We wanted to share with you a very special “Memoir” written by a lovely lady we recently had the privilege of meeting, Andrea Draper.

Her Memoir is a heartfelt testament to the power of love, resilience and an insight into the world of Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) which began over 40 years ago. In this story, Andrea invites readers into her world, sharing the highs and lows of life alongside her beloved husband, who lived with CKD and meeting an array of nurses and doctors and others who lived their lives alongside them.

As Andrea recounts their rather nomadic life, following her husband’s career as an engineer. She paints a vivid picture of their adventures and the challenges they faced, especially upon his kidney diagnosis in an era when dialysis technology was still its infancy.

“We made no great plans, had no burning ambitions, which with hindsight I see as a great blessing”.

Now living in Worcestershire with her loyal companion Hogan. Andrea devotes her time to meaningful causes, including organisations such as Sight Concern and Alzheimer’s. But it is Hogan who steals the show as a “Pets as Therapy” dog.

Throughout her memoir, Andrea aims to demystify the process of dialysis, offering insights into the realities of living with CKD and undergoing treatment. Her story is both an education and inspiration for readers. 

Moreover, Andrea’s narrative serves as a reflection on the remarkable advancements in healthcare technology. From rudimentary dialysis in their home to the modern more comfortable treatments that we now know. Her memoir highlights the strides made in improving the lives of people with CKD.

“Our first solo dialysis took place in a Nissan Hut attached to Lymington Mortuary”.

At this time, home dialysis was organised in such a way that the machine and equipment was housed in a Portacabin or a specially adapted room in the house, which was possible in their case.

But perhaps the most enduring aspect of Andrea’s memoir is the ability to infuse even the darkest moments with humour and optimism. Andrea and her husband approached life with resilience, overcoming the hurdles of CKD with grace and positivity especially when things didn’t go to plan.

To give you a taste of Andrea’s and Stephen’s story, we’ve included some images from the memoir of holiday undertaken.

It recalls several holiday adventures.

“I was a bit nervous about this expedition as Stephen was nothing like so well as when we had last set forth in our travels. I said, “what if you die over there?” “That is what Embassies are for”.

Each page is a testament to their humorous and unwavering spirt.

We hope that Andrea’s journey will inspire you as much as it has inspired us.

If you are interested in purchasing the memoir or reaching out to Andrea to learn more about her experiences, please contact Andrea at andreajeandraper(at)gmail.com. The memoir can be purchased for £10, and a portion of each sale will be donated to the National Kidney Federation.