Episode Details

When You Have a Transplant:

AKF Ambassador Christopher Bryant joins The Kidney Collective to talk about his kidney disease journey. He explains how he had been living with type 1 diabetes for 20 years without any knowledge that it could impact his kidneys until he was crashing into kidney failure. He describes the shock, fear and confusion he felt when he was suddenly starting dialysis. Fortunately, he says he had his family’s support and his own motto of “never give up” from his diabetes diagnosis to help him keep pushing to when he received a transplant four months later from his wife’s co-worker, Sophia. 

After 12 years with Sophia’s kidney, Chris describes the emotional roller coaster—from feeling better than he ever had in his adult life to learning his transplanted kidney was failing. They discuss how different the experience of dialysis and transplant is when you are prepared and educated, how Chris’s second kidney donor Mark’s family “turned a tragedy into a miracle” and the mixed feelings about getting a transplant when others on dialysis have not. The three also talk about Chris’s passion for kidney advocacy and addressing the health disparities that exist in the kidney community.  

More resources: 

• Mental health and kidney disease 
• Mental health and support after transplant 
• Kidney donation and transplant 
• Diabetes and kidney health 
• Join our Advocacy Network 
• Kidney Health for All™ 
• BK virus after kidney transplant 
• Life after transplant: Rejection prevention and healthy tips 
• Kidney transplant guides and resources