By Nacianceno (Cheno) Rodela, Jr.
Nacianceno (Cheno) Rodela, Jr., a retired human resources manager for the Army and Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES), experience with high blood pressure and its repercussions started long before his professional career. Cheno was diagnosed as having hypertension at the age of 12 and began taking medication at the age of 18. After graduating from high school in 1966, he dreamed of joining the military along with his childhood best friend, but his high blood pressure disqualified him. His best friend was accepted, and sadly lost his life in Vietnam the very next year.
A couple of years later Cheno married and began working for the AAFES. In 1978, while on a business trip, he suffered a mild stroke which caused temporary paralysis on his left side. While hospitalized, he was also diagnosed as being diabetic. Cheno, then a 32-year-old, insulin-dependent, father of a six-year-old son, was becoming increasingly concerned about the impact of his illness on his family’s future.
In 1979, he and his family were transferred to Germany and spent the next three years enjoying Europe and visiting several countries. He continued taking blood pressure medication, injecting insulin twice daily, eating healthy and moderately exercising. Around 1985, his lab results began to elevate and the nephrologist told him to prepare to be on dialysis within five years. To prepare Cheno for dialysis, the physician arranged a visit to a dialysis clinic. At this point, Cheno decided that he would do everything within his power to delay the start of dialysis by learning about diabetes, hypertension and end-stage renal disease (ESRD), including following a strict sugar-free, salt-free and fat-free diet. His last duty station was Hickman AFB in Hawaii . The beautiful weather in Hawaii allowed him to expand his exercise routine to include walking three miles per day.
On Father’s Day 1994, one week after the joy and excitement of his first golfing "hole-in-one," Cheno suffered a mild heart attack. Determined not to allow himself to be afraid to live a normal life, he was back on the golf course as soon as he completed an eight-week rehabilitation therapy. It also became apparent that the rigorous demands of the job he loved so much were contributing to his health problems. In 1995, after 29 years of service to the military community, Cheno retired and returned with his family to San Antonio, Texas .
In 1997, while on vacation with his wife in California , Cheno fell ill with fever and chills. By this time his energy level had been decreasing and the time for dialysis had finally arrived. They cut their vacation short and returned home on the next available flight. As soon as they landed in San Antonio they headed directly for the nephrologist’s office. Within 20 minutes Cheno was placed in an ambulance headed for the Emergency Room; he had suffered a major heart attack and kidney failure. After being placed on dialysis, the doctors informed Cheno to "get better" if he wanted to survive the open heart surgery he desperately needed. One week later, Cheno underwent quadruple by-pass surgery. Surgery went well and he was on the way to recovery when he suddenly collapsed in the hospital room from an episode of "sudden death" caused by an onset of rapid heart rate. After being resuscitated, it was determined that he was at high risk for future occurrences and a cardiac defibrillator was implanted in the left shoulder area. Soon after, it was back to the operating room for a permanent vascular access for dialysis. Throughout his 30-day hospital stay, Cheno was given the last rites on three occasions.
Cheno remembers commenting to the heart specialist, "I don’t understand why I have experienced these health problems. I don’t drink or smoke. I avoided sugar, salt and fat. I took my medications and insulin daily, and I exercised regularly." The doctor replied, "That’s why you’re alive today. Someone who didn’t take care of himself like you and have the positive attitude that you have would not have survived all that you have survived." Cheno also attributes his survival to his religious faith and positive encouragement from his wife and family.
Today Cheno is nearing his sixth anniversary on dialysis. Even though he may not ever be transplanted due to a weakened heart, he is thankful that dialysis is available. “Without dialysis there would not be a golf tee time, my 34th wedding anniversary or driving my PT Cruiser.”
Cheno’s advice to patients is to become involved with your healthcare. Learn about transplantation, about the different types of dialysis available, what the settings are on your dialyzer and what your lab results mean. Do not be afraid to ask questions. Take advantage of your nephrologist clinic visits. Let him or her know how you are feeling, ask questions about your treatment. Do not gain a lot of weight between dialysis treatments. Treat your care providers with the same respect you expect from them. Do not be negative about dialysis....it is our lifeline.
Cheno contributes as a volunteer in the renal community by being the Network Representative for the Village Oaks Dialysis Clinic; a member of the American Association of Kidney Patients (Lone Star Chapter); Director at Large, American Association of Kidney Patients; Patient Advisory Committee Member and Patient Representative for the Medical Review Board (End Stage Renal Disease, Network 14); Vice Chairperson, Texas Department of Health (Kidney Health Care); Occasional Guest Public Speaker at the Texas Diabetes Institute of Texas for Diabetic Patients; and Mentor for the National Kidney Foundation (San Antonio).
This article originally appeared in the March 2003 issue of aakpRENALIFE, Vol. 18, No.5.
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