My dad is on dialysis. He went from being in stage 1 kidney failure to being in stage 5(the last dialysis stage, the last stage) in a 6-8 month time frame.  Before they put him on dialysis, his legs and his whole body were always swollen, he started retaining so much water that he was getting water blisters all over his body. He was getting migrains...then 1 day we had to bring him to the hospital....that's when I realized it was worse then he thought or lead us to believe...they kept him for several days...they started him on dialysis that day...and did 4 treatments before he left...That's when I decided to look up the actual disease....which lead me to dialysis...and That's where I realized my dad was dying....Level 5 kidney failure(dialysis) is the last Stage before death or a kidney transplant....It has been a few months since then..He Cant eat certin foods, like pottasium(bananas), anything with peanuts, any bread except rye, his fluid intake is about 18 oz per DAY....  I believe that the special diet and his will power are the ONLY reasons why he is still here....He has 4 appts this month to prepare him for a possiable kidney...I am going to Try to give him 1 of mine...because I am his daughter I am an automatic 3/6 point match...We wont know until they let me come in...I have been bugging them since he went to the hospital..I am a Daddy's girl..my mom beat me growing up..If I lost him, I dont know how I would be able to function...---I hope this gives you some insight into what is going on with your father....if not It was very nice for me to Vent...i dont talk to anyone about it because I start Crying... Good luck to all of you... Giggles