People of HealthUnlocked | Meet Keith - HealthUnlocked Blog

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People of HealthUnlocked | Meet Keith

MarketingHU profile image
11 Replies

Hello lovely people, just want to take a moment to thank everyone for sending in their stories, they will all be shared here over the next few weeks - so keep them coming. They are so inspiring. If you'd like to have your story featured here, get in touch on the email at the bottom of this post. :-) For now, this is Keith's journey.

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"I was first diagnosed in November 2015 after I made a visit to A&E (Accident & Emergency) feeling very unwell. They kept me due to my kidney function being very low; to the point of being dangerous. I spent about a week in Calderdale Hospital and was then seen by a Renal Consultant who transferred me to the specialist renal unit at St James Hospital in Leeds. I had a kidney biopsy and blood tests and then diagnosed with ANCA Vasculitis but it had also left me with Stage 3/4 Chronic Kidney Disease. I then spent 2 weeks in the unit and the decision was made to give me a plasma exchange which basically meant I spent every day on a machine for 5-6 hours having about 53 litres of plasma exchanged; coupled with a couple of blood transfusions.

The illness has affected my life in many ways; I was a very active guy who loves sport and played rugby for many years until I eventually retired. I loved walking and playing golf. Now, unfortunately, I have to listen to my body when it tells me to stop and rest.

Steps are an issue for me and balance hampers me but thankfully Janet, my wife who has been my rock through all this, is there to support me. I think you do take a reality check in circumstances like this; Janet and I discussed things, but now we don't plan like we used to.. if we decide we just DO IT. It has been a very long road and I am still on it, it's been both difficult and worrying but my consultants and St James Hospital Renal Unit have been fantastic, to say the least, they monitor me on a very regular basis which gives me a great deal of confidence.

I am still on a journey and goodness knows where it will take me. I enjoy talking to people with similar or same issues on HealthUnlocked. It's interesting that I can talk to Janet, my wife, about the illness and all that goes with it but with no disrespect to her, talking to people in my situation is invaluable; we give confidence and support to one another.

I have had a further complication as though I haven't had enough to cope with and that was through examination, I was found to have bladder cancer and all credit to my consultants I was dealt with quickly and had the tumor removed and had 6 weeks of chemotherapy to prevent reoccurrence. I then had another examination later and scar tissue was found in my bladder so had to go back in again to have it removed. My kidney consultant has been great in explaining everything in that it could have started because my immune system was very low to combat my Vasculitis.

All in all, I am still on a journey and goodness knows where it will take me. I have my wife Janet who is my rock through it all and we carry on doing the things we want to and trying not to dwell on anything."

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Keith has given us consent to share this story.

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Stories on HealthUnlocked have an incredible way of raising awareness around certain conditions, as well as inspiring people who might be in the same situation as you. Would you like to share your health journey? Email me at communications@healthunlocked.com

xo, Leilah

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MarketingHU
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11 Replies
jillygirl profile image
jillygirl

Please wish Keith all the best for a great future for himself and janet.

Thanks for sharing. :)

MarketingHU profile image
MarketingHU in reply tojillygirl

Thanks jillygirl :-) Will do. Always appreciate your comments. Have a lovely weekend, and I hope it's sunny where you are.

san_ray70 profile image
san_ray70 in reply toMarketingHU

I am pleased Keith Is so very positive, my brother in law had the same type of cancer and he recovered. Good luck to Keith and his wife in the future.

Newdawn profile image
Newdawn

Best wishes to Keith and his wonderfully supportive wife.

Newdawn

lupus-support1 profile image
lupus-support1

I wish Keith "perfect healing" & best wishes to his wife, Janet, a supportive & loving part of Keith's life.

MarketingHU profile image
MarketingHU

Thanks for the lovely messages to Keith and Janet. I will make sure he gets them :-)

CarpeDiem11 profile image
CarpeDiem11

So nice to read about Keith and his wife, from the point of view that he is so positive about everything that has happened and how he continues to deal with it. I wish them the very best for the future and as many of us know, listening to your body is so important.

Keith's message is one of hope and determination and I hope his family and friends recognise this. I hope he continues to inspire and enjoy life.

kycmary profile image
kycmary

Hello Keith glad to meet ya & your wife Janet also. This is a good place to hang out & talk, vent & ask questions. We love everybody. Mary

Zest profile image
Zest

Really great to read about Keith, and his experiences, and I'd like to wish him and Janet the best for the future, and that I've appreciated reading his story.

Best wishes,

Zest :-)

Please send Keith my best wishes and please give a mention to is lovely wife Janet for being there for him as is carer what a wonderful story, all best for the future . Clive

Megbird profile image
Megbird

All the best Keith and thank you for sharing a great journey. Keep going and keep positive. x

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