Episode 163: How Undiagnosed Kidney Reflux Led to Kidney Failure | Noël’s Kidney Warrior Story

What happens when a childhood kidney condition goes undiagnosed for years?

In this powerful episode of Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast, host Dee Moore speaks with Noël, who was born with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR), also known as kidney reflux. Although she experienced repeated urinary tract infections (UTIs) throughout childhood, her condition wasn’t diagnosed until she was seven years old. By then, irreversible kidney damage had already occurred, leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Noël shares her remarkable Kidney Warrior journey—from growing up with chronic kidney disease, to unexpectedly crash landing onto dialysis, and ultimately receiving the life-changing gift of a kidney transplant.

This honest, emotional and inspiring conversation explores the realities of living with kidney disease, navigating childhood and adulthood with a lifelong condition, advocating for your health, and finding hope through resilience and community.

In this episode, we discuss:

💚 Childhood kidney disease (CKD) 💚 Vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) (kidney reflux) 💚 Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) 💚 Recognising the signs and symptoms of kidney disease 💚 Living with chronic kidney disease 💚 Starting dialysis unexpectedly 💚 Receiving a kidney transplant 💚 The importance of self-advocacy and asking questions 💚 Finding hope while living with chronic illness 💚 Why sharing patient stories can educate, empower and inspire others

Whether you’re living with kidney disease, supporting a loved one, working in healthcare, or simply want to understand more about chronic kidney disease, Noël’s story is one of courage, resilience and hope.

🎥 Prefer to watch? The full video version of this episode is available on the Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast YouTube channel.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with your family, friends and healthcare professionals. Every listen, review and share helps us reach more people affected by kidney disease and organ transplantation.

Together, we can educate, empower and inspire.

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Follow Noël:

📸 Instagram: @_labridy_ LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/noël-labridy-108391317

Kidney Care UK

💻 Website: www.kidneycarekuk.org 📧 [email protected] 📞Tel: 01420 541 424 📘Facebook: www.facebook.com/kidneycareuk.org 📷Instagram: @kidneycareuk 🔵Blue Sky: https://bsky.app/profile/kidneycareuk.bsky.social 📺YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeqQTdAsEzXphqjHVtcTD-A

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Kidney Care UK's Kidney Kitchen

Kidney Kitchen recipes are very carefully analysed and approved by the British Dietetic Association Renal Nutrition Specialist Group (RNG).

https://www.kidneycareuk.org/about-kidney-health/living-kidney-disease/kidney-kitchen/

Disclaimer:

The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your doctor, consultant, or qualified healthcare professional regarding your individual health needs and before making any medical decisions. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the host, the Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast, or Kidney Care UK and are not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organisation, company, individual or anyone or anything.

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