Help Rudia Get A Kidney
Hello, my name is Rudia affectionately called ‘Dia’ by friends and family. I am a loving daughter, devoted sister, doting auntie and super proud mom to a rambunctious, larger-than-life, five year old daughter who is my ultimate joy!
Until 3 years ago, like most of you, I enjoyed a healthy, fulfilling life, promising career and relatively normal existence. I could’ve never imagined that in just 3 years, following the birth of my daughter, I’d be on Dialysis full time and diagnosed with an incredibly rare, debilitating, and life threatening kidney disease called IGA Nephropathy. I never dreamed that I would be desperately fighting for a chance at survival and the opportunity to see my daughter grow up and be here with my family.
Since that day in July 2018, I have faced MRSA infections, COVID-19 (YES COVID-19), several surgeries, dialysis treatments 3 days a week, being a full time employee, raising my princess, and the depression that tried to take me out. Most recently, I experienced another setback. After overcoming COVID-19, I learned that my fistula had become infected and I had to have surgery and be treated with antibiotics in attempts to continue dialysis and rid my body of the infection. After having a third catheter placed into my chest in less than 6 months, my surgeon came to my bedside to advise that my AV Graft was completely infected and could not be saved. This meant that after 6 weeks of antibiotics (for a total of 2.5 hours three days a week) I would need to have yet another surgery for either an AV Graft or AV Fistula and subsequently remove the Catheter again. The odds felt insurmountable at this point but I held to hope knowing that if I could just make it through each singular crisis and setback that I would make it for the full journey and here I AM.
Right now for me time is of the essence. I need to have another surgery to place a new dialysis access for treatment in my arm so that I can remain eligible for a kidney transplant. It is the best and only chance I have. I know these are extremely challenging financial times and every person has been severely affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, I still hold to hope and a deep, unwavering faith that miracles can and do happen, even when we least expect.
If you are able to give in any way, please know how truly grateful I am. Words cannot express what your sacrifice means to me, my daughter and my family. If you cannot give, know that I’m just as grateful that you care enough to read, and support by sharing my story. The road this far has not been easy, but I am fighter, and a believer and I will not give up!