Getúlio’s Testimony

My name is Getúlio, I am 53 years old, I am married, and I am the father of three daughters.

In my 20s, after a throat infection, I was diagnosed with chronic kidney disease. At the time, I had no idea what this disease was or its consequences, until I entered hemodialysis. These were difficult times as I did not know or had heard of dialysis.

At first it was not easy, doubts, lack of information and uncertainty about the future were depressing factors, but I had no way to escape from that reality and so I began my treatment. Over time, I realized that with care and determination, I could live this new situation calmly and without difficulties.

I started the treatment and sometime later I went back to work, gradually getting involved in my activities, being promoted, even on dialysis. I made an agreement at the company where I worked to leave early on treatment days so that I could work and have my dialysis treatment. And so I stayed for 31 years.

Over time, when I adjusted to my new life, I met a person, who became my wife. We were together for 8 years and with her I had two beautiful daughters, unfortunately in the second pregnancy she found out that she had cancer, and she died shortly after the birth of my second daughter. It was a very painful situation, because in addition to losing my wife, I was left with the mission of raising two daughters, the oldest six years old and the youngest one year old, and I was on dialysis.

At that point I had already learned that I should not bow my head because of illness, because where there are obstacles, there are also opportunities. And it was by holding on to the opportunities that I managed to overcome this situation. I never stopped doing what I liked. I understood that the dialysis machine is not a punishment, quite the contrary. It is a blessing, a new opportunity to continue our projects, our lives.

I married for the second time, and had another beautiful one, who is now three years old. I have traveled all over Brazil, I have already trained two of my daughters. I had a transplant, went back to dialysis and live my life gratefully and sure that if we don't bow our heads to the disease, we will be winners.