Sal Ribbera shares story for Kidney Health Week

A Torquay father-of-four still becomes emotional recalling the “ghost chairs” left at dialysis when fellow patients passed away.

Sal Ribbera received a kidney transplant last year. Picture: Brad Fleet

A Torquay father-of-four still becomes emotional recalling the “ghost chairs” left at dialysis when fellow patients passed away.

Sal Ribbera, 56, was diagnosed with acute kidney failure about eight years ago after he developed a persistent stomach ache.

“It was quite bizarre,” he said.

“I was in and out of hospital with fluid overload for several days every few months.

“Some days I wouldn’t even urinate.”

He was put on dialysis about four about years ago, and was hooked up for five hours every second day.

“It’s a long time out of your life,” he said.

“You never get used to it.”

Mr Ribbera said patients on dialysis would get to know each other, but would then be left with “ghost chairs” when people died.

“It’s just heartbreaking and it becomes very scary,” he said.

“I even well up with tears now talking about it.”

Three in four Australians are at risk of kidney disease with the highest contributing factors being diabetes and high blood pressure.

Ninety per cent of kidney function can be lost without warning, meaning diagnosis is often too late and little can be done at that late stage to avoid kidney failure.

However, early detection can slow or even stop the progression of this deadly disease.

Mr Ribbera lives with type 1 diabetes and said he had cancer as a young man, and kidney problems ran in his family.

He received a kidney transplant from a deceased donor last year, and said he did not even know where to begin when describing how it had improved his health.

“I can sleep, I can urinate again,” he said.

Mr Ribbera, who said he was “forever grateful” for the organ transplant, was “absolutely terrified” before the surgery.

“You’re happy, you’re overjoyed, but you’re petrified,” he said.

He urged people to treat their kidneys with “the respect they deserve”.

Kidney Health Australia is encouraging adults to take a two-minute online test to determine if they are at risk of developing disease during Kidney Health Week from May 21 to 27.

The online test includes nine questions that help identify your risk of kidney disease.

The test determines whether a follow-up appointment with your GP for a kidney health check is recommended.

For more information visit www.kidney.org.au.

Originally published as Sal Ribbera shares story for Kidney Health Week