Garry’s Story
A year ago, Garry had no idea he would have a story to tell. Having been diagnosed with kidney cancer and his left kidney removed thirteen years ago, his annual checks with the GP were always clear.
Garry’s Type 1 diabetes was well managed and he worked at a holiday park in Keswick as an accommodation manager.
However, in January last year, Garry’s world fell apart.
“I went for my routine appointment with my GP, who said I needed to be referred to a Nephrologist because I had Stage 3B chronic kidney disease (CKD). Within six months, my function had dropped to 18%. The Nephrologist was very blunt when he told me I’d need a fistula soon for dialysis.
Around the same time, I was diagnosed with a Charcot Foot. I’d been in pain and limping for months. My foot, which had broken, was put in plaster and I had to go off sick from work. I felt so alone.”
Garry turned to a Facebook group for kidney patients for support. His mental health was declining. His life had been turned upside down in just a few months.
“I felt really poorly all the time. I was being sick every morning. I was so tired. I just couldn’t be bothered to do anything. Everything felt like an effort. I kept forgetting things all the time.
Then one Friday in November, I got a call from the hospital. My function had dropped to 8%. I needed to go for dialysis on Monday in Carlisle. I was so scared. I felt broken.”
Luckily for Garry, his fistula operation was successful and he had a strong fistula which worked well. However, he felt depressed.
“The unit was so quiet. Nobody spoke to anyone really. The nurses just came, put you onto dialysis and came back to take you off four hours later. After a few weeks, as I was stable and dialysis was going well, they said I could move to a satellite unit in Whitehaven.
It couldn’t have been more different. Everyone is chatty. Even the nurses come and sit with us for a chat. We get breakfast, sandwiches, it’s really lovely.
There are a lot of younger people here too. The atmosphere is really nice and friendly. The doctors pop in every day as well and they’re really helpful. I still have good days and bad days. Some days I feel really … washed out and tired.
I don’t think anyone can say they feel one hundred percent. I’ve had all the scans and blood tests ready to go on the transplant list. Two cousins and a friend have even offered to be tested to see if they are a match but if not, I’ll just wait on the list. “
Four months since his first dialysis, Garry is starting to look forward again.
“I still have a boot on my foot, just until it has healed properly. But I’m hoping to go back to work next month. I just thought, why not. I dialyse three days a week, so I have two days to myself and the weekend. I’m hoping to return on a flexible working pattern”.
Garry would be the first to admit that, at times, he felt like giving up. “I saw a counsellor who was actually a transplant patient herself. I don’t think anyone else really understands what it’s like to be a kidney patient.
She really helped me overcome my fear of starting dialysis. Lots of places have no mental health support. Nothing. But I want people who are facing kidney disease know that it isn’t the end of everything. There is always hope.”
Other resource
CKD patient information (CKDEx’s 30+ core articles about CKD)
Last Reviewed on 20 April 2024