Profiles

Here, you can find any of the interviews on this site.



John X

John X has osteoarthritis, gout and intermittent high blood pressure. He was a bit shocked' when told he had kidney damage', as his father had died of kidney failure as a young man. John X would like more information on the risks and what he could do to help himself.

  • Background

    John X is a retired self-employed pest control technician. He retired 6 years ago due to arthritic pain. He is divorced, has 3 children and lives with his granddaughter. Ethnicity:...

  • Age at interview 66
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Jackie Z

    Jackie Z has had IBS for many years. In 2013, she had a spinal fusion. She made a slow but steady recovery with regular exercise, but 10 weeks ago she had a fall and broke her hip. Jackie Z has had a couple of kidney check-ups during the last year but did not know that her kidney function was mildly impaired.

  • Background

    Jackie Z is a retired secondary school teacher. She lives with her husband. They have been married for 44 years and have one daughter. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Age at interview 70
  • Sex/Gender Female
  • Peter

    After his discharge from hospital in February 2013, Peter has made a slow but steady recovery. A couple of months ago he found that medication he was prescribed to remove excess water from his heart and lungs had decreased his kidney function to 30 %. It has since gone up again to 40% and he is being monitored regularly.

  • Background

    Peter worked as a railway signaller until he had a massive heart attack in January 2013. He spent a month in a coma and doctors thought he was unlikely to...

  • Age at interview 50
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Gordon

    Gordon has Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure. In 2010, he had a heart attack and was fitted with a stent, followed by a triple bypass. Gordon was not aware, but also, not surprised, that his kidney function is monitored as part of his 6-monthly diabetes check-ups.

  • Background

    Gordon is a retired Royal Mail Inspector. He retired at age 55 to care for his wife after she had a stroke. He is now widowed and lives together with...

  • Age at interview 72
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Liban

    Liban has high blood pressure and diabetes. About a year ago his GP informed him that his kidney function had plummeted due to medication he had been taking for his diabetes. Liban feels angry that the health professionals involved in his care did not act more quickly as he had been having regular check-ups and thinks they should have spotted the problem earlier.

  • Background

    Liban is a retired shipyard and factory worker. He has one adult daughter from a previous marriage in Denmark before coming to the UK in 1997. He is re-married but...

  • Age at interview 73
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Harry and Nell

    Harry has atrial fibrillation and high blood pressure. He had a heart operation to have a stent fitted in 2006 and attends regular check-ups for his INR tests. Previously, in 2001, he underwent an angioplasty operation. Many years ago Harry was admitted to hospital twice with painful kidney stones. He has had no problems since and was unaware that his kidney function is being monitored.

  • Background

    Harry is a retired quality manager for British Aerospace. He lives with his wife, Nell, who briefly worked as an auxiliary nurse before her past job as a civil servant....

  • Age at interview 78
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Bill

    Bill has high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes. He also had colon cancer in 2006. He finds it reassuring to have his kidneys monitored as part of his 6-monthly diabetes check-ups but would like to have more information. His most recent test suggested that his kidney function has decreased and he is currently waiting for results from a repeat test.

  • Background

    Bill is a retired factory worker. He lives in a flat by himself after his long-term partner died four years ago. He is the youngest of eight siblings and keeps...

  • Age at interview 71
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • John

    John has high blood pressure and osteoarthritis. He has had surgery for spinal stenosis and three knee replacements. His decrease in kidney function was discovered during a routine blood test.

  • Background

    John is a retired lithographic printer. After taking early retirement in 1989 he worked as a magazine circulation manager for his son-in law. He has 3 children, 9 grandchildren and...

  • Age at interview 75
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Ethelbert

    In 2012, Ethelbert had a tumour removed from his larynx. This affected his voice and he can now only talk very quietly. He takes ramipril to control his blood pressure and recently started a course of medication to shrink his enlarged prostate but otherwise enjoys good health.

  • Background

    Ethelbert is a retired builder. He came to the UK from Barbados in 1959. He has been married twice and has six adult children. He has been widowed for 20...

  • Age at interview 94
  • Sex/Gender Male
  • Russell

    In 2009, Russell developed prostate cancer which was successfully treated with radiotherapy. He has regular blood tests to check his PSA levels and kidney function. He also has atrial fibrillation but considers himself in good health overall.

  • Background

    Russell is a retired carpenter and joiner. He has been married to his wife for 60 years. They have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Age at interview 84
  • Sex/Gender Male