Support Camie's Journey to Health and Recovery

03/24/2025

Camie wanted to let everyone know!

A quick update on my renal auto transplant: I have been cleared to go back to work full time in April. My follow up tests results came back and the surgeon said everything looks great I finally get my life back and I couldn’t have done it without all of your love, prayers and support. Life isn’t easy but I am so very blessed. Much love and blessings to you all

01/16/25

Update on Camie’s rare nutcracker syndrome surgery. The surgeon ended up doing a hybrid renal auto transplant. He felt it was less of a risk to drop the kidney down a few inches and reattach the renal vein versus moving the kidney to the right side, as was previously planned. It was still a major surgery and she has a long road to recovery. As her body gets used to having proper blood flow, we suspect she will flourish in time. As we all know, healthcare costs can be overwhelming, and the prospect of medical bills, travel expenses, and time away from work adds an immense financial burden on her. She appreciates any support that is given.

There have been requests for Camie’s Venmo (@Camie-Smith-14) so I wanted to post it here as well.

After years of being sick, fighting her health and trying to find answers, my sister Camie has finally been diagnosed with an opportunity for treatment. She has undergone three surgeries looking for relief with no success. Over the last year as her symptoms have progressively gotten worse, she was diagnosed with Nutcracker Syndrome, May Thurners Syndrome, and as a byproduct, is developing the symptoms of POTS. Combined, these issues are causing her extreme pain, fatigue, brain fog, nausea, dizziness and stress. Now she has to undergo a fourth surgery, in January called an autotransplant, where the doctors will take her left kidney out and relocate it to the right side of her body. We are hoping that this surgery will relieve the compression on her renal vein and finally give her not only the relief she needs, but also give her her life back. Due to the nature and severity of this surgery, she is required to relocate to Salt Lake City for a few weeks while she recovers. Unfortunately, her insurance does not cover travel or lodging expenses and with the extended time off work, Camie is struggling to afford the extra costs. Camie, her husband Kelly, her two kids, and the rest of her family would be extremely grateful for any help they can get while they work through what is hopefully the last leg of their difficult times.

A little more about Camie:

She has two wonderful full grown kids. Her daughter Lainey and her son Colter. Recently married, Lainey lives close to Camie in Idaho and Colter, in Wyoming, will be getting married himself in April.

When Camie first started having health issues, she started learning about how diet and environment can affect health and has been able to stop a more severe progression of her symptoms with healthier living. Though the doctors suspect that Nutcracker and May Thurners Syndrome were issues she was likely born with.