Main fundraiser photo

Adrian's Battle against FSGS

Donation protected
In 2008, I was diagnosed with FSGS (Focal and Segmental Glomerulosclerosis), a non-common kidney failure disease that shut down both of my kidneys in less than 4 years. In 2012, I was at my most critical stage: I lost more than 35 lbs. (15 kg.) because I was not able to eat, and the disease was also attacking my lungs. The night I woke up not breathing properly, my mom and I were forced to go to the Emergency Room. This was the day I started dialysis by emergency.


Fortunately for me, the dialysis treatments lasted only 6 months. My sister Marglys Requena (a hero), decided to volunteer as my kidney donor. With the help of family and friends, we could raise enough money for a Kidney Transplant. The surgery took place in March of 2013.

Even though I had two rejection stages with my new kidney, the doctors managed to keep control of it. For two years, I was being checked regularly. Everything was going great: I got married and started living a healthy life.

In 2015, my wife and I decided to move to the United States due to the political, economic and humanitarian crisis my country faces. This meant that the lack medicines and medical support started to affect not only me, but many patients that went through transplant surgeries.

 
However, moving to the United States was also a huge risk: I did not have any medical assistance with my condition for the period of time I was putting all my immigration documents together. Fortunately, I still had my antirejection medicines for two years, but for this period I was flying blind with FSGS because I had not done the blood tests or seen a doctor whatsoever to check on the disease.

 
It was not until October 2017 that my wife's boss helped us get a few tests done and I could manage to send it to my Nephrologist. They showed shocking results: the disease was back again, and it was starting to affect my new kidney. I had to go to the hospital.

I told my story to the doctors at the Emergency Room, and they decided to give me all the help I need. I spent almost two weeks hospitalized, in observation with a treatment called Plasmapheresis (replacement of plasma) to help recover the kidney function.

In spite of all the help, not all expenses for the treatments and medicines are covered because I do not have medical insurance. I recently lost my job, and even though I am doing Uber and Lyft I cannot work full time because I take care of my son every day while my wife goes to work.


The following are the treatment costs:


-Each Plasmapheresis costs around $24,000 (Those are partly covered by the hospital so far, thanks God). Although, I still have to pay the Emergency Room and other extra treatments out of pocket.

-Pills a month:
Prograf 1.5mg (60 pills)
MyFortic 360mg (60 pills)
Furosemide 40mg (30 pills)
Prednisone 50mg (30 pills)
Carvedilol 6,25mg (60 pills)
Sodium Bicarbonate 650mg (60 pills)

With the help of Florida Hospital Foundation this whole pack of medicines costs $80 a month, but regularly just the MyFortic costs $600.


I will really appreciate if they continue to help me while I get my insurance next year. But your help will go to the unpaid hospital bills from ORMC, Pathologist and Nephrologist appointments, treatments pills, and lab results to continue with the process of saving my new kidney from being attacked and fatally affected by my FSGS.
 
Donate

Donations 

  • Gabriela C
    • $50 
    • 6 yrs
Donate

Organiser

Adrian Requena
Organiser
Orlando, FL

Your easy, powerful and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help straight to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.