Justine's Kidney Journey
Donation protected
I have decided to do a go fund me page for an amazing associate of mine who is the strongest, compassionate 21 year old girl I know. She works hard and has now unfortunately been diagnosed with kidney failure and is taking on as much as she can for help towards her medical bills. They are unfortunately getting quite large for her family and any amount will help towards her journey to a healthier life. Please see her journey below:
- My journey began back in may during my routine physical where they decided to do some bass line blood work. They discovered that my cholesterol and lipid levels were quite elevated and referred me to a cardiologist in a June. He did more blood work and discovered my Creatine (this refers to your kidney function) levels were elevated and he referred me to a nephrologist in July where he ran a whole bunch of tests. An ultrasound determined I only had one kidney. Approximately 2.5 weeks later he gave me the devastating news that my one kidney was functional at only 19% and I was in stage 4 of chronic kidney disease.
Due to that diagnosis my name was sent into the Maine Transplant program and my name added onto the donor list. The following day I ended up being admitted into the hospital with some scary numbers for blood pressure and was kept overnight for evaluations. After that I stabilized with the help of multiple medications and routine check ups with my nephrologist. In September the Transplant team contacted me to come in for their class to learn about the whole process. The following week they called me again and got me in for my first appointment to get the ball rolling on what I’ll need to do for this Transplant to happen. They ran many of their pens tests and took lots of blood samples so they could begin their search in finding me a living donor.
Since then I have for the most part stayed status quo and continue to live my life as normally as possible. I have many routine check ups and continue to take all my meds. In the first week of November I will be seeing the transplant team for my second appointment where I’ll meet my doctor who will front my transplant process. Although it all feels overwhelming at times, I take it with my best step and pray for good health everyday.
- My journey began back in may during my routine physical where they decided to do some bass line blood work. They discovered that my cholesterol and lipid levels were quite elevated and referred me to a cardiologist in a June. He did more blood work and discovered my Creatine (this refers to your kidney function) levels were elevated and he referred me to a nephrologist in July where he ran a whole bunch of tests. An ultrasound determined I only had one kidney. Approximately 2.5 weeks later he gave me the devastating news that my one kidney was functional at only 19% and I was in stage 4 of chronic kidney disease.
Due to that diagnosis my name was sent into the Maine Transplant program and my name added onto the donor list. The following day I ended up being admitted into the hospital with some scary numbers for blood pressure and was kept overnight for evaluations. After that I stabilized with the help of multiple medications and routine check ups with my nephrologist. In September the Transplant team contacted me to come in for their class to learn about the whole process. The following week they called me again and got me in for my first appointment to get the ball rolling on what I’ll need to do for this Transplant to happen. They ran many of their pens tests and took lots of blood samples so they could begin their search in finding me a living donor.
Since then I have for the most part stayed status quo and continue to live my life as normally as possible. I have many routine check ups and continue to take all my meds. In the first week of November I will be seeing the transplant team for my second appointment where I’ll meet my doctor who will front my transplant process. Although it all feels overwhelming at times, I take it with my best step and pray for good health everyday.
Organizer and beneficiary
Chelsey Cargen
Organizer
Scarborough, ME
Justine Tibbets
Beneficiary
Inspired to help? Start a fundraiser for someone you know
