​So how did I develop kidney disease?
Now that is the million dollar question.  I used to be very active and walked 3 times a week and over weekends walked to the cross on the mountain.  The cross used to be diagonally above the tower here on the Outeniqua mountains.
 
I remember the doctor at the time said there is blood in my urine, but it is okay as I am so active, but slowly over a period of time the walking slowed down until I just stopped walking.
 
This was when I was diagnosed with heart failure with less than 6 months to live, but this is another story.
 
I had to go to the local hospital for heart function tests and on discharge was phoned by the specialist who asked me these weird questions about my kidneys.  He asked me over and over the same questions.  I ended up in Groote Schuur Hospital where I stayed for 2 months and I had an Aortic Valve replacement.  The renal department supported me through the operation and the recovery afterwards.
 
It was not very long after this open heart surgery that I was told I have 5 years with my kidneys as they were deteriorating fast.  Thanks to the care of the doctors at the local hospital I was approved for peritoneal dialysis and had to have the Tenckhoff catheter fitted.
 
A PD catheter (sometimes called a Tenckhoff catheter) is a special tube that is inserted into your abdominal cavity (space around the organs within your tummy). ... You will need to have an operation to insert your PD catheter.

​What is kidney failure?
Kidney failure, also known as end-stage kidney disease, is a medical condition in which the kidneys no longer function. ... Causes of acute kidney failure include low blood pressure, blockage of the urinary tract, certain medications, muscle breakdown, and hemolytic uremic syndrome.
 
Dialysis
According to the kidney specialist I have Berger’s disease.   
IgA nephropathy, also known as Berger's disease, is a kidney disease that occurs when IgA deposits build up in the kidneys, causing inflammation that damages kidney tissues.  IgA is an antibody—a protein made by the immune system to protect the body from foreign substances such as bacteria or viruses.
 
I am fortunate to be able to do peritoneal dialysis and I attach myself to a bag every four hours, every day.  I start at 6 am and finish at 10pm.  So at 6am, 10am, 2pm and 6pm I stop what I do – scrub and sterilise my hands, sterilise the workspace and perform this function.  At 10pm I drain out the 6pm liquid and sleep dry.  The next day at 6am I start again.  This is done every day!! I have been on peritoneal dialysis since May 2015.
 
Peritoneal dialysis (per-ih-toe-NEE-ul die-AL-uh-sis) is a way to remove waste products from your blood when your kidneys can no longer do the job adequately. A cleansing fluid flows through a tube (catheter) into part of your abdomen and filters waste products from your blood.