Theresa and Tiffanis Kidney Transplant

April 2023

Hi everyone,

My name is Cat and I am lucky to call Theresa one of my lifelong best friends. She is one of the most loving and genuine people I have ever met, and I'm sure you all agree. Theresa has faced every challenge that has come her way head-on, and now she faces a new one.

In Theresa's own words-

"Back in early March, I started to feel like I had a cold that I figured would go away with over-the-counter meds but it lingered for a few weeks. By the middle of March, I went to urgent care who said I likely had a sinus infection and was given antibiotics.

Turns out I’m allergic to those.

Back to Urgent care and another med to help with the rash.

Throughout this I still feel tired and nauseous. I’m not eating much and just overall like eh.

Then the GI symptoms hit during a road trip to Philly where I couldn’t leave the hotel.

On March 27th We luckily made it to NH urgent care where they drew my labs and hooked me to fluids for what they think is dehydration after not being able to keep anything down for a few days. However whenever when they get my labs back they aren’t very good. For reference, a normal patient's creatinine level is less than .1

Mine was 13. They admit me straight to Elliot Hospital. After what feels like millions of scans, labs, tests, and a kidney biopsy the doctors diagnosed me with Granulomatosis with polyangiitis also known as Wegeners which is an autoimmune disorder that attacked my kidneys leading to stage 5 kidney failure.

I will be on dialysis every day.

I will need a kidney transplant.

My life has completely changed in three weeks and it’s taking some adjusting not gonna lie. We are taking it one day at a time. But I’m home and with Tiffani and Ollie which is the most important."

Theresa is one of the most selfless people I know, and she needs our support. At-home dialysis will require an extensive amount of medical equipment and supplies, on top of normal living expenses.

The next several months, and years, will be a huge adjustment for the whole Cardinale family. Their village is strong. Let's show our love and support however we can!