I have battled kidney disease for over 10 years - Survivors story

Journalist, radio and TV presenter, Abigail N.M Ashley, a survivor of chronic kidney stage 4 (CKD St4), has shared a hallowing experience of her survival.

In a chilling interview with Sokoo Hemaa Kukua on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Ashley said, she once considered suicide because of the pain she saw her mother go through due to her situation.

She said at the point of committing the suicide, she received a call from her Godmother who invited her to church and that was where she rescinded her decision to take her own life.

According to her, the pastor at the church, told her she was not going to die as declared by doctors and it was at that point, I said to myself, I will not take my own life but will rather live and share my story for others to be inspired.

Abigail Ashley said her decision to share her story was borne out of the fact that, God was graceful to her although she has battled with kidney disease for over 10 years. Her journey she indicated has been bumpy but God has been very faithful and I have learnt to trust him, she told the host.

In her book titled, ‘’A Decade of My Life Behind My Smiles’’, Abigail said she saw her situation (CKD) as someone ‘’swallowing crocodiles’’.

According to her, it got to a time she was concentrating on other things instead of her condition and she once went to the hospital and was asked to stay away from salt and other meals and when she took the advice, she realized her condition had improved.

Abigail said after the fourth year, she was waiting to die in the fifth year and so within those five years, she started educating people on kidney disease.

She also revealed that through her radio show, she met a philanthropist who paid for her transplant in India.

However, when I travelled to Indian, I was asked to go back to Ghana because the transplant could not be done because they felt if I continue taking my drugs and diet as directed by my dietician, I will be improving.

Persons on dialysis he said spends more than GHc1500 on daily basis but for her, her cost is less because she is not on dialysis.

Getting diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is life changing, but there are treatments for every stage to help manage your health—and allow you to thrive.

It has been established that, kidney failure advances and the organ's function is severely impaired, dangerous levels of waste and fluid can rapidly build up in the body.

Treatment is aimed at stopping or slowing down the progression of the disease - this is usually done by controlling its underlying cause. Common symptoms include blood in urine, high blood pressure, and fatigue. Causes include diabetes and specific kidney diseases, which includes polycystic kidney disease.

There is no cure for chronic kidney disease, which means treatment is focussed on reducing symptoms. Diagnosis commonly occurs after blood tests, kidney scans, or biopsy.

The most common signs and symptoms of chronic kidney disease include:

· anemia

· blood in urine

· dark urine

· decreased mental alertness

· decreased urine output

· edema - swollen feet, hands, and ankles (face if edema is severe)

· fatigue (tiredness)

· hypertension (high blood pressure)

· insomnia

· itchy skin, can become persistent

· loss of appetite

· male inability to get or maintain an erection (erectile dysfunction)

· more frequent urination, especially at night

· muscle cramps

· muscle twitches

· nausea

· pain on the side or mid to lower back

· panting (shortness of breath)

· protein in urine

· sudden change in bodyweight

· unexplained headaches