Kidney Disease Is Not the End of Our Story

Dr. García Echevarría’s health took a sudden turn when she was a 22-year-old college student studying psychology. 

“I got a kidney infection that landed me in the hospital for an entire month,” she said. “I was terrified and depressed. I also lost a lot of weight.”

During Dr. García Echevarría’s hospital stay, doctors also diagnosed her with polycystic kidney disease (PKD). 

“PKD causes cysts to grow in the kidneys. My own grandmother had PKD and passed from complications related to it,” she said. “I never expected the same diagnosis.”

As a young adult, Dr. García Echevarría didn’t want to focus on the kidney disease. Since her kidney function remained stable after she recovered, she returned to school and continued living her life.

"I was in denial," Dr. García Echevarría said. "I thought I would be okay as long as I didn't get another infection."

So, she focused on her education, earning a doctorate in clinical psychology and building a career helping others.

More than two decades later, in 2014, Dr. García Echevarría was attending church when she fainted twice.

“I went to the hospital,” she said. “Doctors discovered a mass on one of my kidneys and found I was severely anemic.”

Testing revealed kidney cancer.

“I had two options. Either remove part of the kidney or remove it entirely to prevent the cancer from spreading,” Dr. García Echevarría said. “I chose to have it removed.”

Fortunately, the cancer was treated successfully. But over time, her remaining kidney function began to decline.

"I kept worrying dialysis was right around the corner," she said. “Eventually, it was.”

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Like many people living with kidney failure, Dr. García Echevarría was afraid to start dialysis.

“I hoped that my strict dietary changes and careful kidney monitoring would allow me to avoid treatment until I received a transplant,” she said. “But my symptoms continued to get worse.”

Dr. García Echevarría now faced severe fatigue and leg swelling. 

“I realized I needed help,” she said. “So, I got my access and started in-center hemodialysis.” 

Unfortunately, the experience was overwhelming and confusing. 

“They didn't explain anything," she said. "They just sat me down and connected me to the machine."

Despite the difficult introduction, Dr. García Echevarría noticed she felt much better after the treatment. 

“I had more energy. My mind was clearer. My legs weren't swollen,” she said. “But I didn’t feel comfortable at this center.”

After transferring to a different facility, she found something she hadn't expected.

"I felt a sense of community," she said. "I'm happy where I am."

The adjustment wasn't easy, but dialysis gave her relief from many of the symptoms that had been limiting her daily life.

Looking for support on your kidney journey? Get matched with an NKF Peer mentor who has lived well while on dialysis. 

As both a psychologist and a kidney patient, Dr. García Echevarría knows a thing or two about the importance of resilience. Ironically, she says she wasn't always optimistic.

"Before I studied this concept, I was really negative," she said. "I was angry that I inherited PKD. I was angry that I was on dialysis."

According to the APA, resilience, or psychological resilience, is the ability to adapt positively to difficult life experiences. 

"I realized that my anger was draining me. The angrier you are, the more energy you lose," Dr. García Echevarría said. “I decided to put that energy into living a happier life.”

Today, she encourages patients to focus on what they can do rather than what they have lost.

"We grieve a lot of things, including the life we thought we were going to have," said Dr. García Echevarría. "We have to adapt to a new reality, but we can still have hope."

Read NKF’s guide to coping better with kidney failure.

Inspired by her journey, Dr. García Echevarría has written books focused on resilience and living with chronic illness.

One book is designed for dialysis staff and caregivers. Another, written in Spanish, shares lessons from her own experiences and includes reflection exercises for readers.

“I also created an online community called Fuerza Renal ("Kidney Strength"),” Dr. García Echevarría said. “I’ve been on dialysis for more than 11 years. But I’m still here, living a wonderful life.”

Her goal is to help others see that a diagnosis does not define them. 

"It's your choice to look inside and say, 'I'm still me. I have a purpose. I matter. I have strength, even though I'm tired,” said Dr. García Echevarría. "Please find joy and purpose in your life. And remember, you’re not alone.”

Find your kidney community. See all the ways you can get involved with NKF.