Jess Arceneaux knew that his kidneys were probably going to fail one day. He just had no idea why.

As early as 1958, when he was a sophomore in college in Baton Rouge , La. , doctors told Arceneaux that his kidneys might fail. But they were baffled about the cause. By all accounts, Arceneaux was extremely healthy. He did not have diabetes or hypertension or any other chronic illness. But his kidneys were deteriorating and he knew he would have to monitor them carefully.

By 1994, he knew that something was wrong. "I just watched and watched and it really started getting to me. I could feel myself getting weaker," Arceneaux said.

Doctors informed him that his kidneys had indeed failed and he would have to begin dialysis treatment immediately. At the time, he was a principal for a middle school in Saudi Arabia , where he educated the children of the employees for an oil company.

Arceneaux traveled to Emory University in Atlanta for a transplant evaluation. A few weeks later, he received a letter stating that he was an excellent candidate for a transplant but would not be placed on the waiting list while he lived abroad.

Arceneaux points out that he reacted very matter of factly because he had been told for many years that his kidneys may eventually fail. His employer understood the situation and created a flexible schedule for him. They also assisted him in finding places where he could receive a transplant.

At first, dialysis did not hinder Arceneaux's work schedule because he only received dialysis twice a week. He continued working, while carefully monitoring his diet.

However, when doctors recommended that he begin a three times a week schedule, he felt that it was too much to ask his employer to miss another half day of work as it might begin to affect his job performance. On March 1, 1996 , he officially retired and moved back to the United States , settling in Palm Beach County , Florida.

He has no complaints about his experiences on dialysis because he immediately noticed a difference in how much more energy he had. "I was lucky because as soon as I started dialysis I felt great, so for me it was a very positive experience," Arceneaux explains.

After retiring, Arceneaux contacted Emory University once again and told them he was now living in Florida and asked to be placed on the waiting list for a transplant. A few weeks later, he went back to Emory for additional tests. Arceneaux then received another letter from the university stating that he had been placed on the waiting list and was still an excellent candidate for a transplant.

Arceneaux and his wife Mary Ellen were a bit surprised when they heard back from the university a few months later on September 1. "They called me at exactly 12:15 in the morning and said we have a match for you; can you get up here? We didn't have time to think - just to close up the house."

He quickly made plans to catch a flight at 6 a.m. to Atlanta . By 9 a.m. , he was in the hospital preparing for the transplant operation. The operation was successful and the cadaveric kidney transplant Arceneaux received that day has worked wonderfully ever since.

Arceneaux now spends time golfing two to three times a week, taking piano lessons, traveling with his wife throughout the United States , privately tutoring students and spending time with his two grandchildren.

While adjusting to life with his new kidney, Arceneaux remembered that someone at the dialysis unit asked him about becoming involved with the American Association of Kidney Patients. He recalls attending one meeting but not following up.

But then he read about a peer-counseling program through the local Palm Beach County Chapter of AAKP. He attended the next meeting and told them that he wanted to become involved with the Chapter's new program to educate patients. Arceneaux explained that he didn't realize how involved he would become because he was immediately made chairperson of the committee.

In time, AAKP's Palm Beach County Chapter developed the P.A.L. (Patient Advocate Link) program to help individuals understand kidney disease and the impact it can have on their lives.

"Our main purpose is to share our experiences with a person and their family at each stage of kidney disease. We want to show people that their medical conditions are not unique and to show them that they are not alone," Arceneaux said.

Now, Arceneaux and many other volunteers in the AAKP Palm Beach County Chapter help individuals in their area learn about kidney disease by sharing their experiences and informing them that while kidney disease requires an adjustment, it does not have to change your life completely.

"I basically tell people to investigate everything you can investigate - look into all modes of treatment. And don't let anyone tell you that you can't have a transplant," Arceneaux said. "I want to help convince people that there is life after kidney disease. I am a living example."

This article originally appeared in the November 2002 issue of aakpRENALIFE, Vol. 18, No. 3.

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