My name is Rizwana. I grew up in Kenya where I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at nine years old. I had to be very careful about what I ate, and had to take insulin shots every day. Back then we didn’t know as much about diabetes, and my blood glucose levels were not well-managed. I developed a serious eye disease in my twenties called retinopathy, as a complication of diabetes. Despite this setback, I continued my studies and became a teacher. 

It was diabetes that eventually triggered a diagnosis of kidney disease. When I was pregnant my doctor warned me that I would likely lose some kidney function after giving birth. Six months after my son was born, I had swelling in my legs that wouldn’t go away and I started to develop a strange metallic taste in my mouth. I was also very tired. My doctor did some tests. He said my creatinine levels were quite elevated and I should look into dialysis.  

At that point my husband and I were in the process of moving to Ontario. I decided to wait until after the move to focus on treatments for my kidneys. Not long after the move, I had to be rushed to hospital. My renal function had dropped to dangerous levels, and doctors insisted I start dialysis right away. The process happened so quickly, that there was no time to prepare.   

Having both diabetes and kidney disease has changed my life, and the lives of my husband and son.  I spent seven years on dialysis, three times a week in hospital. In 2004, I received an incredible gift - a kidney and pancreas transplant. After the surgeries, I had a lot more energy and a lot more freedom, as I was no longer tied to a dialysis machine. Last year my donor kidney failed, and I am back on dialysis again.   

What I would like other people to understand is, that living with diabetes is very hard on its own.  If you have diabetes, I suggest doing everything you can to ward off kidney disease. Try to keep your blood pressure in check and manage your blood sugar levels. It is hard to balance the dietary and other restrictions of both conditions at the same time. Above all else, see your doctor and follow advice on how to lessen the impact of kidney disease and diabetes.

Too many Canadians have their lives cut short by diabetic kidney disease. Donate now. Let’s end diabetic kidney disease.