Woman, 42, undergoes 78 operations to battle life-threatening disease
01.04.2024 - 20:03
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A woman with stage five chronic kidney failure has launched a campaign to increase awareness of the devastating condition. Clare Griffin, 42, was first diagnosed with kidney failure at 12 and has since undergone 78 operations.
Clare, who lives a few miles away from Frome in Warminster, said: "We just want to make people more aware of what is going on in the world of kidney disease. You hear a lot about cancer, but you never actually hear anything about kidney disease which is equally as degrading and life-threatening and debilitating."
"Even just to walk 50 yards outside my door is a bit of a battle; I get breathless, cough a lot, knees hurt...I'm tired, I'm worn out, I've had 78 operations and I'm physically shattered."
Clare was taken to a doctor aged 12 after suffering frequent nosebleeds. The doctors were shocked to discover she had a blood pressure reading of 310/220 and eventually diagnosed her with kidney failure, SomersetLive reports.
Since then, Clare has been on a difficult journey. She has received two kidney transplants, including one from her mother in 2007.
She's also had numerous health complications from the condition including meningitis, lung disease, and a four-day coma. Aside from her health issues, she's also suffered great personal loss.
Her fiance Michael, who was a sergeant in the armed forces, passed away aged just 32. He died of sudden death syndrome, or, an unexpected cardiac arrest.
Clare would like to dispel the idea that because she often looks well, she must be well: "People say 'well you go onto dialysis you probably feel better'."
"But actually, dialysis is like running a marathon twice over."
Because her condition is not always visible, she is sometimes treated with suspicion by members