William Garrett was used to a busy schedule. He was used to the long hours and the long days. He was used to spending all day on his feet. And he was used to the traveling involved with his job as a film editor.

This all changed in August of 1997 when William was diagnosed with kidney failure.

William Garrett moved to Los Angeles in 1980 and decided to attend film school at the University of Southern California. Shortly after graduation, William began his career in the film industry.

Over the next 10 years, William would spend much of his time editing movies, television shows and commercials. He also directed approximately 90 music videos.

During this time, William's doctors told him that his kidneys were ailing and he would have to go on dialysis. They told him his kidney disease was a combination of high blood pressure and a genetic disposition.

William was disappointed with the news but took it in stride and followed his doctors' orders. William immediately began treatment on hemodialysis. After a few months, he decided to begin peritoneal dialysis, which he continues to do today.

He switched to PD because of the time commitment necessary with hemodialysis at a unit. This commitment would not work well with the flexibility required in his job.

"With PD, I felt I was taking control of my illness. I felt it was empowering," William said. "I also felt better on peritoneal dialysis, as hemodialysis required a little bit more recovery time for my body."

Despite the significant change in his life, William expected to continue his work as an editor. Over time however, he began to realize that the treatments were impacting his work schedule.

"It (dialysis) was very difficult with all the traveling involved with the job. It just got to be too hectic with the time I spent on my feet. My work was suffering and so was I," William said.

William started to consider a change of careers. He wanted a position with a more structured commitment. After thinking things over, he decided to pursue a profession he had some experience in: teaching.

He had taught writing as part of master classes in graduate school and enjoyed the experience. "My wife (Marlene) had done some substitute teaching in elementary school and I thought I would give it a try," William describes.

William teaches mostly English at three high schools in the Los Angeles area. He is also asked to teach an occasional math or science class.

According to William, entering the teaching profession after years as a film editor was not a difficult adjustment. "It doesn't seem to be that difficult, just getting through all the paperwork, but it didn't really take that much of a transition. I have two of my own (sons, 15 and 10) and I've done a lot of coaching for sports teams so it wasn't a problem," William explains.

In fact, he often uses experiences from his previous job to relate to the young men and women in his classrooms. "Occasionally, you get through to some of them. The music videos are an important part of their culture and being conversive in that helps," William said.

And while he finds teaching students very gratifying, it does not prevent him from thinking about his old job. He sometimes finds himself looking back fondly on his days as a film editor. He even misses the excitement and fast pace of the job from time to time.

But he has moved to a new position. He relishes his current work as an educator and has developed a strong appreciation for the work teachers do. He also feels healthy and has adjusted to life with kidney disease. He took a different path and is glad he did.

This article originally appeared aakpRENALIFE, Vol. 17, No. 1, July 2001.

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