The 41-year-old Bible Hill resident has lived with kidney disease for many years and can trace early warning signs to her elementary school years.
“I was diagnosed in Grade 5 or 6 but I knew in Grade 2 something was wrong,” Langille said, recalling a school trip to the local hospital in which students were told, among other things, high blood pressure was a sign of kidney disease.
“I wouldn't let them take my blood pressure because I knew mine was high and I had many symptoms.”
A few years later Langille was diagnosed with a heredity type of kidney disease in which cysts destroy kidney tissue. Medication, limited physical activity and bed rest helped as she struggled through the disease until, at the age of 21, Langille received a kidney transplant in Halifax.
“It’s the 20th year since my transplant. I have three kidneys; they didn’t take mine out. It is not a cure; it’s a temporary treatment and it’s miraculous I’ve had it so long,” because not all transplants are successful, Langille said.
However, the road to recovery has been rocky. Three months after the transplant, Langille contracted pneumonia, she’s been “in and out” of the hospital many times throughout the years and she still goes to Halifax for checkups every six months.
Her ordeal ultimately led her to the Truro branch of the Kidney Foundation. Langille is consistently trying to educate people about kidney disease and will participate in the fourth annual kidney walk in Truro on Sept. 13. The event will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. at the Prince Street Sobeys, followed by the walk at 9 a.m., rain or shine. Langille is hoping the community will get involved.
“Everyone knows someone who is touched by it because it’s heredity, and it’s linked to cancer and diabetes and through alcohol addictions,” said Langille, adding funds from the walk will go to the Atlantic branch of the Kidney Foundation in Halifax for education, research and to support kidney disease patients.
There’s also a need to raise awareness about the foundation, said Langille.
“Come out, find out who we are, what we do, how we can help. We want to network with people and let them know they are not alone.”
Last year’s walk raised an estimated $7,000 and attracted about 60 people. This year’s walk will include refreshments and prizes that have been donated by local businesses.
To participate, register at www.kidney.ca/atlantic/walks or at the event or call Dorothy Roode at 902-893-8056.
Twitter: tdnMonique
Did you know?
- Kidney disease describes a variety of disease and disorders that affect the kidneys. Most diseases of the kidney attack the filtering units of the kidneys and damage their ability to eliminate wastes and excess fluids.
- The two most common causes are diabetes and high blood pressure. Others are glomerulonephritis (nephritis), polycystic kidney disease, urinary tract obstruction, reflux nephropathy, and drug- or medication-induced kidney problems. Bacteria such as E. coli and bacterial infections, such as strep throat, are (some) other culprits.
- Signs and symptoms that may indicate kidney disease include high blood pressure, puffiness of the eyes, hands and feet, bloody, cloudy or tea-coloured urine, excessive foaming of urine or frequent passing of urine during the night, fatigue, loss of appetite or weight, persistent generalized itching
* Information from http://www.kidney.ca
The 41-year-old Bible Hill resident has lived with kidney disease for many years and can trace early warning signs to her elementary school years.
“I was diagnosed in Grade 5 or 6 but I knew in Grade 2 something was wrong,” Langille said, recalling a school trip to the local hospital in which students were told, among other things, high blood pressure was a sign of kidney disease.
“I wouldn't let them take my blood pressure because I knew mine was high and I had many symptoms.”
A few years later Langille was diagnosed with a heredity type of kidney disease in which cysts destroy kidney tissue. Medication, limited physical activity and bed rest helped as she struggled through the disease until, at the age of 21, Langille received a kidney transplant in Halifax.
“It’s the 20th year since my transplant. I have three kidneys; they didn’t take mine out. It is not a cure; it’s a temporary treatment and it’s miraculous I’ve had it so long,” because not all transplants are successful, Langille said.
However, the road to recovery has been rocky. Three months after the transplant, Langille contracted pneumonia, she’s been “in and out” of the hospital many times throughout the years and she still goes to Halifax for checkups every six months.
Her ordeal ultimately led her to the Truro branch of the Kidney Foundation. Langille is consistently trying to educate people about kidney disease and will participate in the fourth annual kidney walk in Truro on Sept. 13. The event will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. at the Prince Street Sobeys, followed by the walk at 9 a.m., rain or shine. Langille is hoping the community will get involved.
“Everyone knows someone who is touched by it because it’s heredity, and it’s linked to cancer and diabetes and through alcohol addictions,” said Langille, adding funds from the walk will go to the Atlantic branch of the Kidney Foundation in Halifax for education, research and to support kidney disease patients.
There’s also a need to raise awareness about the foundation, said Langille.
“Come out, find out who we are, what we do, how we can help. We want to network with people and let them know they are not alone.”
Last year’s walk raised an estimated $7,000 and attracted about 60 people. This year’s walk will include refreshments and prizes that have been donated by local businesses.
To participate, register at www.kidney.ca/atlantic/walks or at the event or call Dorothy Roode at 902-893-8056.
Twitter: tdnMonique
Did you know?
- Kidney disease describes a variety of disease and disorders that affect the kidneys. Most diseases of the kidney attack the filtering units of the kidneys and damage their ability to eliminate wastes and excess fluids.
- The two most common causes are diabetes and high blood pressure. Others are glomerulonephritis (nephritis), polycystic kidney disease, urinary tract obstruction, reflux nephropathy, and drug- or medication-induced kidney problems. Bacteria such as E. coli and bacterial infections, such as strep throat, are (some) other culprits.
- Signs and symptoms that may indicate kidney disease include high blood pressure, puffiness of the eyes, hands and feet, bloody, cloudy or tea-coloured urine, excessive foaming of urine or frequent passing of urine during the night, fatigue, loss of appetite or weight, persistent generalized itching
* Information from http://www.kidney.ca
