Support Brook's Battle Against Kidney Failure

Brook’s Fight: A Journey of Strength, Hope, and Love

Meet my daughter, Brook. She’s 18 years old-a beautiful soul full of light, dreams, and strength far beyond her years. But for the past four years, she’s been fighting a battle no teenager should ever have to face: kidney failure.

Our journey has been long and exhausting. It’s been filled with hospital stays, constant doctor’s appointments, and more pain than any parent should ever witness their child endure. Earlier this year, in February, Brook began dialysis-four times a week. She started with a peritoneal dialysis catheter placed in her stomach. It was tough, and the surgery was painful, but Brook-brave as ever-pushed through.

But nine days in, things took a terrifying turn. She was still in severe pain, so the doctors ran a contrast to check the port. That’s when everything spiraled. Brook nearly passed out from the pain in the hospital, but they still sent her home. A hour later, we were rushing back to the ER. The port was leaking into her abdomen, and shockingly, her bowels were leaking too. She was rushed into emergency surgery. The surgeon said he had never seen anything like it.

Still needing dialysis, Brook had another surgery-this time to insert a port into her jugular vein. That’s what she lives with now. But it’s caused her high blood pressure to soar even higher, creating unbearable pressure in her head. So, we’re trying something else-a fistula in her arm. It takes 6 to 8 weeks to know if it will work. We pray it does.

Through all of this, we fought to get her on the kidney transplant list. It’s a grueling process, but we made it. Then, just two weeks later, we got another blow: her insurance suspended her from the list due to her weight. She was considered “to unhealthy” for a transplant. With the help of family and friends, we worked hard to get her weight up-and thank God, she’s back on the list.

But even being on the list is a waiting game. We’ve been told it could take 3 to 6 years unless someone donates directly to her. Everyone we know- and even some people we’ve never met- has been tested, but so far, no matches.

Just a week ago, we got another devastating call: her insurance will no longer cover her medication. No explanation. No mercy. These are the medications she needs to stay alive. Now we’re left to cover the cost ourselves-and it’s not cheep. Without them, Brook won’t survive.

All we ask is for your prayers-and if you’re considering being an organ donor someday, please think about it now. Living donors save lives-sometimes two at once. If you can’t donate to Brook, if you do it in Brook’s honor, it moves her to the top of the list. That one act of kindness could be the miracle she needs.

Brook is a fighter, a warrior, and our inspiration. But she can’t do this alone. for reading her story. Thank you for caring. And thank you, from the bottom of our hearts, for any support you can offer.

God Bless you all.