The Illness

ESRD....Do you know what that is? Before July 2008 I didnt know what it was either. End Stage Renal Disease. The doctors called us on July 8th, it was a Wednesday. They left a voicemail that he needed to be admitted into the hospital immediately. His creatnine level was over 10. Wondering what creatnine level is too right? The creatnine level is the number that indicates the kidney function. Darion had a blank look on his face for a few minutes before going to our bedroom to pack a bag with clothes, his bible and a few other personals. I stood there watching him for several minutes before I burst into tears. We arrived at the hospital that afternoon not knowing what to expect. He was in the hospital for 7 days on the first visit. They initially told us that the kidney had rejected and they could treat it with a series of medications. A few days later, he was back in the hospital. They treated him with different meds than they had before for 3 days. I lay aside him on a cot as thin as two small blankets each night. I was so overwhelmed, but he was even more overwhelmed. He couldn't understand why this was happening again. I learned so much within a two week period, but still had much more to learn.