Personal Blog Post

When I first started this journey, I was scared and anxious. My nephrologist told me that after my biopsy, they’d know if my kidneys could recover. But after the biopsy, no one called me. I had to chase down the results myself—and no one ever clearly explained that my kidneys were severely damaged. I was left to face the unknown alone.

I hoped the doctors would show empathy. Instead, it felt like they were just going through the motions—following routines, ticking boxes, and moving on. I wasn’t treated like a person in crisis; I was just another case.

Once I was taken off dialysis, the clinic’s focus shifted. Instead of checking on me, they called daily to get the dialysis machine back. I later learned the equipment cost them about $20,000 a day sitting unused in my home.

Every doctor told me my kidney failure wasn’t reversible. “You’ll need dialysis for life,” they said. All except one woman who quietly said, “Maybe.” She was the only one who gave me hope.

When my kidney function actually improved—from CKD Stage 5 to Stage 4—no one told me. No calls. No recognition. I had to find out on my own.

I was also told I’d never see clearly again because of high blood pressure damage. My vision was so bad, light poles looked bent. Now, I see perfectly—without surgery.

The official line was that I’d be on dialysis until I got a transplant, and even then, lifelong management was the only option. No one mentioned recovery.

When I told Baxter, the home dialysis supply company, I no longer needed the supplies, they told me to throw away over 50 boxes. They’d likely already billed for them. That’s tax dollars wasted.

I’m the only patient at my clinic who reversed kidney failure. Instead of celebrating or studying how, they minimize it. Healing doesn’t bring in money—managing chronic illness does. They want me “managed,” not healed.

All they did was prescribe more pills. I had to fight to learn what was really happening. Today, I’m off six medications, including phosphate binders—without guidance from any doctor.

This is my story. I share it to show that hope is real and healing is possible—even when the system says otherwise.