08/26/2024
I don’t share much about my personal life, but I think my story may inspire and give hope.
At the age of 11, I was diagnosed with a rare chronic illness, Granulomatosis with polyangiitis. I sustained significant kidney damage, leaving me with 50 percent functioning. I went about my life as one can surprisingly function at that level. In 2020, however, my kidney functioning declined rapidly. I was diagnosed with a second kidney disease, FSGS. With no treatment available, I eventually had to begin dialysis to stay alive. My partner volunteered to donate a kidney, but he was rejected when the transplant team diagnosed him with a minor chronic illness.
Shortly after, a very close childhood friend expressed interest in donating a kidney. And so our journey began. It was definitely not an easy one. We initially went through Memorial Hermann hospital’s program. Shockingly, it was abruptly halted, due to a scandal involving a transplant surgeon. We then started the process all over at Houston Methodist. Months went by as we repeated extensive time consuming testing, missing work and other important obligations.
Incredibly she came back as a match! On August 20, we underwent surgery. Now, we are at home, resting and healing with the support of our wonderful caregivers and support animals, Kitties- Petey, Hermey and Puppy Coco.
Something to think about and consider:
In the US alone, tens of thousands of people wait for organ transplants; hundreds of thousands of loved ones wait beside them. It is impossible to convey what an organ transplant does for a person in need and their families. The donation is the difference between a life lived waiting in a shadow and a life lived in the warm sun. Please consider being a donor, either in life or after your passing.
I plan to be back at the salon doing what I love and am so passionate about in 6-8 weeks. Cannot wait to see you.
Much love,
Kellie