At 7 years old, most children don’t have a care in the world aside from the latest and greatest toy on the market or when it’s time to go outside and play. Eric Eisenberg was in fact a typical kid, but there was one thing that made him a little different – he was diagnosed with congenital reflux, which caused urine to back up in his kidneys. Though the obstruction was removed, his kidneys were left scarred, resulting in chronic kidney disease (CKD).

From an early age, Eric’s parents worried about his medical care, did necessary research, and let Eric concentrate on being a kid. They contacted specialists and other patients in their area for support. They also received materials from organizations, such as AAKP, to educate themselves about young Eric’s disease.

But Eric got more from his doctor’s visits than just medical advice. He developed childhood friendships with fellow patients who helped him understand the importance of taking care of his disease. He received support from children who were just like him. It was at this early age Eric began to decide what he wanted to do with his life – he would be a doctor.

Now, 25 years later, Eric Eisenberg, MD, is an internal medicine doctor working toward his specialization in nephrology. As a patient and physician, Eric has seen the full spectrum of kidney disease.

But it wasn’t always an easy road. As a teenager, Eric was angry, frustrated and sometimes non-compliant to treatments necessary to preserve his health. However, with the help of a friend and fellow patient who handled his own disease with maturity and dignity, Eric steered himself onto the right path. In fact, his creatinine level has remained stable for the past six years.

“Since becoming a physician, one thing I’ve learned about my own fears as a patient is to look at the facts and the objective side of things,” said Eric. “It has really shed some light on my disease and changed my perspective in a good way. When you can take a look at what medicine has to offer, it has a calming effect.”

According to Eric, working as a physician has helped him understand the importance of educating patients about their disease. He believes it is essential for patients to see themselves and their disease clearly, as well as understand options they have available to them throughout the progression of their disease.

“In my life, I wear two hats – patient and physician. But it is important for me to always understand that when I’m working there is a doctor in the room and a patient in the room. There is never room for two patients,” said Eric.

Eric looks inward at the care he gives to each patient. Rather than speaking to everyone in the same manner, he takes on each person one by one to assess the best method of care for each of them. “The art of what patients need is going to differ from patient to patient,” said Eric. “What a physician can bring to the table should vary depending on what each patient needs.”

There are so many feelings someone with kidney disease can experience. Eric stresses, “I’ve been through my fair share of denial, anger, abandonment and indifference.” As a doctor, Eric admits it is frustrating to see patients who can’t see they are not taking proper care of themselves. He understands his role as a doctor is somewhat limited. At the end of the day, patients have to go home and incorporate what he said into their lifestyles and surroundings. These and many other factors are why Eric greatly values the influence role models and fellow patients can have on someone’s life.

As a patient, Eric strives to be a role model. He wants to show people he is living a healthy lifestyle as a CKD patient and taking a stand in the care he receives and having some control over the progression of his disease.

Throughout the years, Eric has attributed his successes with kidney disease to good doctors who were unafraid to use a firm hand, his supportive family, and fellow patients who he could relate to in a real and meaningful way.

“That piece of the puzzle [fellow patients] was very nice. Talking to another patient about what I was going through and how I felt was invaluable,” said Eric.

Eric encourages patients to combine their doctors’ advice of taking care of themselves with the understanding that can come from listening to experiences from fellow patients. In time, these patients who need mentoring can become mentors themselves. According to Eric, “It’s a learning experience – but you get better at it.”

Currently, Eric lives in Jamaica Plain, Mass., with his wife and daughter. This month, they will welcome a son into their family. Eric is in a three-year nephrology fellowship program at Boston Medical Center. When he is not working, he spends time with his family, exercises, reads and is now dabbling in writing.

“Each morning when I wake up, I feel incredibly lucky to know I have something to offer to fellow patients,” said Eric. “Helping other patients as a patient provides a feeling of fulfillment that I never expected, but I’m glad that I can.” 

This article originally appeared in the March/April 2006 issue of Kidney Beginnings: The Magazine, Vol. 5, No. 1.

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