By Minnie Slaven

When I was 11 years-old, I went into kidney failure not knowing how it would change my life. As an 11 year-old, going to school did not bother me at first because no one knew I was on dialysis except my teacher.

That all changed the day a classmate came up to me and asked me why I had something tucked in my shirt. At that time what was tucked in my shirt was my CAPD bag. Back then, the bag was not detachable and you had to hide it somewhere in your clothing. It was hard at that age to explain the problem I had. Later that same year, I received a kidney transplant from one of my older sisters. I was scared, but everything went smoothly.

After the transplant, I returned to junior high school (seventh grade) and health wise, I felt great. One of the drawbacks about going to school during this time was the weight gain from the transplant. It was a tough time, especially when the other students started calling me names. I can remember some of the names, such as chipmunk and Miss Piggy. The situation made me depressed and eventually I became non-compliant with my anti-rejection medication. As a result, I rejected the kidney.

At the age of 15, I was on hemodialysis. I was just starting high school, which was a big experience all in its own. I think the hardest challenge during that time of my life was going to dialysis early in the morning and then going to school after getting off of dialysis. I found it very terrifying. Many times I had a hard time staying awake in class and my grades suffered as a result. That changed when the dialysis unit brought in homebound teachers to give us assignments while we were receiving treatments.

Now at the age of 26, and still on hemodialysis, I would be very happy to receive another transplant. The weight gain does not bother me now as it did before because through the years and with experience, I have learned names only hurt. What counts is that your health comes first!

My advice to anyone who is a young patient and on dialysis is this: Get the kidney transplant and love it with all you have got. Do not let anyone get your spirits down because only you know the road you have traveled. Lift your head with pride when you tell someone you have a kidney transplant.

This article originally appeared in the Fall 1998 issue of aakpRENALIFE, Vol. 19, No. 3.