Faces of Blue: Brent Call

My story began 41 years ago, when I was 7 years old. I was diagnosed with bladder cancer. I had my bladder removed and a man made bladder, made out of my large intestine. I’ve had several operations growing up and been to hell and back. I also had chemo and radiation.

My kidney disease started when I was a child and has been deteriorating since then. I was lucky enough to have the best family and the doctors at Duke to support me throughout my life.

Fast forward to September 2016 when I was diagnosed with stage III colon cancer. I went through a month of chemo and radiation because they didn’t want to over do it on my body. I handled all of it very well this time.

It has been a month and half of waiting, and I’m really tired of it. I was also diagnosed with stage V kidney disease at the end of my colon cancer treatment. I have lived the majority of my life with less than one working kidney. Not only do I have to watch what I eat for colon cancer but I also have a very strict diet for my kidney disease, low sodium, low phosphates, low potassium. It seems like everything I want and love is mostly off the list and that has been the biggest struggle.

I knew this day would come since I was a child, but it still comes as a shock that I struggle with. I know colon cancer is more treatable and beatable than ever but kidney failure I wasn’t so sure about. I know dialysis has improved over the years but since I have cancer right now, I’m not even eligible for a kidney donor for at least two years after being cancer free.

I still have my great family with me, so I know I am not alone. I know they can’t understand what I’m going through completely, but I will do everything in my power to keep fighting everyday for them and myself.

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