Tiana Ortiz' Medical Fund

My name Linda Ortiz, my story is about my daughter Tiana.  In 1999 when she was 17 years old, we had just returned from a 2 week vacation in Florida.  She kept complaining about feeling so tired,  & the more she slept the more tired she felt.  She also was having joint  pain in her hands.  Then she started getting fevers.  After taking her to her doctor a few times, her dr. Suggested I take her to a Rheumatologist.  After a hospital stay she was diagnosed with Lupus.  Once she was diagnosed & put on medication she started feeling better.  Then in 2002 we find out that the Lupus attacked her kidneys.  Tiana had to have chemo treatments  for 6 months,  3 different  times within 3 years, she was stable for a few years.  In 2010 she became pregnant. Everything was  was normal until  27 1/2 weeks, she went into preeclampsia, gave birth @ 28 weeks to a 2lb 10oz beautiful baby boy.  During her post-partum her health went downhill.  She went into renal failure, she was in and out of the hospital every couple of months.  By 2011 she was in end stage renal disease.  My daughter had to register for a kidney transplant.  She  was determined to get a kidney, she has a son now & she wants to be in his life for a long time. She registered in four states for a kidney.   Because Her blood type is  0+, it was more difficult for her to get a kidney.  The wait is usually between 5 - 7 years.
On Saturday Sept. 13th, John Hopkins Medical University called, they had a kidney for my daughter - it was a perfect match, On Sunday Sept 14th, she had her kidney transplant.  It was so unexpected, we figured in a couple years they would hopefully call her, she was even ready to go on dialysis (which never happened). So technically speaking we were not prepared financially for her aftercare.  We have to stay in Baltimore, Maryland for about 6weeks due to monitoring, follow-up appointments & lab work. She has also been put on 13 new medications. We had to rent an apartment and purchase things that we would normally have at home. We are trying to keep her stay as comfortable as possible and hoping for a quick recovery with no set backs.  A number of friends/family have asked how they can help and if we need anything. We definitely don't need her worrying about any financial issues during this time. And so we're asking for any contributions that you might be able to give to help us out. No donation is too small and is greatly appreciated. We also would love for the prayers to continue in her name.

Thank you for your support,
Linda & Ruben
Tiana's parents

**We will also keep you updated with her progress.