Profiles

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



Joan

Joan has Type 2 diabetes, but her main health concern is bladder dysfunction and back pain caused by a compression of nerves in her spine (cauda equina syndrome). Her medical records state she has had CKD since 1997 but she was never told, even though she regularly asked about her kidney health at her diabetes check-ups.

  • Background

    Joan is a retired cake decorator and now runs a community and day centre for elderly and disabled people. She is divorced, has 2 daughters, 2 grandchildren, and lives with...

  • Age at interview 70
  • Sex/Gender Female

    • James

    James is a retired ink technician. He has been married for 52 years and has four children. After his early retirement in 2004 he and his wife lived in Spain for 5 years, but they returned to the UK 5 years ago to be closer to their family.

  • Background

    James recently learned about his kidney impairment when he consulted a locum GP about blood in his urine (macro-haematuria). He takes medication for atrial fibrillation and to control high blood...

  • Age at interview 71
  • Sex/Gender Male

    • Ian

    Ian has high blood pressure, Type 2 Diabetes and COPD. He knows that his kidney function is monitored at his 6-monthly diabetes check-ups but wasn't aware that he had mild kidney impairment until being invited to take part in the research.

  • Background

    Ian is a retired aeronautical engineer. His first wife had dialysis for many years and eventually died of kidney failure. He has three children and lives with his second wife....

  • Age at interview 82
  • Sex/Gender Male

    • Mike

    In 2010, Mike felt lethargic and noticed blood in his urine. His GP diagnosed hypothyroidism, prescribed thyroxine and referred Mike to the hospital renal unit for further investigations. Mike now attends 12-monthly GP check-ups and feels pretty healthy'.

  • Background

    Mike works full-time as a self-employed Quantity Surveyor. He lives together with his fiancé, they have no children. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Age at interview 36
  • Sex/Gender Male

    • Margaret

    Margaret has rheumatoid arthritis, asthma and high blood pressure. After having a hip replacement in 2012 she is more mobile, has lost weight and feels much better. She was unaware of her kidney impairment until it was mentioned during a routine check-up.

  • Background

    Margaret is a retired supermarket assistant. She has 3 children and 8 grandchildren. She lives by herself in a warden-supported flat but currently manages independently. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Age at interview 72
  • Sex/Gender Female

    • Joanne

    Joanne has 3-monthly blood test to check for possible side effects from her anti-psychotic medication. Three years ago she was found to have hypothyroidism and pernicious anaemia. More recently, she learned that her kidney function is also mildly decreased.

  • Background

    Joanne works part-time as a lecturer in further education. She has bipolar disorder and has been taking lithium for many years to help even out her moods. She lives with...

  • Age at interview 50
  • Sex/Gender Female

    • Gerald

    Gerald has recently been diagnosed with angina and is currently waiting for an operation. He might need temporary dialysis to help his kidneys cope with the dye used to place the heart stents. He was unaware of having a kidney impairment previously.

  • Background

    Gerald is a retired Deputy Head of School and PE teacher. He lives with his wife of 57 years. They have 3 children and 10 grandchildren. Ethnic background: White British.

  • Age at interview 79
  • Sex/Gender Male

    • Flo and her husband Fred

    Flo was diagnosed with CKD 3a with proteinuria in May 2011 after routine tests. She was referred to the hospital for further investigations and has chosen to remain under their care as she feels greater confidence in the consultant than the care provided by her GP surgery.

  • Background

    Flo is a retired supermarket chief cashier. She has atrial fibrillation, hypertension and gout. She and lives with her husband Fred who has COPD. They support each other with their...

  • Age at interview 70
  • Sex/Gender Female

    • Jill

    Jill found out that she has a mild decrease in her kidney function a few weeks ago through a routine blood test. She felt reassured when her GP told her the decrease was due to normal ageing. She is currently awaiting results from a urine test.

  • Background

    Jill is a retired recruitment manager and previous lay member of a mental health review tribunal. She has atrial fibrillation and intermittent back pain from spinal stenosis. She is widowed,...

  • Age at interview 77
  • Sex/Gender Female

    • Roy and Janet

    Roy has ongoing problems with his eyesight and has had a series of corneal transplants. He attends regular check-ups for his blood pressure but didn't know that his kidney function was low' until his GP invited him to take part in this study.

  • Background

    Roy is a retired hospital porter and carer for his wife Janet, who is disabled. They have been married for 35 years, have 5 children and live in a bungalow...

  • Age at interview 57
  • Sex/Gender Male