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Submitted by PatientsEngage on 15 October 2016

Mdm Zainon's life took an unexpected turn after a hit and run accident in Malaysia. She is now on daily peritoneal dialysis and her faith keeps her going through the difficult phases. Read on here:  

We all imagine that when the time comes we age gracefully and naturally, surrounded by the warm and smiling faces of our children and grandchildren. We envision that life would be simpler, slower – better.

So what do you do when you are aged and forced to accept that you are now a feeble burden to the family you fought to support in your youth, and your body is no longer functioning as it should? You pray.

Pandemonium

In year 2009, Mdm Zainon’s life was thrown into pandemonium when she fell victim to a hit-and-run incident in Malaysia. The accident occurred while she was on her way back from the mosque, and it left the right side of her body severely injured.

She spent the next 1.5 months recuperating in the hospital, gritting her teeth through the many rehabilitation sessions and finding strength through prayer. Still, this merciless deal from fate has yet to run its course.

After the accident, it was discovered that her blood pressure was exceptionally high and she was showing symptoms of kidney failure such as swollen legs and a decrease in urine output. In 2011, her doctors broached the subject of dialysis as they found that one of her kidneys had already failed and the other was failing. Mdm Zainon refused, hoping for a miracle.

Two years later during the month of Ramadan, Mdm Zainon suffered from a heart attack. “I could feel it, you know, like my lungs were full of water. I couldn't breathe,” she recounted. At the hospital, the  doctors informed her that her condition was now critical and she needed to start dialysis at once should she want to live.

It took all but 15 days for all the water and toxic waste build-up to be cleared from her system and for her to feel comparatively better. Mdm Zainon, now 65, has since been on Peritoneal Dialysis for about two years, and is managing the daily dialysis herself.

However, she is finding it increasingly challenging to manage the dialysis herself as it involves the carrying of bags of solution that can add up to about 5 litres. It has been especially difficult of late after her heart bypass operation in February this year, which had significantly weakened her physical state.

There was a unmistakable sense of desolation in her voice, as she shared how anguished she feels having to go through these processes alone without help from her family and at her lack of control over her own body.

Seeking Solace

In these moments of helplessness, she turns to religion to ask for strength to overcome these worldly hurdles. “I ask God to help me and I pray that I can be released of my worries, and somehow, I find the strength to persevere” she said.

Religion has been her only support and relief through these life-changing events.

Despite being on dialysis, she fasted last Ramadan, taking her medication only after breaking fast – much to the dismay of her doctors. Dialysis itself was not an issue as she is on Automated Peritoneal Dialysis (APD), where the exchanges are performed by a machine in the night while the patient is asleep.

She tried fasting for 3 days this Ramadan, but had to give up as her body was unable to take it at its current state. Although she feels sorry that she is unable to fast this year – a sacrifice which she takes much pride in – she understands that according to her religion, sick persons can be exempted from fasting.

In spite of all the difficulties and pain in her silver years, it is her faith in God and religion that keeps her going every day. It is her one and only solace.

About Peritoneal dialysis

Peritoneal dialysis is a form of dialysis that occurs inside the body. Dialysis solution will flow into the peritoneal (abdominal) cavity through a silastic catheter (a small soft tube). The peritoneal membrane (petrionuem) acts as a filter. Waste products and excess water pass from the body through the membrane into the dialysis solution. When the filtering process is completed, the waste filled solution is to be drained from the peritoneal cavity into a bag and is then discarded. Fresh dialysis solution is then drained into the abdominal cavity through the catheter again.

Mdm Zainon is one of many patients at KDF battling against their illness. The little that we can do for them is to ensure that their dialysis fees remain affordable and treatment is not out of reach. If you would like to contribute to our cause, you may make a donation via www.kdf.org.sg or https://www.giving.sg/kidney-dialysis-foundation. All donations are entitled to 2.5x tax deduction.