A Mother's Fight Against Stage 5 Kidney Disease

Dear Friends & Family,

I wanted to take a moment to update you on my health journey, especially for those who may not be aware of what's been going on. Back in March 2023, I was diagnosed with Stage 3 Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) after several trips to the emergency room due to kidney-related issues. Soon after, I was referred to a Nephrologist who ordered blood tests and urine samples. Based on those results, my doctor started me on medications to try to slow down the progression of kidney failure. Unfortunately, the medications did not have the intended effect.

By November 2023, I had a Percutaneous Renal Biopsy, which confirmed that my kidney condition had worsened to Stage 4. Just days later, new blood tests revealed that I had reached Stage 5 kidney failure. After further testing, I was diagnosed with a rare form of kidney disease called C3-GN (Glomerulopathies).

In December 2024, I was prescribed a specialized medication called Soliris to help manage my rare condition. Since then, I’ve been undergoing regular infusion treatments, and I still have two more cycles before I’ll temporarily be taken off the medication and begin dialysis.

While this journey has been filled with challenges, I’ve been fortunate enough to continue working. That said, my condition and the limitations it brings have led me to shift from full-time to part-time work so I can prioritize my health, especially since I’m now immunosuppressed.

The silver lining is that there is a potential for a kidney transplant in the near future. Although this is hopeful news, it does come with significant financial burdens. To help cover the costs of surgery, recovery, and other related expenses, I’ve set up a GoFundMe. Any support you can provide would mean the world to me and my family—every contribution, no matter how small, helps tremendously.

This is a long and uncertain road, and I won’t lie—it’s scary. But I know that undergoing a transplant is crucial for me to be around for my children and my husband. Your donations and support will make all the difference.

Thank you for taking the time to read my story, and for any help you can offer. If you have any questions or would like to talk more, please feel free to reach out to me directly

CashApp: $Shaaaylamonique

PayPal: @shaaaylamonique95