kidneys will hold up and how long they will remain stable. I try not to worry but it’s always in the back of my mind—what if. Lately my hemoglobin continues to drop  so I’ve been going in for Epogen injections every two weeks. Even though on paper my numbers look better I’m still tired and fall asleep easily. I’m extremely fatigued and I still battle chronic migraines on top of all of this. I do my best to just keep up with the basics and have to prioritize daily activities because I get sick easily. I still look normal and young on the outside, which makes it a bit difficult when I need to ask for a special privilege—a closer parking spot, being able to sit and rest, leaving early, etc. I wish people would understand being disabled doesn’t always mean a person is in a wheelchair or old and decrepit.