Maria's Kidney Failure Expenses

On July 31, 2020, my sister Maria was involved in a highway car accident that resulted in her going to the hospital. Prior to the accident she was constantly tired, feeling nauseous, and had a loss of appetite. At the hospital, she was informed that her hemoglobin levels were extremely low that she received a blood transfusion. To make matters worse she received the unsettling news that she has End-Stage Kidney Failure, High Blood Pressure, and Anemia. According to the CDC, kidney disease affects 38% of people ages 65 and older, 13% of people ages 45-64, and 7% of people ages 18-44. Maria was immediately transported to a nephrologist specialist and was hospitalized for two days. She was told she would need to start dialysis treatment to live as soon as possible as her kidney functions are below 10%. She has decided to do peritoneal dialysis at home every night. For this to be possible a catheter has been surgically placed in her belly and will be connected to a machine every night to filter out toxins from her body.

Maria is a 23-year-old young woman that recently graduated from the University of Oklahoma in May. Her post-graduation plans were to work and continue her education to attain a Master’s in Higher Education. With her unexpected diagnosis, her plans have been put on hold. She has returned back home with our family to have a strong support system. She is taking medications around the clock to control her health issues. While she is fortunate to have our families support, this is a hardship that no one expected, especially not a 23-year-old woman. As no one expects any major health diagnostic, neither did Maria nor our family.

There is no cure for kidney disease, the best treatment is a kidney transplant. She is currently in the search for a potential live kidney donor to have a better chance at life. She has undergone multiple days of testing, evaluations, and medical visits. It goes without saying that this entire process and the steps yet to come have not, and will not, come cheap. The medical bills, medications, doctor appointments, hospital stays, surgeries, and dialysis treatments are starting to put a financial toll on our family. While insurance has covered some expenses this far, there will be many other expenses accrued right before the transplant takes place and after as well. Any donation is greatly appreciated and means that a healthier and easier life is that much closer for Maria. My family and I are hopeful that she will continue to live her day to day life as normal as possible despite the circumstances.