World Kidney Day: Father-of-three praises Queen Alexandra Hospital as he shares reality of suffering from kidney disease for half of his life
FOUR to five hours of treatment every another night, two transplants and getting bone disease and skin cancer are just some of the ill-effects a father-of-three has had to put up with for over half his life thanks to kidney disease.
To mark World Kidney Day today, Phil West is sharing the reality of the long-term condition that charities feel there is not enough awareness around.
Phil, who is cared for by the renal team at Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham, had kidney failure back in January 1996 and started dialysis straight away.
He had his first kidney transplant nine months later, which lasted 11 years.
The medically-retired transport manager then went back on dialysis for three years, which ended in him having a second transplant in 2011. The transplant lasted four years and he has been back on dialysis ever since.
As a result of his kidney problems, he has got heart disease, bone disease and skin cancer.
The 52-year-old from Chichester said: ‘I think kidney disease doesn’t have as much prominence as things like cancer because there is no physical sign that you are ill.
‘It has been incredibly challenging for the past 24 years and I don’t think people realise the impact that it has on your life, your family and
your friendships.
‘There is no cure just transplants and dialysis treatment which is difficult to go through.’
He added: ‘The team at QA have become like a second family to me and they are absolutely phenomenal. I would not be here without
them and there is always someone there at the end of the phone to chat if I need.’
Jenny Frank, live donor coordinator in the renal team at QA, said: ‘To mark World Kidney Day we want to promote kidney health and talk about issues associated with kidney disease.
‘We are joined by Kidney Patients Association as well as Kidney Care UK, speaking with patients, staff and members of the public.
‘We have also got some patients here to share their own story and talk about what it is like living with kidney problems.’
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a long-term condition where the kidneys don't work as well as they should.
Symptoms can include tiredness, swollen ankles, shortness of breath and feeling sick.
A spokesman for the Kidney Charities Together Group1, said: ‘Chronic kidney disease is a serious condition that affects over three million people in the UK, yet around one million people don’t realise they have it.
‘There is not enough awareness about kidney health, in fact most people don’t realise what their kidneys do until they stop working properly.
‘We’re aiming to change that on World Kidney Day. The Kidney Charities Together Group in the UK are launching a campaign which aims to raise awareness of our kidneys and the vital role they play.’
To find out more visit worldkidneyday.co.uk