Visiting A Kidney Patient

On my personal thought about kidney failure, I realised that people could get this illness if they do not take good care of their health. Before he contracted this ailment,I realised that Mr Khairul led an active lifestyle. Like other males, he loves playing soccer and sepak takraw. He also plays for his company in the Corporation League. He has also won many medals and trophies in many soccer competitions.

While he was telling us about his personal recounts, I was observing his facial expressions. I can tell that he was quite sad. Normal renal patients need to go for dialysis three times a week but as his conditions was very bad, he needs to go for dialysis everyday. His condition has worsened so much that if he skipped a couple of dialysis, his own life would be in danger.

When I took my first step into Mr Khairul Anwar's home, I had the impression that his house would be like a typical low incomed family, but strangely at the same time, I was thinking of the opposite. I was quite nervous when I was at his doorstep because it was the first time our class went for a visit to "interview" someone who had kidney failure, and was featured in the newspaper. 

We came across an article in the Straits Times which was first featured Mr. Khairul's predicament. In the article, we  are told that Mr Khairul whose blood type is O+, will be getting a kidney from his wife,Mdm Radiyah, whose blood type is A+. In standard kidney transplants, both donor and recipient must have the same blood type. The procedure, known as the ABO incompatible kidney transplant, allows for a kidney to be accepted by the recipient even when blood types do not match. Normal kidney transplants have a 98% of success rate. But in ABO incompatible transplants, its success rate is 85 to 90%. Given a choice, not many patients may want to take the risk.

 What I felt during the interview, I felt that we should really be prepared to 'interview' him.

When we were there, there were quite a few times when there were total silence in the hall until Madam Radiyah spoke or someone asked Mr Khairul a question. I really felt that we should somehow prepare some questions for Mr.Khairul so as to make the visit a meaningful one. I pitied Mr.Khairul because from the look of his face, he seemed to be thinking quite hard on what to say to us.

His wife was also around to assist him and join in with our conversation. Although we have never met before and were total strangers, Mr Khairul and Mdm Radiyah were very open-minded and were willing to share their experiences and what they were going through with us.

I think Mr Khairul and Mdm Radiyah are very strong-willed, caring but still worried about their future. Although they faced many challenges and are going through very hard times, they still have the courage to continue trying to do their best to hold their family together. This is a rare family spirit that is missing from families in modern states. His children were badly affected by his children. His eldest child, who should be in Polytechnic right now, had to stop her studies and work to support their family as her mother is the sole breadwinner.

This visit has opened my eyes to other people's experience. I will never forget this meaningful trip.

This reflection is done by Muhd Syazwan of class 3E. :)
Thank you!