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Kidney transplant

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It has been a long and hard journey but faith has kept me this far. In 2014, I was told that my kidney function was declining and eventually I would need dialysis  or a kidney transplant to live. By July 2015 my kidney started to go in major decline. By Aug 2015, I became so sick that I had to leave my employment of over 10 years. I suffered bad nausea, fatigue, dizziness , vomiting , lack of focus, lost of appetite,  poor concentration and Lack of energy. I under went 5 surgeries to get a working access for dialysis. The first 2 surgeries were failures. I had a AV fitschula and graft put in for Hemodyalis. Neither ever worked and  there was never a thrill. Finally I was told with only a 11% function that something had to be done quickly in order to keep me alive. The doctor recommended that the surgeon place a tube in my stomach so I could do PD dialysis from the stomach 7 days a week from my home. On Nov 11, 2015, I began PD  dialysis. It almost took my life.  Me not being a medical professional and dealing with symptoms that seemed the same for dehydration and having to much fluid became overwhelming for me to diagnose myself. I ended up not being able to get food down and just the thought of food or a touch of it against my tongue, sent me to the bathroom throwing up.  I lost 54 pounds in six months . I went from 182lbs to128lbs. I felt as if my body was hollow inside. Knowing that the home dialysis was not working for me. I finally found a surgeon that was able to get me a working graft for
Hemodyalis.  This was surgery #4 but it worked and afforded me to go in center 3 days a week for dialysis,  were I could be assisted by a staff of medical professionals.  Before I could start Hemodyalis, I ended up in the hospital with a high fever.  The doctors ran all kinds of test on me and could not come up with a final answer as to why I had a high fever. Finally day 4 by the grace of God , the fever started to
break and I was released from the hospital. I started Hemodyalis on  January 12, 2016.. I remember tears flowing out my eyes from mixed emotions. Happiness of having people that could watch over me, scared
of what I would endure next. It
was at this point I felt God had real purpose for my life and that he was on the scene.  I went to Augusta GA , John Hopkins and MUSC hospitals at separate times and met  with their transplant teams.  I was fortunate, they all excepted me. However it would be the very last hospital MUSC that my son and I met with on  January 30, 2017, that would call me May 28 2017 saying they had a kidney that might be a good match.  On May 29, 2017 that morning around 8am, I received the call that the final cross match had been done and to come on to the hospital . On May 30, 2017, I received my gift.  I am told by the surgeon that my kidney is functioning great. I tell my story in hopes that people will feel in there heart to help me if they can. The first year will be the hardest and requires funds to afford medication, travel and possible lodging often . I will be required to take rejection medication and other meds for the rest of my life, to ensure my kidney doesn't go into rejection. this could become costly.  The medication is high and insurance doesn't cover all of  it.  There is a lot of out of pocket expense.  Any help that can be given is greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance for taking the time to read my story.
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Donations 

  • Henok T
    • $100 
    • 7 yrs
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Organizer

Poppy Griggs
Organizer
Irmo, SC

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