Kidney Dialysis Treatment in India

Sarah Nair, a 42-year-old high school...

Sarah Nair, a 42-year-old high school biology teacher and mother of two, was diagnosed with IgA nephropathy five years ago. Her condition, managed with medication, deteriorated over the last year. She began experiencing debilitating fatigue, persistent nausea, and severe swelling in her legs and ankles. Blood tests revealed her kidney function (eGFR) had dropped to 12%, and she was experiencing uremia. Her nephrologist, Dr. Mehta, explained that her kidneys could no longer filter waste from her blood effectively. He recommended starting hemodialysis immediately to take over this function, prevent life-threatening complications, and improve her quality of life while they explored the possibility of a transplant. Sarah started thrice-weekly, four-hour sessions at a dialysis center. The first few sessions were exhausting, with headaches and cramping, but her care team adjusted her dialysis prescription. Over time, her energy returned, the nausea subsided, and the swelling reduced. Emotionally, the diagnosis and start of dialysis were devastating; she felt like her body had failed her and worried about being a burden to her family. Post-dialysis, while she resents the time commitment and the 'machine dependency,' she feels physically stronger and more present for her children. She channels her scientific mind into understanding her treatment and has found a supportive community at the center, shifting her perspective from victim to active participant in her care.