Kidney Chronicles

Big shout out to my new Rising Star fans! Jun Sarmenta, Crystal Cooper. Thank you for being part of my journey ❤️

A Birthday Wish for a Stranger Who Became a Blessing 🎂❤️

Happy Birthday to someone I may have never met in person, yet your kindness has touched my life in a way I’ll never forget.

You were a complete stranger when you sent me a donation to help with my medicine expenses. You didn't have to. You didn't even know me personally. But you chose to help.

That kindness means so much, especially on the days when the cost of staying well feels overwhelming.

On your birthday, my wish for you is simple: may the kindness you’ve given to others find its way back to you a hundred times over. May you be blessed with good health, peace, happiness, and people who will stand beside you when you need them most.

Thank you for reminding me that sometimes, help comes from the most unexpected people.

I may not be able to repay you, but I will always remember what you did for me. ❤️

Happy Birthday Judith Carlton! May God bless you abundantly, today and always. 🎂🙏❤️

© Frea Dela Peña KidneyChronicles

💭 LET'S IMAGINE THIS FOR A MOMENT…

If you had the chance to sit down with the President of your country, and they asked you:

“If I could grant you ONE wish for dialysis patients like you, what would it be?”

What would you ask for? ❤️

Would it be free dialysis for everyone? More affordable medicines? Better access to healthcare? Financial assistance for patients and families? More dialysis centers in underserved areas?

Or maybe something completely different.

And most importantly…

Why would you choose that wish?

Don't overthink it. I really want to hear from you. 🫶

👇 If that question were asked to YOU, what would your one wish be? And why?

Let's hear each other's voices. Maybe the wish of one patient is something thousands of us have been wishing for too. ❤️

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❤️ MY ANSWER

If I Could Ask the President for One Wish…

If I were given the chance to sit down with the President and ask for just one wish for dialysis patients like me, my wish would be simple.

I wish kidney transplantation could be more accessible, affordable, and easier to process for dialysis patients.

I wish the journey could begin with proper guidance from the very first step. The requirements, evaluations, laboratory tests, paperwork, referrals, and other processes can feel overwhelming, especially when you're already physically and emotionally exhausted from dialysis.

And for patients who have no financial means left, I wish kidney transplantation could be free or fully supported for those who truly cannot afford it.

For many of us, it's not that we don't want a transplant.

We simply can't afford the journey toward one.

Dialysis keeps us alive. But for some patients, a successful kidney transplant can offer the possibility of living with greater freedom and less dependence on a dialysis machine.

I know transplantation isn't something that can simply happen overnight. There are medical evaluations, risks, donor considerations, and many important steps that must be carefully followed.

But I wish the government could make the pathway faster, simpler, and financially reachable, especially for patients who have already spent years fighting just to stay alive.

My wish isn't only for myself.

It's for every dialysis patient who quietly dreams of one day waking up without having to ask:

“Can I still afford my next treatment?”

If I could ask for one thing, I'd ask for a system that gives patients like us not just more days to survive, but a real and affordable chance at a better life.

That's my one wish. ❤️

Now it's your turn.

If you were sitting across from the President and had ONE wish for dialysis patients, what would you ask for? And why?

👇 Tell me in the comments. I'd genuinely love to hear your answer.

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⚠️ A LITTLE REMINDER BEFORE YOU COMMENT

Please keep your answers focused on the question. This is a space for dialysis patients and their supporters to share their wishes, experiences, and hopes.

Comments that are inappropriate, disrespectful, or unrelated to the question may be deleted.

I respect everyone's political views and personal beliefs. ❤️
But please respect others who may have different opinions, priorities, or beliefs from yours.

You don't have to agree with someone's answer to respect their right to share it.

Let's keep this conversation respectful, meaningful, and focused on what matters to us as dialysis patients. 🫶

© Kidney Chronicles

THE ROLE OF HEMOGLOBIN IN EVERY DIALYSIS PATIENT

If you're on dialysis, you've probably seen Hb or Hgb on your laboratory results.

You might look at the number and think, “Okay… is that good or bad?”

Hemoglobin is actually one of the important numbers your kidney team watches because it helps show whether you're anemic and whether your blood is carrying enough oxygen to your body.

🩸 WHAT IS HEMOGLOBIN?

Hemoglobin is a protein found inside your red blood cells.

Think of your red blood cells as little delivery vehicles, and hemoglobin is what carries oxygen from your lungs to your muscles, heart, brain and other organs.

When hemoglobin is too low, less oxygen can be delivered to your body.

That can leave you feeling:

Tired. Weak. Dizzy. Short of breath.

Some people may also experience headaches, a fast heartbeat, difficulty concentrating or looking unusually pale.

