Randy Sokolowski was seemingly in good health when he went for a physical in 1990 as part of an application for life insurance.
He was stunned his policy was turned down.
As far as he knew, he had no pre-existing medical conditions that would have excluded him from coverage and was surprised to find out one test showed early signs of kidney disease.
"You don't feel any different," he said. "It's just a silent disease that's working away until it's too late."
In retrospect, Sokolowski is happy that he had those tests when he did. He caught the condition early and made some lifestyle changes, which helped extend the life of his kidneys and delay the need for dialysis or a transplant.
"I honestly believe if I hadn't done that insurance test, I probably wouldn't have known," he said. "Without asking the doctor the specifics, that I had high protein [in my urine], I don't know how long before they would have even stumbled across it."
The symptoms of kidney disease can be so difficult to detect. Some people can lose up to 80 per cent of the organ's functioning before they even notice a problem, but by waiting that long treatment becomes more urgent and more challenging.
Since Sokolowski caught his condition early, he was able to start exercising more and change his diet to take pressure off his kidneys and extend their working life. He monitored his intake of things like salt, potassium, phosphorus and protein and had regular checkups to keep an eye on how the organs were functioning.
One of the biggest challenges he faced with his new low-sodium diet was when he was travelling and eating in restaurants.
"I struggled with potassium for a long time with my diet," he said. "We worked hard to eliminate the foods and then it just got to a point where they put me on a medication and then, bang, it dropped."
Ten years after the physical yielded the initial warning signs, Sokolowski was diagnosed with Berger's disease, a chronic kidney disease. Seven years later, in 2007, his kidney functioning took a dramatic turn for the worse.
Sokolowski attributes the sudden 40 per cent loss in kidney function to anti-inflammatory medication he was taking for an unrelated condition. It was at that point he realized that a transplant would be required at some point.
"When I first went to the renal clinic [at UHNBC] in 2007, I asked them, 'how long do you think I have with my kidneys,' " he said. "Nobody knows [for sure], but they said probably four or five years."
Seven years later, Sokolowski is still managing the condition with diet, exercise and medication, although a transplant will still be required. He's hoping to finalize a live donor so that he can have the transplant before he needs dialysis.
While Sokolowski's screening came as part of a physical for his life insurance policy, he said other people should consider getting tested by asking their family doctor.
"I think a big thing is looking after yourself and knowing what's going on with your body," Sokolowski said.
Among the risk factors people should consider for kidney disease are diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, a family history of kidney problems and being over 50 years old. Some ethnic groups, including First Nations, Asian, South Asian and African are also at a higher risk, according to the Kidney Foundation.
In addition to exercise a proper diet and taking the appropriate medication, Sokolowski also credits getting involved with the Prince George chapter of the B.C. branch of the Kidney Foundation with helping him get in the right frame of mind to deal with his diagnosis.
"The neat thing about the chapter is you get to talk to people who are experiencing kidney problems," he said. "It opened my eyes to see that there is a future after [being diagnosed] with kidney disease. There is light at the end of the tunnel, it wasn't like it was going to be over."
Since getting involved with the Prince George chapter in 2010, Sokolowski has taken on a leadership role and is the group's president this year.
World Kidney Day is coming up on March 13 and the local branch of the Kidney Foundation will be holding an information booth at Pine Centre Mall from 10-5. At 1 p.m., they'll hold a special walk around the mall to raise awareness about kidney disease and the importance of signing up to become an organ donor.
Kidney Foundation canvassers will also be going door-to-door this month as part of their annual fundraising drive.
The Kidney Foundation of Canada is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year and the local chapter is planning events to recognize the anniversary later this year.
