Meet My Dad, Frank.
My Dad was diagnosed with Alport syndrome, a rare genetic disease that progressively damages the function of his kidneys until they ultimately fail.
The disease also causes hearing loss and vision problems, both things that my dad has along with countless other symptoms such as major swelling of the body, memory loss, chronic fatigue, suppressed immune system etc. all caused by his failed kidneys.
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Since both my Dad's kidneys have failed, he is in need of a kidney transplant to save his life, and allow him to partake in everyday life activities again. Unfortunately, since his disease is genetic, none of his family members are able to donate their own kidney. My mom attempted to be a donor for my dad, but unfortunately was not eligible to donate due to her own health issues.
My Dad is the best person I know on earth, and if you live in the Ottawa area and have been lucky enough to have met him, you may also know my Dad as:
-That crazy italian man you know
-The loudest guy in the room (partly because he's half deaf, but mostly because he's Italian)
-OR the guy who will talk your ear off (because he doesn't stop talking- mostly because he's Italian)
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and I mean he sleeps all the time...
My Dad also has to go to dialysis every Monday, Wednesday and Friday for 4 hours at a time. This treatment filters out all the harmful toxins in his body that his kidneys can no longer do. Without dialysis, my dad wouldn't even be able to survive a week. We are hoping to soon get my dad on a nightly dialysis treatment, although because of a major infection he received, we are unsure if that is possible.
Prior to undergoing dialysis treatment, my dad had a large hospital scare that restricted him from eating for 4 days. The photo to the right was his first time eating what he *thought* tasted like a steak sandwich. It was actually just chicken salad!!
With my Dad's disease, his kidneys are not able to produce enough of a hormone called epoetin, which causes him to have chronic fatigue and sleep all the time. This limits his ability to participate in everyday life activities and spend time with family.
Welcome home parties after long hospital visits just make us all more appreciative for my Dad and all that he does for our family, despite his illness. Our love for him is endless, and it would mean the world to us for him to have his health back.
See below for a further look into my Dad's life with kidney-disease
