IT wasn’t until Marilyn Edwards had children of her own that she began to think of the consequences a hereditary kidney disease could have on her life.
After being diagnosed with polycystic kidneys when she was in her 20s, the Melton resident knew it would be only a matter of time before she would need to undergo a transplant.
“After I gave birth to my two children I began to realise the seriousness of the condition,” she said.
“I had my children tested straightaway so they would be aware of the condition from a young age and be conscious of making healthy lifestyle choices.”
Her youngest son was diagnosed with the condition.
Ms Edwards, 61, was on dialysis for four years before she was given a kidney transplant three months ago.
She knew all too well what life on dialysis was like; she had watched her mother go through the same routine many years earlier.
“Dialysis just becomes a part of your weekly ritual. It’s an extremely emotional time because you know you have to be hooked up to this machine every second day to keep on living.”
Ms Edwards was among 150 people who attended a free forum on kidney health in Sunshine last week. The event sought to highlight the links between kidney disease and other conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
Ms Edwards said even though kidney disease was a widespread condition, many people didn’t understand how serious it was. “When you see the amount of people in hospital hooked up to dialysis to live, it’s mind-boggling,” she said.
“Melton alone has 48 patients on dialysis, and then you consider the number of units in Victoria.”
According to the National Kidney Foundation, leading causes of kidney disease include diabetes and high blood pressure.
The rate of people with diabetes in Brimbank continues to soar, increasing 212.5 per cent from 2001-11.
Brimbank is Melbourne’s diabetes hot spot, with 11,793 residents living with the condition, Diabetes Australia-Victoria figures show.
About 15 new cases are diagnosed in the area each week.
For more information on kidney health, visit kidney.org.au
