Gladys

 

Gladys is 17 years old. At age 14 she had kidney failure, and she has been on dialysis ever since. She says that dealing with her disease means she doesn't live the same lifestyle as her friends. She has missed out on a lot of school that this teenager wishes she hadn't. But she takes it all in stride as she waits for a kidney transplant.

 

Below she tells us what happened the night she was diagnosed and what her life has been like since:

 

Tell me about the day you had kidney failure.

We were living in Florida. It was December 14, and we were going to a family party. I started getting weak and pale. I felt sick, and my parents got worried. I was throwing up and one time threw up blood. My mom took me to the emergency room. I remember the doctors asking me if there was any chance I could be pregnant. After that, I don't remember anything. I went into a coma for a month.

 

What happened after you woke up?

I couldn't walk, talk, or move. All I could do was see people.

 

What did that feel like?

It was really scary. I didn't know what had happened or how much time had passed. But at least I woke up! I spent New Years and Christmas in a coma. On Christmas they told my mom that I probably wasn't going to make it through the night. But luckily I survived.

 

How are you doing now?

After a while I slowly started moving and took physical therapy. I'm walking and running now.

 

How many times per week do you come to Phoenix Children's for dialysis?

Three times per week, and I'm here [at the Department of Nephrology] for about three and a half hours at a time. When I get a kidney transplant I won't have to anymore. I'm on the list for one right now.  

 

How has all of this changed your life?

When I was still living in Florida, I'd have an hour wait to get my dialysis. I'd have to get up really early in morning. I'd wake up at 4:30 to get it done at 7 in the morning, and wouldn't get home until one or two o'clock in the afternoon. Since I got home so late I couldn't really go to school, so I was home-schooled. I missed out on my freshman, sophomore, and junior years. It limits me too.

 

Like what?

Since I have a catheter, I can't go swimming when everyone goes to the lake. It's not as much fun, and I have to be careful what I eat. It's not a normal lifestyle.

 

Are you in school now?

Yes, at Phoenix Children's, they're more flexible with my schedule. I only have four classes and go to dialysis at about one o'clock in the afternoon.

 

What do you do while you're there?

Homework. I'd rather get it done there. They have teachers there to help you, too.

 

What is it like at Phoenix Children's?

I love the Hospital. It's great. They have Child Life and there's always some kind of entertainment going on. It makes the time go by fast. Since we're sitting there for that long, they also have TV and Internet. You can watch movies too. This isn't a great experience, but they make it a lot easier.