
Derisive Dad
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Derisive Dad
@derisivedad
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A father battle against kidney failure givesendgo.com/a-father-battl…



End-stage kidney disease is not just a diagnosis, it is a complete restructuring of life as I once knew it. It is the quiet but persistent force that reshapes my body, my time, my finances, and my role as a man, husband, and father. Yet, in the midst of this struggle, I find myself holding onto something stronger than the disease itself: purpose. I am a father to my one year old son, Julian. At his age, life is supposed to be measured in first steps, laughter, and discovery, not in treatment schedules, hospital visits, and the visible fatigue of a parent fighting to stay present. Every moment with him is both a blessing and a reminder of what I am fighting for. When I pick him up, play with him, or simply sit beside him, I am not just spending time, I am resisting the limitations this illness tries to impose on me. Being a present, supportive, and protective husband and father has taken on a deeper meaning. Strength is no longer just physical, it is emotional endurance, mental discipline, and the refusal to surrender to circumstances. My role in my family has not diminished because of kidney failure; if anything, it has intensified. I must now lead not just with action, but with resilience. My family depends on me not only for provision, but for stability, reassurance, and love in the face of uncertainty. The loss of my job due to kidney failure was one of the most difficult transitions. Work represents more than income, it represents independence, identity, and the ability to provide without hesitation. Losing that stability forced me into a position where survival itself became the priority. It exposed the harsh reality that chronic illness does not just attack the body, it disrupts every structure that supports a person’s life. Dialysis, three days a week for four hours each session, is both a lifeline and a burden. It is a process that artificially performs what my kidneys no longer can, filtering waste and excess fluid from my blood. Medically, dialysis is essential. Emotionally and physically, it is draining. Each session leaves me fatigued, often limiting what I can do for the remainder of the day. Over time, it becomes clear that dialysis is not a cure, it is a temporary bridge, one that sustains life but does not restore it. Health facts reinforce this reality. End stage renal disease occurs when kidney function drops below 10–15% of normal capacity. At that stage, survival depends on dialysis or a kidney transplant. While dialysis can extend life, it does not fully replicate the natural function of healthy kidneys. A transplant, on the other hand, offers a significantly improved quality of life and longer life expectancy, but it comes with its own challenges. The financial burden of pursuing a kidney transplant is overwhelming. Surgery alone can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. Post transplant care includes lifelong immunosuppressive medications to prevent organ rejection, which can cost thousands per month. These medications are not optional, they are the difference between keeping the transplant and losing it. Then there are the indirect costs: frequent doctor visits, long distance travel to specialized transplant centers, and rehabilitation treatments that can reach upwards of $500,000. These are not luxury expenses, they are necessary steps toward survival and recovery. Yet, they create a financial strain that most families are not prepared to bear. To keep moving forward, I have had to make sacrifices that go beyond comfort. I have sold personal possessions, items that once represented milestones, achievements, or stability just to cover a portion of these expenses. Each sale is a reminder of what has been lost, but also of what is still worth fighting for. 1/2 givesendgo.com/a-father-battl…













The United States of America and Israel has just bombed a school full of students in Iran. ~40 students killed and 48 injured. This violates Article 52 of Additional Protocol (I) Geneva Conventions, but international law clearly doesn’t apply to the U.S. and Israel.


Catching up on today's budget presentations. The House budget includes $2.1 million to increase the salaries of members of the House of Delegates and State Senate to $45,000/year starting in 2028. Senators currently make $18,000, and Delegates earn $17,640. They haven't received raises since 1988.










