When I do any sport, I feel good
Living a healthy, happy and athletic lifestyle despite kidney disease, dialysis, and organ transplantation: Róbert Gelencsér from Hungary describes how it can be done.
To meet Róbert Gelencsér today is to encounter a perfect sportsman – with his broad shoulders, muscular upper arms, and charismatic smile, he’s always just on his way to the next training session. Whenever he can, he powers through his favorite discipline – 100-meter or 200-meter sprinting, or the 4 × 100-meter relay. And with tremendous success: in 2019, the Hungarian, born in 1971 in the small town of Pápa, was voted Hungarian para-athlete of the year for the second time. And in his job as a paramedic, which is just as challenging, he also constantly delivers top performances and has been voted male paramedic of the year twice as well.
Someone who never gives up
It was never a predictable career by any means. Róbert’s story started with a calamity when he was 13. Even then he was already a sports fanatic, but a case of viral tonsillitis that progressed to the kidneys with inflammation of the renal pelvis changed everything for him all at once. Although Róbert was able to leave hospital after two weeks, kidney problems started up again when he developed a cold a few months later and his kidney function deteriorated irreversibly. He managed to fight renal failure successfully again and again during the years that followed. On medical advice, he only ate gluten-free meals, paid attention to his protein intake, and experimented with herbal teas, yoga, and mental control — and with these methods he succeeded in avoiding the need for dialysis for twenty years.
When he received a diagnosis of renal failure in his early 30s, however, even a tough fighter like Róbert fell into a deep depression. “It was a very depressing time. I went through a crisis. No matter what I thought, I never knew what was going to happen next,” he recalls. Finally, he decided on peritoneal dialysis at home, supervised by the B. Braun renal care center in Veszprém in western Hungary. The decisive element for his choice of therapy was the fact that it would enable him to continue with what was most important to him personally: his sports activities and his job.
The fact that peritoneal dialysis was not very widespread at the time did not hold Róbert back from the plan. He received support from the B. Braun team and the medical staff in his center. He particularly appreciated the intensive way they paid attention to his special needs and answered his questions. “I went through the necessary training, and was reassured. And then the treatment started after a month of waiting and getting ready.”
Looking back, he still thinks it was exactly the right decision for him. Róbert was able to carry on working, although of course he had to softpedal a bit for the peritoneal dialysis to start with. Things became ideal when he was able to go on overnight dialysis. At that time, he recalls, it was enough to send the records of his treatment results to the center once a month. “All in all, I felt completely free.”
When he received an offer of kidney transplantation in 2006, Róbert initially shrank from the idea. Everything had already become so routine in his life. Transplantation would mean decisive changes — particularly involving a prolonged break for rehabilitation and training. So, he declined the first kidney and asked for a delay to enable him to prepare himself mentally for the new period in his life.
„All in all, I felt completely free.“
Róbert Gelencsér was voted Hungarian para-athlete of the year for the second time
“I knew my life would be different afterwards.” To prepare himself for it, Róbert needed more information, and he turned to the Hungarian Organ Transplant Patients Association for details. It took several months for him to finally reconcile himself to kidney transplantation. “I had to accept this, but it was a much better solution than dialysis, as I knew I wouldn’t have to go through daily treatment any more and my condition wouldn’t get worse.” When he was offered another kidney, Róbert was inwardly prepared for it so that the transplantation could be carried out the very next morning.
Although the doctors had predicted he wouldn’t be able to do any sports training for six months, Róbert already started on his beloved running as soon as he was able. From the very start, he was motivated by the idea that through the Hungarian Organ Transplant Patients Association, he might have an opportunity to qualify as a para-athlete internationally.
Today he has a happy and healthy life with his wife and two daughters in his home town of Pápa. Whenever they can, they go hiking or cycling together. He’s convinced that his passion for running even helped him recover from the transplantation faster. “Sport maintains our physical and mental balance. When I do any sport, I feel good.” Róbert’s perseverance and commitment were crowned with success when he was recognized as para-athlete of the year for the second time in 2019. For Róbert, sports are not only a lifelong dream but also the energy source that has helped him overcome all of his difficulties. Asked if he has a special tip for other dialysis patients, Róbert says it would be to cultivate or develop a love for sports and activities. Because it’s just extremely important.
„To have a strong, robust body to counteract the physical effects of the treatment.“
A healthy diet
Studies show that eating the right kinds of food can play a major role in the protection and maintenance of many of the body’s vital systems. For dialysis patients, this is even more important. A healthy diet is truly essential for you as a dialysis patient. But this does not mean your diet has to be bland and boring. There are still plenty of delicious foods that can be included on the menu. Because your kidneys do not function at full capacity, you may need to be careful with certain types of food, but your healthcare team will advise you on how to handle such matters. You will also likely have to restrict the amount of fluids that you drink to feel well and to manage your dialysis treatment successfully. You can try our Renal Care Compass App here.
