New Year and Prayers for a New Kidney

 

     Many friends have asked me to write a blog about my experience while going through the process of a kidney transplant. Several people have inquired into why I have kidney problems. I really wish I knew what happened in 1988 while in child labor or soon after Ashley was born. Unfortunately, we will never know the answers, and it is actually something I have not dwelt on for the past 25 years. I have looked at the circumstance as an opportunity to thank God for a second chance at life, because I was very close to death.   

     I was 24 years old and the pregnancy was uneventful with no concerns or complications. An ultrasound was not performed, and we did not even know the sex of Ashley until she was born.  The day I was discharged from the hospital, I started running a fever.  A few days later I went to see the obstetrician and  he prescribed an antibiotic.  By the time Ashley was eleven days old,  I was extremely ill.  Ronnie told me he was afraid I was going to die in our home and took me to the emergency room.  I was admitted to the hospital. I will always be eternally grateful to family and friends that prayed for Ronnie and me, as well as, took care of Ashley during the weeks I was in the hospital and when I returned home. Jackie and Sue Floars stand out as far as making a significant impact during those days. They took Ashley as a newborn to live in their home and kept her as if she was their own. Through the years, we have maintained a special relationship with the Floars family.

      During my time in the hospital, my family tells me how they stood over me several times waiting for me to take my last breath, because I was so ill.  I was swollen with 40 pounds of fluid and unable to move, see or even function.  Ronnie was spending his time praying that he would not be a widower with a newborn at the age of 25.  We had only been married 20 months when this happened.  After being at the hospital in Goldsboro for a week, I was taken to UNC Hospitals.  Within a couple days of being admitted, I was diagnosed with Acute Tubular Necrosis and Minimal Change Disease.  The tubes to the kidneys were blocked and caused complete renal failure, as well as, the urine spilled an excessive amount of protein.  With the assistance of dialysis and strong medications, I was able to gain kidney function again.  After about a year, my kidney function was almost 100 percent. 

      While hospitalized at UNC, I was assigned Dr. Ronald Falk as my physician.  I have been very fortunate to have him as my nephrologist all these years.  He became the Chief Nephrologist at UNC in 1993 and is known around the world for his expertise.  Over the years, my kidney function has continued to be monitored by Dr. Falk. 

      During the past 2 years, my kidney function has progressively decreased.  On June 14, 2013, I went to UNC for a kidney biopsy.  Blood work and an ultrasound were performed before I went into the operating room for the biopsy.  From the ultrasound, the doctor discovered my kidneys were extremely scarred and had deteriorated over the years.  The biopsy could not be performed.  I was diagnosed with Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis, which means the kidneys do not filter blood appropriately.    In July, Dr. Falk talked with me about the possibility of having a transplant and in October referred me to the transplant team.  The pre-transplant process is very involved and requires many medical tests/procedures. I have a couple more tests before completing this part of the process.  Once the tests are complete and I am evaluated by the transplant surgeons, I should receive approval for the transplant. 

     I appreciate everyone's prayers, love, kind words and concern as I go through this journey. I will continue to document my kidney transplant process on this blog. Happy New Year to you, and I wish you a phenomenal 2014!