Late Stage
Stage 5 Without Warning: My Life Changed Overnight
Hi everyone,
My name is Jaderson Grangeiro, I’m 38 years old, from Brazil, and I work remotely as a regional manager for a university in Spain. I started hemodialysis two weeks ago, and I’d like to share my story.
I’ve always had a very active life. I worked on important projects, trained regularly, traveled to many countries, and always believed I was in perfect health.
Because I was always physically strong, training and pushing myself, I lived with high blood pressure for years but assumed it was normal. I’ve always been a very intense person, so I never saw it as a real problem. I rarely went to the doctor, only in extreme situations. I truly believed I was healthy.
In October last year, I developed pneumonia. I had severe shortness of breath and went to the hospital. The pneumonia was treated quickly, but the doctors kept me hospitalized because my blood pressure wouldn’t go down. After multiple tests, they found abnormalities in my kidneys.
I was discharged and told to see a cardiologist and a nephrologist. The cardiologist diagnosed several heart issues caused by years of untreated hypertension and prescribed five medications. Then I saw a nephrologist, who ordered more blood, urine, and imaging tests.
That’s when they found a stenosis in my left renal artery, along with extremely high levels: creatinine 7.5, urea 5.2, and very high potassium.
I was hospitalized again. They placed a catheter in my neck, and now I’m on hemodialysis three times a week. My doctors are pushing me to get a fistula, but I’m still reluctant, partly out of fear and partly for aesthetic reasons.
To summarize: I’m 38 years old. I went to sleep thinking I was healthy and woke up in stage 5 chronic kidney disease. My left kidney is severely damaged, and my right kidney is functioning at around 10%. The disease was completely silent. I had no clear symptoms until it reached end stage.
Everything is still very recent, and I haven’t adapted yet. It’s extremely hard for someone who was always strong and active to suddenly become dependent on a machine and face so many limitations.
I’ve been feeling things I never felt before: fear, insecurity, and a constant sense of losing control. At times, I feel powerless and deeply frustrated.
I apologize for venting, but I really needed to talk to people who understand what I’m going through. Sometimes, the optimism from family and friends doesn’t help, because it doesn’t reflect the reality I’m living.
My wife has offered to donate a kidney, but that also brings a lot of internal conflict for me.
For the first time in my life, I feel fear. Fear of complications, fear of the future, fear of not being able to protect my family the way I used to.
I’m still trying to understand how to move forward.
1 - 3 of 3 Replies
@Jaderson My name is LaVise, and I have you in my thoughts and prayers. First, I want you to give yourself grace and just breathe. What you're feelingf,ear, insecurity, that sense of losing control, it's real, and your concerns are completely valid. This is a safe space for you to share as you navigate this journey. I know how life can change overnight, when I was first told about dialysis, it was mhours before surgery. Please know you can reach out to your doctors or social workers with any questions or for resources, they can offer guidance and help you navigate the next steps. I know you’re such an active person, and it’s tough not being able to move like you used to. But even with these limitations, that doesn’t have to stop you from living fully. Lean on our community for support and we can be a voice of encouragement and help you see all the possibilities ahead. You got this! I believe in you
@Jaderson I'm so glad you found this community. I'm 39 now but at the age of 26, I had a very similar situation where I ended up in the Emergency Room for high blood pressure and quick lab work revealed I had 7% kidney function. I started dialysis with a groin catheter right away. I went from thinking I had the flu or something to finding out I had kidney disease. My best advice to you is to talk to as many transplant recipients as you can to get more comfortable with the entire process. Obviously, speak to your care team as well. My friend donated a kidney to me in 2014 and both he and I are doing great all these years later. It can be very scary and intimidating but you're going to get through this!
@Jaderson First and foremost, welcome and thank you for sharing this incredibly difficult chapter in your life. I am truly sorry that this is happening. Kidney disease can be very isolating, but you will find so many people here who have been through similar situations, and I hope it gives you some comfort to know that things can get better!
It will take time to cope with those feelings but know that it does not make you any weaker. As a matter of fact, you are extremely strong for going through this and continuing on with your everyday life while trying to make changes to take care of yourself. It is so much to be hit with unexpectedly, especially because you are used to just working hard and taking care of your family. So please never apologize for sharing those feelings.
My mom was my donor and when she offered her kidney, I did not want to accept it. It actually took a while and many different interventions for me to come to terms with that. I know parents would do anything for their children but accepting such a gift was just unfathomable to me. So, I can relate a tiny bit to your feelings about your wife donating.
Hearing that everything will work out when are going through so much does not always help. This road that you are on will be filled with lots of bumps and the best thing you can do it continue to express what you are feeling and try taking things one day at a time. Dialysis is extremely hard and I hope you are able to do a modality that fits your lifestyle. Continue to ask your team questions and make sure you express all your concerns, including the ones about your future and taking care of your family. I don't know much about healthcare in Brazil, but you can find many different stories and experiences here that will hopefully provide you some support.
Again, thank you for sharing this and please keep us updated on how you are doing!