At 72 years old, Jeff Niekamp is a busy man. Husband of 51 years. Father of four. Grandfather to 15. Part-time college instructor. Hobby farmer with a small orchard and vineyard.

He has also been working on a life-saving goal for the past 15 years. Jeff’s kidneys have been failing little by little over the years, an effect of a condition known as Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). About 37 million adults live with CKD. Not all CKD patients progress to kidney failure, but Jeff is.

The kidneys filter waste out of the blood. Jeff’s goal is to not need kidney dialysis - a mechanical process of filtering waste out of the blood - while he waits for a kidney transplant. Some medical studies have shown kidney transplantation is more successful if not preceded by dialysis. 

“Right now, I am at stage five, which is complete renal failure,” Jeff says matter-of-factly. “Probably 80% of other people in my condition are on dialysis. I am one of the fortunate ones for whom a strict diet has worked so far in maintaining my goal of not needing dialysis.”

Every 24 hours, 360 people begin dialysis treatment for kidney failure.

How it all began

Jeff found out 10 years ago his kidneys were failing. Five years ago, his kidneys reached a point where Jeff was put on a transplant list.

In the meantime, he has been dedicated to staying as healthy as he can.

“I’ve mostly been watching my diet. It’s quite restricting as far as what I can and cannot eat. But it’s doable. My goal was to try to stay off dialysis until a kidney is available. So far, I have been able to do that.”

In the United States, diabetes and high blood pressure are the leading causes of kidney failure, accounting for 3 out of 4 new cases. Jeff’s kidney failure is the result of uncontrolled high blood pressure earlier in his life.

He feels the health effects of his failing kidneys. Mostly he feels tired because of anemia. Anemia occurs when there are not enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues. So, Jeff’s care includes receiving hemoglobin injections as needed to treat the anemia caused by CKD. 

Dr. Justo Gonzalez-Trapaga

He works with board-certified and fellowship trained Blessing Health nephrologist, Justo Gonzalez-Trapaga, MD, FACP. Jeff says Dr. Gonzalez

respects his wishes to do all he can to avoid dialysis.

“He’s 100 percent on board. But Dr. Gonzalez is straight-up with me, watching for signs that a strict diet is no longer working and it’s time for dialysis. We are working well together.”

“Mr. Niekamp is a great example to others,” said Dr. Gonzalez. “He takes good care of himself, follows up with lifestyle modifications and suggestions, and has great family support in his wife.”

Now it’s a waiting game

Just over a year ago, a day after Christmas, Jeff was matched with a kidney. But the surgery could not take place because he tested positive for the flu. So, Jeff continues to wait, works with Dr. Gonzalez, and stays positive.

“It’s just part of life. I stay active. The grandkids help. There’s always something going on. And I know if I have an issue, I have someone to call – Dr. Gonzalez.”

“Most patients that have a residual kidney function of less than 20% qualify for renal transplant evaluation if they are otherwise in good health,” Dr. Gonzalez concluded. “Renal transplant has a better prognosis and quality of life than dialysis, and should be pursued if able.”

Dr. Roula Tanios

Jeff has also worked with Blessing Health’s board-certified and fellowship trained nephrologist, Roula Tanios, MD, over the years.

“Jeff was very compliant with his renal diet, visits and medications and following medical nephrologist advice,” she said. “He is very motivated about avoiding dialysis, and those steps help delay dialysis in patients with stage 4-5 CKD, like Jeff.”

“I am on the transplant list at Mayo Clinic and St. Louis University Hospital,” Jeff concluded. “The coordination between those places and Drs. Tanios and Gonzalez throughout this whole process has been excellent. What I am told at Mayo and St. Louis is the same thing I am told here. It’s really nothing different. My Blessing doctors and their nursing staff have just been super, always available.”

For more information on kidney disease and its common causes and symptoms, and the nephrology care available from Blessing Health, go to https://www.blessinghealth.org/kidney.