"I Lost 100 Pounds While on Dialysis and Chose Life"

By Wilson Du, dialysis patient

I was always big growing up and reached 250 lbs. by high school. As a young adult, I was extremely unhealthy, with high blood pressure and other various health issues that were killing my body.

I went into the ER one day in June of 2016, weighing a whopping 312 lbs., to check out some pains. I thought I would just get some pain killers and be sent on my way. Instead, I was told my kidneys had failed and that I would have to start dialysis soon. The only way out of dialysis was a kidney transplant which I was too overweight and unhealthy to receive. Severe gout throughout my entire body left me unable to move and exercise. I was pretty much waiting to die.

Then I chose life! After getting out of the hospital, my muscles atrophied, and I was in a wheelchair unable to move. I longed to go outside (I hadn’t for months). I inched my way to the patio using crutches. I did this day after day until I could reach the sidewalk, then down the street.

With a help of a cane, I took 45 minutes to walk my first mile. After that, I felt invincible! I started taking two- mile and then three-mile walks, until I was able to run 10ks. I lifted weights and moved onto personal training, then CrossFit and martial arts. I now have 6-7 training sessions per day and complete 15-20 miles per day, 3-4 days a week. I weigh 195 lbs. with 14% body fat. I do all of this while conducting hemodialysis three days a week.

I was unhealthy on the brink of death. The doctors said I couldn’t do it. People around me said I couldn’t do it. But I did it!

My mission is to inspire people who are struggling to lead a healthy lifestyle: if I could do it while on dialysis, so can you. I looked chronic kidney disease in the face and kicked its butt.