Кристина Кенни: честность и открытость помогают жить с болезнью почек

'We've never kept secrets': Christina Kenny says honesty is best policy when living with kidney disease Keeping open dialogue with family, friends pays; gearing up again for Sault Ste. Marie's annual Kidney Walk Article content Kidney disease talk was never taboo in Christina Kenny’s home growing up. In fact, healthy dialogue early on helped arm her for the day she’d be diagnosed, the life she’d lead and how she would raise her own family. Recommended Videos Kenny, 48, comes from a long line of those with chronic kidney disease – four or five generations, in fact – but, for her, the ailment has yielded far fewer complications and limitations than those her mother, grandmother and great-grandfather, endured. Chalk this up to a combination of candour and scientific breakthroughs that have made life for those living with kidney disease much more pleasant, productive and active. “My mother, at my age, had already had a transplant, but because of all the extra research and medications that I’ve been given, I’m not even on dialysis yet,” Kenny told The Sault Star this week in a phone interview. For example, the Sault Ste. Marie resident has undergone sclerotherapy, a minimally invasive procedure that drains large fluid-filled renal or polycystic cysts and destroys their inner lining, so they don’t refill. “So, I’ve done a lot of extra things that have kind of helped my disease and made my life a little more functional than my mother had to go through and my grandmother,” Kenny said. All in the Family Kenny was 21 when she was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease, the same disorder that has affected multiple generations of her family. This early discovery allowed her to “change my life earlier.” “I didn’t find out I was sick late and then had to try to fix things … I started very young,” Kenny said. Kenny’s mother served as a superior role model when it came to not letting kidney disease dampen body and soul. “She lived a healthy life,” Kenny added. “So, it was something she just instilled in us, and it actually didn’t make the transition that hard. And watching her go through this and how well she did, it gave you the mentality to stay positive and look on the bright side of things.” Indeed. A good attitude is something the veteran educator and married mother of two is determined to help instill in her own family. In fact, it’s all hands on deck when it comes to promoting health. Kenny said her husband, Travis, works “really hard” to maintain her diet. The couple also confers with a dietitian. “Once I get my blood work done, we really follow what my numbers are, and we modify our diet,” Kenny said. “Just staying healthy and fit and staying active had a huge impact. It really hasn’t affected my life and career because I have knowledge of the disease. So, because I got so educated and with the help of my doctors, I’ve been able to try different treatments that have been successful.” As it was in her home growing up, candour is key when discussing personal health issues with daughter Brooke, 17, and son Braedon, 15. Especially given genetics. “We’ve never kept secrets about it,” Kenny said. “So, they know a lot about it.” Kidney Walk brings out kin Both immediate and extended families join annually to take up the cause, participating as a team in the Kidney Walk; this year’s Sault Ste. Marie event is slated for Sept. 27 at Roberta Bondar Pavilion. Kenny said she has been involved with the event as “long as I can remember,” and both her mother and grandmother were affiliated with the Kidney Foundation, which hosts the fundraiser. “So, it’s just been generational,” said Kenny, adding that the team effort is in honour of her grandmother, Stella. Kenny’s mother, Nicolina Balmos, 70, who had a transplant 20 years ago and “is still doing fantastic,” remains an avid teammate. Kenny also gets her Holy Family Catholic School students into the act. To prepare for National Kidney Month in March, some of her charges sell candy grams the previous month in support of the Kidney Foundation. A foundation staffer also speaks to students. “Through that we’ve learned that several of our family members within our school system are affected by kidney disease,” Kenny said. “So, because of that, we’ve had a lot of kids and family members get on board and want to be part of this issue and do what they can to help.” Partaking in the walk and watching Kenny in full stride carrying out daily teaching duties serve as sound life lessons. “I think because when kids see me and I don’t look sick and I’m still doing things and I’m really active, it’s like you’re not alone,” she said. “(At the Kidney Walk) they see how many other people are out there and that we’re still living really good lives. There’s a lot more education out there.” Walk revenue helps the Kidney Foundation advance research and deliver peer support while also providing information through educational materials, webinars and websites, such as the Kidney Community Kitchen. Over the past three years, Kidney Walk participants across Ontario have raised more than $1 million annually. “The Kidney Walk is so much more than a fundraiser,” said Mary-Pat Shaw, president of The Kidney Foundation’s Ontario Branch. “It’s an opportunity for people living with kidney disease, their families, caregivers, donors, transplant recipients and healthcare professionals to come together. The sense of community and connection experienced at the events is truly inspiring.” For more information, or to register or donate, visit www.kidneywalk.ca. Registration for the Sault event begins at 9 a.m. Start time is 10 a.m. With a Little Help From My Friends More than four million Canadians are affected by kidney disease, a serious chronic condition that often progresses with few symptoms until later stages. The Kidney Foundation says that for those living with organ failure, treatments can require life-sustaining dialysis several times a week or a kidney transplant. The impact of kidney disease extends beyond physical health. Many individuals and families also face significant emotional and financial challenges. That’s where local and regional support serves a significant role; Kenny said there is ample help available, into which she and her family have often tapped. On the medical front, technology allows doctors here to consult more seamlessly with Toronto specialists, resulting in fewer out-of-town patient trips. “So, it’s nice,” Kenny said. “I can go to their office. I can do online teleconferences.” For emotional support and education, the local Kidney Foundation offers peer groups as well as short-term financial assistance for transplant recipients. Diet and lifestyle information is also readily available. “They let you know what you need to do and they give you all these pamphlets and brochures,” Kenny said. “It really helps you to maintain your kidney health.” A recent pub event saw a “whole bunch of people in town” with various forms of kidney disease mix and mingle. “So, we don’t have the same type of disease, but it still affects us in very similar ways,” Kenny said. “You can call them anytime, and I find that they’re always open to tell you about their story. If you’re down, you can give them a call.” Sault Area Hospital also teams people up. “If they’d like to speak, you can meet with them and see what they went through with treatment,” Kenny said. “It’s nice to get it out there. I like for people to know they’re not alone. There’s lots of people and if you see other people going through it, then maybe you’re not as shy to go get help or talk to someone about it. “So, if this can help anyone, it makes me really happy.” On X: @JeffreyOugler