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Three years ago, my life changed...forever.
At the age of 22, I was a college nursing student, barely surviving. It was my last year of exams, giving medications and injections, and attending clinicals to learn how to professionally and passionately care for medically ill patients.
I was determined to get my BSN degree, but like most nursing students, I was mentally and physically exhausted. Sure enough, I receieved news that turned me from a nursing student to a medical patient myself.
In April 2011, I was diagnosed with Stage 5 Kidney failure. No obvious signs, symptoms, or clues for years! That's probably why they call it "a silent killer." It was on a spring break trip with friends, when I began to notice that there was something physically wrong. After going in for a check-up with my physician, she wasn't too concerned by my only physical symptom of an elevated blood pressure. Because of my young age and current stress from nursing school, there were no real reasons to be concerned. But something in me provided me with the wisdom and guidance to ask for a full blood work up. Two weeks later, after receiving my results and going back in for a follow-up, I received news that turned my life for the BETTER.
Yes. I did say and truly mean for the BETTER, and I will explain, but hang tight for a bit friends. :)
At first, it was devastating and difficult to accept. How can I, a young, completely healthy, (but stressed out nursing student), be going through END STAGE KIDNEY FAILURE?! I've only read about this condition countless times in my nursing books. I knew the cause and symptoms of this condition, I knew what medications and treatments would be needed, I knew what it meant to have kidney failure, but would never thought words in my books would become so literal for me.
I was immediately sent to the hospital for further testing and evaluation to confirm my diagnoses of IgA Nephropathy. My kidneys were only functioning at 10%. I needed to begin a strict renal diet, have surgery to have a catheter inserted into my abdomen, do daily 8 hour dialysis treatments, attend weekly clinic visits for blood tests, while all still needing to finish my last semester of nursing school. Denial set in, but once the very IV's, blood transfusions, and medications I was being trained to give to patients were being administered to ME, acceptance had to settle in somehow. This is around the time when most people start looking for HOPE.
And HOPE is what I found. Along with unconditional LOVE, undeserving GRACE, and an eternal promise of SALVATION, PEACE, and JOY.
Through the power of invitation to a church service, I committed my life to following Jesus Christ. Through a relationship with Him, God’s plan on my life began to be revealed. It was through a process of transformation, having FAITH, and having a heart to desparetely seek Him, was when I was able to find the HOPE I was looking for.
I'm not saying that all my worries and struggles were miraculously lifted away. My road was still a rocky and difficult path to take. But knowing I wasn't alone on the journey and that everything was happening based on God's will and not my own, gave me so much PEACE and STRENGTH.
God has been actively working in my life in so many ways to provide the clarity I seeked. And although I didn't understand everything, I vowed to "remain confident in this, I will see the goodness of the Lord."
Had I not been diagnosed with this condition, I would have never seeked help from God, and would've continued to live the same monotnous life I had envisioned. God had, and still has, something greater for my life. (Even for yours).
His recent work in my life, is how he made my wait for a kidney transplant from a 6 year wait to possibly receiving one NEXT YEAR! I can't explain the overwhelming emotions I experienced when I heard of this news, but it was so sudden and unexpected that finances became an area of concern.
University of California San Francisco is the only hopsital my insurance will allow me do my transplant with, which is a blessing in itself, being they are amongst the top in the nation for kidney transplants. Unfortunately, I live in beautfiul Hawaii on the island of O'ahu. Once I receive the anticpated call from UCSF, I will need to provide the funds to fly immediately to San Francisco and make accomodations for a 1 month stay, including travel expenses to and from the hospital, food, and medication expenses. The costs of this anticipated journey can range from $10,000 - $20,000.
I come humbly before you all to NOT only partner with me in my finances on this upcoming and difficult journey, but to also share the goodness that I've experienced through a relationship with our ultimate creator and heavenly Father.
We all have our hardships, and so if financial support can't be provided, PRAYERS are just as amazing!
I hope that me sharing my story and my new found love and relationship with God, will inspire you all somehow. We have our struggles in this life, but know that there is a God that loves you unconditionally and only wants your heart and salvation through His son Jesus Christ.
Thank you in advance for donating and even if you don't or can't contribute, please take this testimony to heart and I pray that God will use this seed to sow into your heart somehow. Thank you for reading and God bless you all!
