Episode 160: From Childhood Kidney Disease To Three Transplants | Johanna’s Kidney Warrior Story

About this episode

Johanna shares her lifelong journey living with Chronic Kidney Disease, including her experiences with dialysis and multiple kidney transplants.

Welcome to another episode of Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast. In this powerful Kidney Warrior Story episode, host Dee Moore is joined by Johanna, who shares her lifelong journey living with Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD). Diagnosed as a young child after years of unexplained symptoms, Johanna opens up about growing up with kidney disease, navigating dialysis, experiencing transplant loss, and undergoing multiple kidney transplants. She speaks honestly about the physical and emotional realities of living with CKD for decades, including the uncertainty that comes with transplantation and the challenges of returning to dialysis. Johanna also shares the impact kidney disease has had on her mental wellbeing, family life, pregnancy, identity, and future plans. Throughout the conversation, she highlights the importance of resilience, support, advocacy, and finding joy in life despite the ongoing challenges of chronic illness. This episode is an honest and deeply moving insight into the realities of long-term kidney disease and the strength it takes to keep moving forward through every stage of the journey. In this episode, Johanna discusses: Being diagnosed with kidney disease as a…

People in this episode

Host: Dee Moore

Guest: Johanna

Topics covered

• kidney disease
• transplant
• dialysis
• mental health
• resilience
• chronic illness

Keywords

• kidney disease
• transplant loss
• dialysis
• mental wellbeing
• chronic illness
• resilience
• support
• advocacy

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Chronic Kidney Disease

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 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
• A Personal Update: My GLP-1 Journey & How to Stay Connected · March 25, 2026 · 1 min