Episode 152: Navigating Sickle Cell, Dialysis & CKD | Hakeem's Kidney Warrior Story

About this episode

Hakeem shares his journey of living with sickle cell disease and chronic kidney disease, discussing the challenges and resilience required to navigate these conditions.

In this powerful Kidney Warrior Story, host Dee Moore is joined by Hakeem, who openly shares his lived experience of growing up with sickle cell disease (SC genotype) and later being diagnosed with chronic kidney disease (CKD). From early health challenges to navigating kidney failure, dialysis, and the emotional impact of long-term illness, Hakeem reflects on the realities of living with multiple long-term conditions — and the resilience it takes to keep going. This conversation explores identity, acceptance, faith, mindset, and the importance of hope when the journey feels overwhelming. If you are living with kidney disease, sickle cell, dialysis, or supporting someone who is, this episode offers reassurance, representation, and a reminder that you are not alone. In this episode, we discuss: • Growing up with sickle cell disease and its impact on health • Being diagnosed with chronic kidney disease • Navigating dialysis and long-term treatment • The emotional and mental health challenges of CKD • Finding strength, purpose, and hope through lived experience • Why sharing kidney warrior stories matters 💚 Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast is a safe space for kidney patients…

People in this episode

Host: Dee Moore

Guest: Hakeem

Topics covered

• sickle cell disease
• chronic kidney disease
• dialysis
• mental health
• resilience
• hope

Keywords

• kidney disease
• sickle cell
• dialysis
• mental health
• resilience
• hope
• chronic illness

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast, Instagram

More episodes of Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast | Living with Kidney Disease

• Episode 161: From Palliative Care to Purpose: Rebecca’s Journey Through Kidney Failure, Dialysis & Transplant Loss · June 8, 2026 · 47 min
• Episode 160: From Childhood Kidney Disease To Three Transplants | Johanna’s Kidney Warrior Story · May 25, 2026 · 1h 4m
• Episode 159: She Donated Her Kidney to Save Her Sister | Lynsey’s Living Donor Story · May 11, 2026 · 54 min
• Episode 158: Stage 5 Kidney Failure Without Warning: Carla’s Dialysis to Transplant Journey · April 27, 2026 · 47 min
• Episode 157: From Emergency Dialysis to Marathon Finish Line: Cam’s Kidney Warrior Story · April 13, 2026 · 1h 5m
• Episode 156: Diagnosed with PKD at 10 | Living with Hereditary Kidney Disease (CKD Story) · March 30, 2026 · 52 min