🫘 WHY IS LOW HEMOGLOBIN SO COMMON IN DIALYSIS?

Healthy kidneys produce a hormone called erythropoietin, or EPO.

EPO tells your bone marrow:

“Make more red blood cells.”

When the kidneys are severely damaged, they can't produce enough EPO. So the body may produce fewer red blood cells, leading to anemia.

Dialysis patients can also lose iron and small amounts of blood through dialysis treatments, blood testing, vascular access problems and other causes. Iron is important because your body needs it to make hemoglobin.

That's why anemia in dialysis isn't simply a matter of “eat more iron.”

There can be several reasons behind a low hemoglobin level.

🩺 WHAT DOES YOUR DIALYSIS TEAM CHECK?

Hemoglobin is usually looked at together with other laboratory results.

Your healthcare team may check:

Hemoglobin or Hb
Shows the amount of hemoglobin in your blood.

Hematocrit or Hct
Shows the proportion of your blood made up of red blood cells.

Ferritin
Helps show your stored iron.

TSAT
Helps show how much iron is available for your body to use.

Your doctor may also look at vitamin B12, folate, inflammation, blood loss and other possible causes when anemia isn't responding as expected.

💉 WHY DO SOME DIALYSIS PATIENTS RECEIVE EPO OR ESA?

You may have heard dialysis patients talk about their EPO shot.

EPO medications are part of a group called erythropoiesis stimulating agents, or ESAs.

They act somewhat like the EPO hormone that healthy kidneys normally produce. Their purpose is to stimulate the bone marrow to make more red blood cells.

But here's something important:

EPO isn't simply given to make the hemoglobin number as high as possible.

Doctors consider the patient's overall condition, iron status, symptoms and other risks before deciding whether to start or adjust treatment.

The 2026 KDIGO anemia guideline recommends correcting treatable causes, such as iron deficiency, before starting an ESA when appropriate. For adults receiving ESA therapy, the recommended Hb target is below 11.5 g/dL, with the exact goal individualized for the patient.

⚠️ HIGHER HEMOGLOBIN IS NOT ALWAYS BETTER

This is something every dialysis patient should understand.

It can be tempting to think:

“If low Hb makes me tired, then I should make it as high as possible.”

Not necessarily.

Using ESA treatment to push hemoglobin too high can increase the risk of problems such as high blood pressure, stroke and blood vessel related complications.

That's why anemia treatment is about finding a safe, individualized level, not chasing the highest possible number.

❤️ WHY DOES HEMOGLOBIN MATTER TO YOUR HEART?

Your heart has to work harder when your body's tissues aren't receiving enough oxygen.

Anemia can therefore put additional strain on the cardiovascular system, particularly when it's significant or persistent.

This is one reason anemia management is an important part of kidney and dialysis care, rather than something that should simply be ignored as “normal because I'm on dialysis.”

🧠 SO WHAT SHOULD A DIALYSIS PATIENT REMEMBER?

Don't look at your hemoglobin number by itself.

A low Hb doesn't automatically mean you need an EPO injection.

A higher Hb doesn't automatically mean everything is perfect either.

Your nephrologist may need to look at your Hb trend, iron studies, blood loss, inflammation, nutrition, symptoms and response to treatment before making a decision.

And please don't start iron tablets, vitamins or other anemia treatments on your own. Too much iron can also cause problems, and the right treatment depends on what's actually causing your anemia.

So the next time your laboratory results come out, don't just ask:

How much hemoglobin do I have now?
(“Ano ang hemoglobin ko?”)

Also ask:
“Why did it go down?”
“Are my iron stores okay?”
“What is my target Hb?”
“Do I need EPO or iron treatment?”
(“Bakit bumaba?”
“Okay ba ang iron stores ko?”
“Ano ang target Hb ko?”
“Kailangan ba ng EPO or iron treatment?”)

Those questions can help you understand what's happening inside your body.

Because as dialysis patients, we're not just watching numbers.

We're watching the numbers that tell the story of what's happening inside us. 🩸❤️

📚 SOURCES AND FURTHER READING

National Kidney and Transplant Institute (NKTI), Philippines

National Kidney Foundation – Anemia in Chronic Kidney Disease

KDIGO 2026 Clinical Practice Guideline for Anemia in CKD

DaVita Kidney Care – Anemia and Chronic Kidney Disease

DaVita – Understanding Your Lab Work

Disclaimer: This article is for kidney health education and general information only. Hemoglobin targets and anemia treatment are different for every patient. Don't change EPO, iron, vitamins or other medications based on this article alone. Always discuss your laboratory results and treatment plan with your nephrologist and dialysis healthcare team.

