HELP-"Brian,there is no curing this,you need a transplant."

I am 28 years old.Years ago I was a drug abuser and it has damaged my kidneys.I have been on dialysis for 7 weeks.Three DAYS after being diagnosed with acute renal failure I was told that there was no cure for me because I have end stage renal failure.I was in Hopkins downtown Baltimore(supposed best doctors in the world).About six doctors all had the same-no hope news for me.You need a transplant.I don't want a transplant because I know I'll never be the same(taking twenty pills to keep my body from rejecting etc.).I feel better than ever now, so it's a hard choice.I have two questions that nobody seems to know anything about.
#1-Has anyone ever been cured of esrd without getting a transplant?
#2 Why is it they say that once you are reduced to 10% kidney function then you will not get better?What's the difference between 10 or 15% in regards to healing?Please help me Iget very upset when people say there is no hope to ever be healthy for the rest of life which I treasure so much.
Thanks in advance.