At the age of 22, I was a college nursing student, barely surviving. It was my last year of exams, giving medications and injections, and attending clinicals to learn how to professionally and passionately care for medically ill patients.
I was determined to get my BSN degree, but like most nursing students, I was mentally and physically exhausted. Sure enough, I receieved news that turned me from a nursing student to a medical patient myself.
In April 2011, I was diagnosed with Stage 5 Kidney failure. No obvious signs, symptoms, or clues for years! That's probably why they call it "a silent killer." It was on a spring break trip with friends, when I began to notice that there was something physically wrong. After going in for a check-up with my physician, she wasn't too concerned by my only physical symptom of an elevated blood pressure. Because of my young age and current stress from nursing school, there were no real reasons to be concerned. But something in me provided me with the wisdom and guidance to ask for a full blood work up. Two weeks later, after receiving my results and going back in for a follow-up, I received news that turned my life for the BETTER.
Yes. I did say and truly mean for the BETTER, and I will explain, but hang tight for a bit friends. :)
At first, it was devastating and difficult to accept. How can I, a young, completely healthy, (but stressed out nursing student), be going through END STAGE KIDNEY FAILURE?! I've only read about this condition countless times in my nursing books. I knew the cause and symptoms of this condition, I knew what medications and treatments would be needed, I knew what it meant to have kidney failure, but would never thought words in my books would become so literal for me.
I was immediately sent to the hospital for further testing and evaluation to confirm my diagnoses of IgA Nephropathy. My kidneys were only functioning at 10%. I needed to begin a strict renal diet, have surgery to have a catheter inserted into my abdomen, do daily 8 hour dialysis treatments, attend weekly clinic visits for blood tests, while all still needing to finish my last semester of nursing school. Denial set in, but once the very IV's, blood transfusions, and medications I was being trained to give to patients were being administered to ME, acceptance had to settle in somehow. This is around the time when most people start looking for HOPE.
And HOPE is what I found. Along with unconditional LOVE, undeserving GRACE, and an eternal promise of SALVATION, PEACE, and JOY.
Through the power of invitation to a church service, I committed my life to following Jesus Christ. Through a relationship with Him, God’s plan on my life began to be revealed. It was through a process of transformation, having FAITH, and having a heart to desparetely seek Him, was when I was able to find the HOPE I was looking for.
I'm not saying that all my worries and struggles were miraculously lifted away. My road was still a rocky and difficult path to take. But knowing I wasn't alone on the journey and that everything was happening based on God's will and not my own, gave me so much PEACE and STRENGTH.
God has been actively working in my life in so many ways to provide the clarity I seeked. And although I didn't understand everything, I vowed to "remain confident in this, I will see the goodness of the Lord."
Had I not been diagnosed with this condition, I would have never seeked help from God, and would've continued to live the same monotnous life I had envisioned. God had, and still has, something greater for my life. (Even for yours).
His recent work in my life, is how he made my wait for a kidney transplant from a 6 year wait to possibly receiving one NEXT YEAR! I can't explain the overwhelming emotions I experienced when I heard of this news, but it was so sudden and unexpected that finances became an area of concern.
University of California San Francisco is the only hopsital my insurance will allow me do my transplant with, which is a blessing in itself, being they are amongst the top in the nation for kidney transplants. Unfortunately, I live in beautfiul Hawaii on the island of O'ahu. Once I receive the anticpated call from UCSF, I will need to provide the funds to fly immediately to San Francisco and make accomodations for a 1 month stay, including travel expenses to and from the hospital, food, and medication expenses. The costs of this anticipated journey can range from $10,000 - $20,000.
I come humbly before you all to NOT only partner with me in my finances on this upcoming and difficult journey, but to also share the goodness that I've experienced through a relationship with our ultimate creator and heavenly Father.
We all have our hardships, and so if financial support can't be provided, PRAYERS are just as amazing!
I hope that me sharing my story and my new found love and relationship with God, will inspire you all somehow. We have our struggles in this life, but know that there is a God that loves you unconditionally and only wants your heart and salvation through His son Jesus Christ.
Thank you in advance for donating and even if you don't or can't contribute, please take this testimony to heart and I pray that God will use this seed to sow into your heart somehow. Thank you for reading and God bless you all!