Filmmaker preps for kidney replacement surgery
Michelle Loubon
Celebrated filmmaker Danielle Dieffenthaller is preparing to host a ‘Staying Alive’ concert at O2 Park in Chaguaramas, on July 9, as she gets ready for kidney replacement surgery. After being diagnosed with kidney problems in 2018, Dieffenthaller was finally able to secure a replacement kidney and will undergo surgery at Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex, Mt Hope, by August.
And she is pleading with people to take optimum care of their health and refrain from ignoring the warning signs.
The ‘Staying Alive’ cast comprises her brother Kees Dieffenthaller, 3Canal, Nigel Rojas and Freetown Collective and representatives of the cultural and entertainment fraternities.
Dieffenthaller, who is 50-plus, is synonymous with the steamy Westwood Park soap opera which could even rival The Young and Restless.
Westwood Park was the most popular soap opera in T&T over The Young and The Restless and The Bold and The Beautiful
A mother of two, she is eternally grateful for the support of her friends and family, but although she is on the cusp of getting a kidney, she does not want to disclose the identity of the donor.
In a telephone interview yesterday, Dieffenthaller said: ‘It’s like a grand celebration. I am alive…I have been coping for the last three years. It’s a thankful time, a time to rejoice and give God thanks. It’s my time to get a kidney, it’s a celebration. I am in line for a kidney, I am not playing kidney Lotto, I thank my donor.
‘My brothers like Kees, 3Canal and Freetown Collective have happily donated their time to put on an amazing concert. You would hardly see four acts on one stage. My sister is involved. I am getting on the deceased donor list. We do have an Organ Transplant Unit and people can sign on,’ she added.
‘Hot mess’
Reflecting upon her prognosis in 2018, she said: ‘I had a year of pure stress…swollen ankles, couldn’t breathe, feeling horrible and tired. I did two hikes and under normal circumstances, it would have been a breeze. I was ‘throwing up’ and feeling as though I could pass out. It was rough. I was in a hot mess.’
‘Two days after I felt as heavy as lead. My dear friend Natacha Jones said, ‘Get ready, I am picking you up. No excuses’.
‘The clerk who booked me in was shocked at my condition. My blood count was down. I was walking around with stroke-like blood pressure. I thought my doctor would give me some herbs and send me home. She said, ‘You have to be hospitalised immediately’. It was awful. They put me on immediate dialysis. I have been on dialysis for the last three and a half years,’ she stated.
To compound it, Covid-19 reduced her income drastically.
‘As an independent person in the arts, it was complete torture. I ramped up finishing a project. Hopefully, we would come out soon.’
On the way forward, Dieffenthaller said: ‘I had to change my diet and lifestyle, serious discipline. I could not eat foods high in potassium. If I wanted to eat provisions and potatoes, I had to soak it in water for about four to five hours. Everything has salt so doctors would lift warning fingers, ‘You don’t have to add salt’. I experiment with flavours. I had to regulate how much liquid I drink per day. I can have a certain amount of alcohol. You have to be circumspect with food and nutrition. I can’t have coconut water and bananas.’
She added: ‘I want to implore people to look after their health. I have been praying a lot. Taking western and eastern medicines. I have an amazing support network. My family, friends, fans and people from all walks of life are praying fervently. Every entertainer who is my friend has called me to perform.’
More info:
Get Tickets at: https://islandetickets.com/event/Staying-Alive-The-Concert
Visit the go fund me page at: https://gofund.me/543bd139
