Representative David Dill at an event in Silver Bay in June 2009.
Reached by phone on February 19, Representative David Dill (DFL – Crane Lake) confirmed recent news reports that he has kidney disease and will eventually need a kidney transplant— but it will most likely be a year or more before that surgery is necessary. “I feel fine,” said Dill, “I’m doing my work every day.”
Dill explained that he was diagnosed with kidney disease in 1996, a complication of Type II diabetes, and his kidney function has slowly gotten worse over the years. He said he is at the point where he feels he should explore the medical process and on March 16 he will attend an orientation for potential transplant patients.
Dill underwent gastric bypass surgery nearly two years ago and he has lost 155 pounds. The weight loss has resolved his diabetes symptoms. He no longer needs to take medication for diabetes. However, he said, “Unfortunately kidneys don’t regenerate. Once the damage is done, it’s done,” said Dill.
His weight loss is what led to the news report about his illness. “I’ve never kept it a secret. But when I lost all that weight, people started asking if I was sick. I answered that I didn’t lose weight because I was sick, but that I do have this underlying health condition. One person told another and another—you know how that goes,” said Dill.
Dill talked to Forum Communications, publishers of the Politics in MN,
where the story of his medical condition broke. However, Dill said the information published on-line was incorrect. He said a kidney transplant is not imminent. An individual with kidney disease normally begins dialysis when his kidney function falls to 10%. If Dill’s kidney function drops to 15%, he qualifies for a transplant. He feels it is wise to prepare for that eventuality. He has talked to his sister who may be a match and he said four other friends have offered to be tested.
“I’m actually looking forward to it,” said Dill, explaining that it is difficult to deal with a chronic illness. “At some point after a transplant, if all goes well, I will be at normal levels again.”
And, Dill stressed, even when the time comes for the transplant, it should not interfere with his congressional duties. He said it is expected that he would have to be in the hospital for seven to 10 days and would have to have follow-up blood work daily.
For now, Dill asserts that he feels quite well. He reiterated that he has had this disease since 1996 and his kidney function has been “fairly low” for four years now. “No one has known about it. I haven’t missed a day of work,” he said.
And he doesn’t plan to miss any of the action at the Capitol. Asked if he is running for re-election, Representative Dill said, “Absolutely.”
Leave a Reply