The color of a rare and precious ruby, deep red, symbolizes love, radiates warmth and expresses a strong sense of life. Both warm and fiery, Ruby Walker is a living gem. Ruby is the perfect symbol of powerful feelings, her passion and determination to overcome obstacles is humbling. Her life is a story of triumph over tragedy and the miracles that can occur when you have faith.  

A dialysis patient for over 29 years, Ruby Walker lost her first kidney at age 16. Originally from Sweeny, Texas, Ruby had a history of high blood pressure. In order to control it, she limited her salt intake and took medications. During the Christmas of 1971, her blood pressure rose to a dangerous level and she went into a coma. When she finally awoke from her coma a few days later, darkness surrounded her. The stress from the coma, caused by extreme high blood pressure, not only caused one of her kidneys to fail, but also left her completely blind.  

Ruby is a very spiritual and devoted woman. She and her grandmother prayed for her eyesight to be restored by her 18th birthday. A short time later, while visiting a friend, Ruby’s eyesight was miraculously returned. She did not even realize she could see again until her mother asked how she got back home without any help. “It finally hit me that I could see,” recalls Ruby. Tears began to roll down her cheeks as she and her mother wept with happiness. This miracle occurred three days before her 18th birthday.  

After overcoming this traumatic event, Ruby went on to receive her Associate in Business Administration from Brazos Port College in 1974. Shortly after graduating, she went to live with her grandparents. Her blood pressure was still reaching dangerous levels, one time measuring 250/230. The high blood pressure ultimately caused her remaining kidney to fail.

In November of 1974, Ruby began hemodialysis sessions. She went to Bristol Hospital Dialysis Center three days a week and spent eight hours dialyzing. Emotionally it was a tough time for her. “I could not handle it, I cried the whole time,” confesses Ruby. Ruby thought that the first dialysis machines resembled an old-fashioned washing machine. “I did not know what was going on, or what was going to happen to me. The machine looked like a monster,” she admits.  Her mom supported her during this difficult time adjusting to hemodialysis. “Everyday she told me I was chosen by God and that I had a special gift,” reveals Ruby. 

In 1980, Ruby received a kidney transplant from a 21-year-old male who had indicated his willingness to be an organ donor on his license. Ruby remembers her mother having a fateful dream. “Before I knew that I was going to get a kidney, my mom had a dream that a doctor was placing something in my abdomen that looked like a pinto bean. God told her that it would work perfectly,” she recalls. Ruby received the kidney two months after her mother had the prophetic dream.  

Her transplanted kidney began to reject after two and half years. On July 30, 1984, her kidney was completely rejected and she returned to dialysis. Because of the advancement in technology, hemodialysis sessions this time around were much shorter. Ruby only went to dialysis three days a week for four hours each time. A fistula was placed in her right arm and remained unclotted for 20 years. Finally, a second fistula had to be placed in her upper left arm. Ruby informs patients, “If you are a long-term dialysis patient, it is very possible that you will have many accesses over your life. You may have to go through several surgeries.”  

Her nurse and now best friend, Betty Williams, taught her about the dialysis equipment, how to stick her own access needles and the importance of being in charge of her healthcare. “Even when I went into major depression, my friend, Nurse Betty, and my family were there for me,” Ruby states, “Because of the support from my family and friends I pulled out of depression.” Ruby is extremely proud that she sticks her own access needles and has for many years.  

Ruby dedicated herself to her work as a liaison for the Texas Rehabilitation Commission from 1975-1986. Texas began to provide dialysis patients with resources and programs that allowed them to return to work. “They were flexible with my hours for the times I had to go to dialysis,” says Ruby. When the dialysis center scheduled a night shift, she was able to dialyze after work.  

Ruby did not let kidney disease control her life. She was determined to live her life to the fullest. Her strong spirit helped her go back to school where she received a certificate in computers. At this time, she was only dialyzing for four hours, three days a week. She worked as a data entry clerk for a medical company from 1986-1996 before going on total disability leave.  

Ruby became self-empowered by learning as much as she could about her health condition. She started to ask questions and educate others about kidney disease. “I became a wealth of knowledge. I live to educate others about kidney disease and to help them overcome,” she says. As a long-term dialysis patient Ruby receives a lot of attention. “I realize that I am truly somebody special,” Ruby reveals. She uses the attention she receives to educate others about the importance of taking control of one’s healthcare in order to live a long and healthy life on dialysis.  

When she is not going to dialysis, Ruby volunteers for the AAKP Dallas Chapter where she has been integral in creating awareness about kidney disease, as well as how to monitor high blood pressure and control diabetes. Ruby uses the information and educational materials that AAKP provides to teach others about kidney disease.   

Ruby emphasizes the importance of patients learning as much as possible about their healthcare and following their doctor’s instructions. “I tell people who are just starting dialysis that I had depression, I even tried to overdose on pills, but that is not the way to go. However, you have to choose to live; the machine will not do it for you. I chose to live.” Ruby believes that the support of family and friends is most important in keeping a positive outlook.  

This article originally appeared in the September 2003 issue of aakpRENALIFE, Vol. 19, No.2.

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