© Kidney Chronicles

🌟 THANK YOU, TOP FAN! 🌟

Your likes, comments, shares, and constant support mean so much to KidneyChronicles. ❤️

Thank you for being here, for listening, and for helping this little community grow. Every interaction reminds me that these stories are reaching someone who needs them.

Thank you for being part of the KidneyChronicles family! 🫶💙

© Kidney Chronicles

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎 W.C. Higgins, Liza Perez, Sol C. Del Mundo, Gemma Ramos Macaraig, Mel Frances Dela Peña, Pragnesh Jani, Missionary Jan Burger II, Rosalie Bautista, Misty ZAmarron

Drop a comment to welcome them to our community,

A heartfelt welcome to every new follower. ❤️
Thank you for being part of KidneyChronicles. Whether you're a dialysis patient, caregiver, healthcare worker, family member, or simply someone who cares, you're welcome here.

Let’s share stories, learn together, and remind each other that no one has to face the kidney journey alone. 🩷💙

Welcome to the KidneyChronicles family! 🫶

© KidneyChronicles
Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard!
Zaira Hernandez, Bob Bentz, Karen Canlas Nacario, Evelyn Talha, Lei Lani, SweetLife Wd Sugar, Tanini Pacifico Jaladoni, Shey Miranda, Cristina Marie Batan, Mayet Orong Garcia, Rian Michelle Barellano, Joseph Avenido, Rubie Raine, Marilou P Fulgar, Albert Tolentino Areta, Bebot Villareal, Joey Gamboa Macatangay, Geraldine Baguio Caballero, Bhen Cambronero, Dave Magno, Jayson Mejos Ecaldre, Anellie Delgado - Talakay, Natalie Cusi Tiemsim, Cherry Pearl Antao, Jing Santos Vicente, Vicky Ilagan, Elrose Nel, Marinel Angcaya Dimailig, Ariel Jove, Margie Lavilla Parcon, Alex Boal, Cristina Arellano Batistil, Have Year Gel, Jango Makherana, Lawrence S. Manimtim, Alex Manzo, Rashen Consolacion, Joan Teves, Myruel Justin Cruz, Joshna Here, Ricky Cabote, Yzanami Yesha, Realyn Gutierrez - Sundby, Tanacio Tilado Jemimah, Lo**ta Gajo Zamora, Aminath Nuzha, Moma Jho VLog, Nohc Orac, Viance Siobel, Jen Yape

“What’s the hardest part about making friends in dialysis that people outside the dialysis world will never understand?” ❤️

Sometimes, I don’t want to get too close or become friends with my fellow dialysis patients.

Not because I don’t care.
It’s because I know how painful it is when one day, they’re suddenly gone.

You see them three times a week. You talk, laugh, share stories, complain about the long treatment, encourage each other, and slowly, without realizing it, they become part of your life.

Then one day, you come for your next treatment and their chair is empty.

No goodbye.
No warning.
No chance to say, “See you next session.”

They just disappear from your routine, and you’re left wondering what happened.

That’s one of the hardest parts of dialysis. You don’t just fear the needles, the machine, or the five hours in the chair.

Sometimes, you’re afraid of getting attached.

Because every friendship you make in the dialysis unit comes with a quiet fear…

“What if one day, I come in and you’re no longer there?”

So sometimes, I keep my distance.

Not because I don’t want friends.

But because I’m tired of losing people I’ve grown to love.

And maybe that’s something only another dialysis patient can truly understand.

© Kidney Chronicles

When Your Dialysis Chairmate Is Suddenly Gone

One of the saddest parts of dialysis isn’t always the treatment itself.

Sometimes, it’s coming back for your next session and realizing that the person who used to sit beside you isn’t there anymore.

The person you saw three times a week for months or even years. The one you talked to while waiting for treatment to start. The one you laughed with, shared stories with, and sometimes simply sat beside in silence.

You witnessed each other’s good days and bad days. The laughter. The exhaustion. The tears. The little victories. The disappointments. The struggles outside the dialysis center that somehow became easier to carry because someone understood.

Then one day, their chair is empty.

And you realize how deeply attached you had become to someone who was once simply your dialysis chairmate.

Dialysis creates friendships in a strange way. We meet because of illness, but along the way, we become part of each other’s lives.

So when someone is no longer there, you feel the emptiness.

You continue your treatment. You continue fighting.

But you remember them.

And sometimes, that empty chair says more than words ever could.

To every dialysis patient who has lost a treatment companion: I hope you know that the memories you shared mattered. And the person beside you may be gone from that chair, but they’ll never be forgotten. ❤️

© Kidney Chronicles


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