A Second Chance for Jenn: The Need for a Kidney Transplant
Kidney disease is a silent adversary. For millions of people around the world, it creeps in slowly, disrupting lives, draining energy, and threatening futures. Hello everyone, my name is Jennifer (Phelps) Prewitt, and this is my story. I was a vibrant woman, a civil servant advocating and caring for our seniors for the past 25 years whose life has forever changed by the need for a kidney transplant—and the incredible journey I have undertaken to find hope, health, and joy again!
In late December of 2023, I developed a tiny little friction blister on my left pinky toe. After taking care of it properly, which included a doctor visit and an antibiotic in the middle of the week, Friday, the determination was made to send me to the emergency room from the doctor’s office. From there I was admitted and suffice it to say that that little piggy didn’t get to go “Weeee Weeeee Weeeee” all the way home with me! I was also started on a few different IV antibiotics. One of which, Cefepime, caused allergic reactions, the most severe of which were neurotoxicity and irreparable kidney damage. There was hope that once the medication was stopped that my kidney function would improve, but it did not. Their function has steadily worsened over the past year and a half.
In October of 2024, my Nephrologist referred me to Indiana University Transplant in Indianapolis for a pre-transplant evaluation. At that time, I was found to be a good candidate for transplant and it was determined that additional testing and such would take place when my kidney function “numbers” worsened to meet criteria.
On May 17, 2025, I was taken to the emergency room because I became suddenly paralyzed from the waste down. Labs determined my Potassium was at a critically high level. According to the doctors, I’m fortunate to not have also experienced a heart attack. In order to get my potassium down quickly, a temporary port was placed and I was treated with a 4 hour dialysis treatment. Fortunately, the 1 treatment did the trick and 2 days later I was discharged home. During this time, my kidney function numbers tanked quite a bit. Once IU Transplant was made aware, the decision was made to move forward with the second tissue typing and other testing needed before being listed on the deceased donor list. I was also given the following URL to share with anyone interested in being prescreened as a possible living donor: http://iuhealth.org/living-kidney-donation
After this last hospitalization and a lengthy conversation with my nephrologist and family, I made the difficult decision to leave my job. June 13th was my last day. I’ve not left a job before lining something else up since I was in my 20’s. Since then, I have had ONE job per my sister, and that’s to stay well (thank you Lisa). I had been doing that very thing when, due to a fall on 9/12, I broke my right leg! Now I am non-weight bearing and pretty much homebound until I see the orthopedic surgeon again on 10/22.
Even though both Johns are working full time, we are struggling to make ends meet over here, some weeks unsure as to how we will buy enough food to feed us for the week. I’ve also been advised I need to start fundraising so that I have money for situations or services that are needed that insurance doesn’t cover.
I know that for the past few years I have kind of gone MIA, losing touch with so many of you that I still love and think about often. I hope my story, at least in some small way, explains why. Most days just making it through the work day would drain the life out of me leaving no energy for any kind of a social life. Please know that, while my circle of friends is on the smaller side, I know that the quality of my relationships with my family and friends is top notch. I need my tribe, my social worker friends, my former colleagues and extended family to rally around me! Regardless of how much time has passed since we’ve spoken, so many have asked how they can help. Per our Father’s teachings, I’m swallowing my pride as he teaches pride comes before a fall. We need money. Plain and simple. For basic needs and bills now, to help with bills until I can work part time, and for travel to and from Indianapolis multiple times per month, and for needs I’ll have after the transplant. I am filing for social security disability which could take quite some time to be approved for, but it will help eventually supplement earnings. For those closer to us, meals and groceries would be super helpful or even grocery (payless/Kroger, Meijer, Aldi) gift cards, gas cards, and/or Amazon gift cards. If you would prefer to mail a gift card or check, my address is:
Jennifer Prewitt
1443 Potomac Avenue
Lafayette, Indiana 47905
Please consider helping me reach the finish line for this transplant, I feel like I still have so much left to give….so much living left to do!