The physical reality of dialysis varied greatly from day to day. Some treatments were uneventful, while others brought significant challenges. I experienced severe muscle cramps, headaches, episodes of passing out, dizziness, and fatigue. Many of these symptoms were related to fluid management and dry weight adjustments. Learning how my body responded to treatment became a continual process of observation and adaptation.

I often describe dialysis as “riding the waves.” Some days I felt strong and capable; other days I struggled physically and mentally. The key was learning how to navigate those ups and downs rather than resisting them.

Mentally, one of the most difficult complications I experienced was brain fog. While many people focus on the physical symptoms of kidney disease and dialysis, the cognitive impact can be equally challenging. Brain fog affected my concentration, memory, recall, communication, writing ability, and overall thought processes. It influenced nearly every aspect of my life, including my professional responsibilities, social interactions, and personal confidence.

Eventually, my health and treatment demands forced me to leave the profession I had spent years building. That transition was not easy. Like many patients living with chronic illness, I faced the difficult task of redefining my identity and purpose. Rather than allowing those circumstances to defeat me, I redirected my energy toward volunteerism and advocacy within the kidney disease community. My pain became an opportunity to support others. In many ways, helping others became part of my own healing process.

Emotionally, dialysis brought repeated cycles of shock, adjustment, acceptance, and renewed challenges. Just when I thought I had adapted, another surgery, medical setback, or obstacle would appear. Over time, I learned that resilience is not about avoiding adversity; it is about continuing forward despite it.

People often ask how long someone can live on dialysis. The answer varies considerably based on age, overall health, pre-existing conditions, treatment adherence, and many other factors. I came to believe that while some factors are beyond our control, our attitude and commitment toward treatment play an important role in determining quality of life.

My dialysis schedule typically consisted of treatments three times per week—Monday, Wednesday, and Friday—for three-and-a-half to four-and-a-half hours per session. Occasionally, additional Saturday treatments were necessary. Many mornings began before sunrise and lasted well into the late morning. Other patients may require more frequent treatments depending on their circumstances. Every dialysis journey is unique. Throughout my experience, I developed a deep appreciation for the dialysis staff and fellow patients who became part of my extended family. We celebrated victories together, supported one another during setbacks, and shared a unique understanding that few outside the dialysis community can fully comprehend.

A common misconception is that transplantation is a simple or automatic process. Getting on the transplant list involves extensive testing, evaluation, monitoring, and patience. Every patient's timeline is different. The process requires persistence, trust, and a willingness to remain committed even when progress seems slow.