In this powerful episode of Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast, Dee Moore speaks with Kemeil McCalla, a businessman, barber, gospel bass player, husband and father from Wolverhampton, England.
Kemeil shares his remarkable Kidney Warrior story, from first being told in 2002 that his kidneys were failing to spending years in denial about his diagnosis. Believing he felt well and struggling to understand how kidney disease could affect him, Kemeil stopped attending follow-up appointments and routine blood tests, unaware that his kidney function was continuing to ...
In this powerful episode of Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast, Dee Moore speaks with Kemeil McCalla, a businessman, barber, gospel bass player, husband and father from Wolverhampton, England.
Kemeil shares his remarkable Kidney Warrior story, from first being told in 2002 that his kidneys were failing to spending years in denial about his diagnosis. Believing he felt well and struggling to understand how kidney disease could affect him, Kemeil stopped attending follow-up appointments and routine blood tests, unaware that his kidney function was continuing to decline.
Everything changed in 2020 when symptoms including severe fatigue, headaches, muscle cramps and weakness became impossible to ignore. After arranging a blood test, Kemeil received devastating news: his kidneys had deteriorated so severely that he should already have been on dialysis. Within days, his kidney function fell to just 2%, resulting in an emergency “crash landing” onto dialysis.
In this honest and emotional conversation, Kemeil discusses:
• The shock of being diagnosed with kidney disease
• Why he struggled to accept his diagnosis for many years
• The dangers of missing follow-up appointments and blood tests
• Experiencing kidney failure and emergency dialysis treatment
• Living through the COVID-19 pandemic while starting dialysis
• The physical and emotional impact of haemodialysis
• Learning to adapt to life with kidney disease
• The importance of family support, friendship and community
• Finding strength through faith during life’s most difficult moments
• Adjusting to peritoneal dialysis and life after a crash landing onto dialysis
• The power of hope, resilience and a positive mindset
Kemeil’s story is a powerful reminder of the importance of listening to your body, attending regular medical appointments, and seeking support when living with chronic kidney disease (CKD). His journey highlights both the challenges of kidney failure and the incredible resilience that can emerge during life’s toughest battles.
Whether you are living with kidney disease, supporting a loved one, working in healthcare, or simply looking for an inspiring story of courage and perseverance, this episode offers valuable insights, encouragement and hope.
🎧 Listen now and discover how Kemeil transformed fear and uncertainty into faith, strength and determination.
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Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed by Guests on this podcast are those of the Guest and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Dee Moore or Kidney Care UK. Any content provided by our Guests are of their opinion, and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organisation, company, individual or anyone or anything.
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