LIVING WITH KIDNEY FAILURE

MUSAWENKOSI DLAMINI

Living with Kidney Failure

#Dialysis

Born and raised in Emalahleni I grew up normal like any other kid living in the area. Until in 2010 when everything changed in a blink of an eye
it started with coughing, wheezing and chest pains but didn’t pay much attention to it.

I frequently went to the doctor for flu. In winter that is when I experienced more difficulty because it is extremely cold. Until I was diagnosed with asthma.

I had to take responsibility of my health at very young age but sometimes it was difficult I learnt that I’m no longer like the other kids which means I could no longer participate in physical activities playing with other kids and playing sport because breathing would become difficult for me.

I had to carry an asthma pump with me every day everywhere I go. As I continued with the treatment of asthma I was told that I will outgrow the asthma because I was not born with it I also had hope that one day I will be normal and live a normal life. Unfortunately for me being asthmatic aggravated to Kidney Failure of which I am a dialysis patient now, I go to dialysis three times a week. Being on dialysis became costly for me and my family because there were surgery operations I had to do in order for me to get my dialysis.

Dialysis on its own is costly especially if you are from the family that has no medical aid and if you are above 35 years of age the hospital doesn’t help you for dialysis.

If there could be free dialysis around the communities for patients living with kidney failure and support to be provided for those patients as everyone has the right to life whether young or old.