PSPINC CEO Kenichi Uchikura's Blog

I visited Virginia Mason Hospital for the first time since being discharged. As soon as I arrived, I went to the lab for blood and urine tests, then waited about 30 minutes for my doctor's appointment. The first thing the doctor said to me was, "Congratulations on your new kidney!" I’m still in recovery and haven’t fully grasped the feeling of celebration yet, but it’s definitely something to be grateful for. My kidney is working well—perhaps too well, as I keep running to the bathroom! But even that makes me happy. I can feel excess fluids leaving my body, and my hands even seem a bit wrinkled. But that’s a good thing.

 

I had been on dialysis for nearly three years, waiting for this day to come. It was impossible to know when it would happen, but as soon as I was told, the very next day, I was in surgery. Because of this, I had to cancel my business trips to Japan in February and April. It was a big expense, but that doesn’t bother me at all.

 

There are many people like me who were once told they were prediabetic, later developed diabetes, and eventually suffered kidney failure, requiring dialysis and, ultimately, a transplant. Looking back, if I had put in even one-tenth of the effort when I was first diagnosed as prediabetic, I might not have ended up here. Many people today are either prediabetic or have mild diabetes. People often associate diabetes with the risk of limb amputation, but the truly frightening part is how it silently damages vital organs like the kidneys. I was lucky to be given a second chance through a kidney transplant, but this is not something everyone gets.

 

I am not a health expert, but in a way, I might be an expert in chronic illness. I have experienced diabetes, kidney disease, dialysis, and now a kidney transplant. I sincerely hope that none of you ever have to go through the same thing. That’s why, if there is anything you can do to prevent it, please do. If you can reduce your alcohol intake even slightly or cut back on smoking, please do so. Your future self will thank you.

 

I never drank alcohol, and I didn’t eat many sweets, yet I still developed diabetes. It was likely due to consuming too many carbohydrates. I truly wish you all good health. Please take care of yourselves. And if you ever want to hear from a health expert, feel free to reach out anytime.