Vaibhav Tripathi
Australian all-rounder Cameron Green has revealed that he has been grappling with a chronic kidney disease since childhood, and initially, his life expectancy was not anticipated to extend beyond the age of 12.
“My parents were informed when I was born that I had a chronic kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease is essentially a progressive disease affecting the kidney’s health function. But if you don’t take care of them enough, it easily regresses because kidneys can’t get better. It’s irreversible,” Green said in an interview with Channel Seven during the first Test in Perth.
“Unfortunately, mine doesn’t filter the blood as well as other kidneys. They are about six per cent at the moment, which is stage two. With chronic kidney disease, there are five stages, with stage one being the least severe and stage five requiring a transplant or dialysis. Fortunately, I am at stage two. But if you don’t take care of them enough, it easily regresses.”
Diet-wise, Green has to be cautious about how much protein and sodium he consumes. But even if he does the right things, he can still suffer cramps, as he did while batting for Australia in an ODI against New Zealand in Cairns last year.
“Growing up, I can remember being in the hospital every week getting ultrasounds on my kidneys, just checking the size and the health of them. My parents were informed when I was younger that I could be very small, which is pretty funny to look back on now. I consider myself very lucky that I am not as physically affected by chronic kidney disease as other people with the same condition.
“Luckily I’m dating a dietitian (Emily Redwood), someone who can help me out with my meals that I need to look after myself. When I was growing up, my mum cooked beautiful meals, kidney-friendly. At the time, I was upset about eating all these healthy meals, but over time I became grateful that we did.”
Despite these challenges, now at the age of 24, Green has become a crucial player for the Australian team in all three formats. Green was excluded from the playing XI for the ongoing first Test between Australia and Pakistan in Perth.