Kidney Matters - Issue 9 Summer 2020

More documents

Recommendations

Info

30Fit-mums class and training for the2020 London MarathonKevin Wilkie secured one of our placesin this year’s London Marathon and, atthe time of going to press, had raisedan extremely impressive £1,800 forKidney Care UK. Running 26.2 miles isan incredible feat for anyone, but givenit is only 18 months since Kevin’s kidneytransplant, we think this is amazing!Thanks to Kevin and everyone whosponsored him.I think I’m bloody lucky to have had my transplant, notonly because it set me free from dialysis and mademe feel well again, but because it has given a secondchance at the beautiful mess we call life.However, being given a second chance and taking itare two completely different things. I spent the fewmonths post-transplant worrying about the possibilityof rejection. But those few months worrying slowlyturned into a year and, on checking I was surprised todiscover that I was actually feeling great! My hospitalresults were good and, as the fear slowly subsided, mylife began to get back into a rhythm of work and homelife. I also realised that carrying that inner fear meantI had been neglecting my own physical and mentalwellbeing; holding back on making decisions in casethose fears were realised. But that’s not living, it’s justexisting and so I had a stern word with myself. It wastime to get up, get moving and get back some focus onthe things that matter.“In the last year, I’ve doneeverything from driving aHusky’s sled, to working withkids in schools talking aboutentrepreneurship, and evendoing a bit of modelling”carry an element of doubt with them. We all know itcan turn on a sixpence. But I truly believe the bestway to overcome this shadow is to take a pragmaticapproach, accept what’s gone before and takeresponsibility for change.So what am I doing with all this new-foundpragmatism? I’ve simply started saying yes to morethings and this has opened doors to so many moreopportunities and experiences. In the last year, I’vedone everything from driving a Husky’s sled to workingwith kids in schools talking about entrepreneurshipand even doing a bit of modelling! Yes, modelling andbelieve me I’m no oil painting. But by far the bestthing I’ve stumbled into is a place running the LondonMarathon on the Kidney Care UK team.I’m a complete running novice and up until midwaythrough last year hadn’t really done any intenseexercise at all. I’m not a great runner but what I lackin skill I make up for in determination. I joined a reallyinclusive running club called Fit-mums and Friendswho have worked with me from mile one to get mefitter and stronger in time for the big day. But I’ve alsomet so many people, so many new friends who are sosupportive, all keen to help me reach my goal. I reckonthat the training and the companionship might actuallybe saving my life. The facts speak for themselves. Inmy doctor’s words, “Whatever you are doing, keepdoing it.” Physically my blood pressure is back withinnormal range, my blood chemistry results are greatand my mental health is shaping up well too. Runningis getting me out and talking to people. The runs Ido alone have given me the head space to fight mydemons, and test myself and my physical strength waybeyond anything I thought I was capable of.I’ve decided that if the worst was to happen, I wantedmy family to remember good times and achievementstogether and not my worries, dialysis and feelingconstantly unwell. I think all transplanted patientsPhotographs by Iain Poole at www.iainpoole.comkidneycareuk.org
31Today I feel amazing, and that’s down to saying yes andopening up my life up to new possibilities, completelyembracing this second chance I’ve been given andfinding the strength to park the fears that somethingmight go wrong.Nobody, least of all me, could ever have imagined justa few years ago that I could or would ever run 26.2miles. But London Marathon, I’m ready and I’m comingto get you!Article by Kevin WilkieMessage from the editorWe now know that the London Marathonhas been rescheduled to take place onon 4 October 2020, due to the need tocontain the spread of the Coronavirus. Toall the competitors, we know how muchhard work goes into training for this event.We salute you!Issue 9 | Summer 2020
Page 1 and 2: Summer 2020Issue 09Drag queensand d
Page 3 and 4: 3Welcome toKidney MattersCoronaviru
Page 5 and 6: 5And for the budding chefs, now rea
Page 7 and 8: 7So, does a high BMI number really
Page 9 and 10: 9were set at a pace I could realist
Page 11 and 12: LEARN MORE11Survivors: Life Unfilte
Page 13 and 14: 13“If someone like myself, who le
Page 15 and 16: 15step is to check that you are tak
Page 17 and 18: LEARN MORE17the first week of the t
Page 19 and 20: 19Cook along with Chef Ripley onlin
Page 21 and 22: 21Through these three elements - qu
Page 23 and 24: 23the day, began to get to me. One
Page 25 and 26: Members of the Kidney Care UK teamr
Page 27 and 28: LEARN MORE27Kidney Matters helps us
Page 29: 29It’s never too late...When 83 y
Page 33 and 34: 33We have never met anyone outside
Page 35 and 36: 06 35Become a#KidneyWarriorChalleng
Page 37 and 38: Us enjoying a nice cup of tea37
Page 39 and 40: Sign up foryour freecopyWhether you

Kidney Matters - Issue 9 Summer 2020

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?