Q: Wow, that's all I can say. When you say end stage renal does this mean you will need a transplant? Is this fatal? You don't sound like you are worried about dying...? (I hope that doesn't sound flip, it is not intended to be at all) I wish you all the best.
A: ESRD is the final stage of kidney disease. It is when kidney disease reaches kidney failure and one then requires either a transplant or dialysis to continue living. Without a transplant or dialysis an ESRD patient would quickly (within a few weeks) die of toxemia. While ESRD and complications arising from kidney disease can be fatal (and people with kidney disease and ESRD have a statistically higher mortality rate than 'healthy' people) it is by no means a 'death sentence'. Most people live long, nearly-normal lives while on dialysis or after receiving a transplant.
Q: You don't sound like you are worried about dying...?
Nope. I have too much to live for! Not only that, but I've had nearly 13 years to get used to kidney disease - nearly half my life :) Basically there are a lot of diseases out there (AIDS, Cancer, MS, etc.) that are far worse than kidney disease. I actually feel lucky that I have what I do. Kidney disease is manageable and for a young person, such as myself, I have a better chance for a positive outcome.