Single mum continues to battle kidney failure after 20 years

High blood pressure in her 30s caused her kidneys to fail and it got worse during her fourth pregnancy.

The 59-year-old said that being disciplined with food and medicine, not skipping haemodialysis sessions and mental strength are crucial to manage the condition.

Haemodialysis is needed to remove waste and excess fluid from the blood, hence Noraziah, who stays in Klang, goes for the four-hour procedure every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

"After treatment I usually feel tired, weak and have a headache, which affects my emotions. But I try to control it by getting enough rest.

"God is testing me and I accept that. If there is a treatment that will help me continue living, I will try it. InsyaAllah," said Noraziah who has four sons, but her eldest has passed away.

She said that although her kidney failure which was diagnosed in November 2001 has made things difficult, it hasn't stopped her from carrying out her responsibilities as a mum and doing things like the household chores.

She credited her children, mum and siblings for keeping her spirits up, and the doctors and specialists for helping to improve her well-being.

Nephrologist and Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) lecturer, Dr Nor Fadhlina Zakaria, said dialysis patients could continue to live 10 to 15 years.

"With technological innovation in medicine and good patient self-management, it's not impossible for them to live more than 20 years," she said, while adding that it comes down to diet, taking medicine, going on dialysis and other factors.

The job of the kidneys is to remove toxic waste (e.g. urea), but people suffering from chronic kidney failure have to undergo dialysis.

"They also have uncontrolled high blood pressure and other problems. Dialysis can help balance the level of electrolytes in the body.

"With treatment, dialysis patients can lead a normal life and feel healthier," said Dr Nor Fadhlina.