The “Unbroken” SHERIDAN
Aloha, my name is Lindsey and I am making this GoFundMe for my sister, SHERIDAN MAHELONA.
For those of you who do not know, Sheridan was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) at the age of 13. Before diagnosis, we knew something was wrong. She would fall asleep on car rides shorter than five minutes, sit on any shelf she could find in any store, she was just always tired. For someone so full of life and so active in sports, things were quickly changing. The doctor's initially thought she has leukemia and did a bone marrow biopsy of a spinal tap and many other test. Thankfully, that was ruled out. She missed her entire second semester of seventh grade year due to being in the hospital for a month and waiting even longer for a final Diagnosis of SLE.
Since her diagnosis, her life has never been the same. She has had numerous hospital stays, countless doctors' appointments, at least 10 blood transfusions, 2 years of chemotherapy, 2 years of antibody therapy, and so many other treatments. Sheridan then went on to miss her entire first semester of her junior year in high school as well. Sheridan is currently taking 15 medications a day. One of her medications, which she needs to continue for the rest of her life, comes in (after insurance) at an astounding $1000 for a month supply.
Despite her medical setbacks, Sheridan still managed to play sports in high school. She never allowed her medical challenges to define who she was or set her back. During her sophomore year of high school (2008), she led her softball team, Pac-5, to victory, pitching while throwing up in between innings in the dug out. Again, on the night of her graduation ceremony from University Laboratory School (2010), she made the ultimate sacrifice to forgo her graduation ceremony and play in the Hawaii High School Athletic Association Softball Championship. She led her team to victory yet again and was blessed enough to have her principal present her with her high school diploma at home plate, live on OC16. She showed up for her team when her team needed her most. What better way to end your high school career? Shortly after, she was hospitalized again.
In 2014, she was officially in End-Stage Renal Failure and began dialysis treatments. For almost five years she has been doing dialysis 10 hours a day 7 days a week. However, In July of 2019, she lost all residual function, sending her to the hospital twice, for the first time, since starting dialysis. Now, Sheridan does 2 manual exchanges of dialysis during the day, in addition to her machine, for a total of 18 hours of dialysis a day. Not only does she spend all this time monitoring her dialysis treatments, Sheridan also works full time and due to constant medical setbacks is still a full time college student.
For one who is never feeling well and constantly sick, one must ask how? How does she do this with a smile on her face? The only answer to that is God's love. She often refers to the quote, "God doesn't give us what we can handle, God helps us handle what we are given." It is this quote, right here that allows her to stay positive through it all and keep pushing.
Sheridan now resides in Colorado with her boyfriend Jordan and her dog Buster and by the Grace of God has found a kidney match from a living donor. She will receive the most precious gift of life in early 2020 in Hawai'i. Although this is way more than anyone could ever ask for the battle is not yet over. Sheridan will need to remain in Hawai'i and be away from home for at least 6 months following her transplant. She will be unable to work and provide income to take care of her medical costs and daily responsibilities and bills. Being that her body is already under so much stress, it is best to allow for the smoothest transition and recovery to help with no rejection and time to heal completely, in Jesus name, by keeping stress levels to an ultimate low.
Having gone through my own daughter's open heart surgery stresses, worries, and medical cost burdens (still with 3 insurances), it is something I do not wish for anyone else to have to endure. With so many family and friends wanting to help, I thought what better way for all of us to come together as a family, a team. We will be able to help alleviate stress and financial worries, and help her stay positive emotionally to allow for the foundation of a great recovery. Sheridan has never asked for anything and has always been a fighter. After all she has gone through she has never once complained. In fact, I can recall a time when we were all just sitting down for dinner. My dad had made our plates and as we sat, Sheridan dropped her drink and just stared at us so blankly, so empty, yet screaming for help. She was having a stroke. Mom called the doctor who told us to take her straight to the emergency room. Mom and Dad dropped everything and got ready to leave but Sheridan said, "No, you eat first because I know we will be there for a long time and I will be ok." Always has she been the most humble person I have known. I unfortunately am not the one able to give her a kidney however, I will do everything I can to help take as much off her plate. Anything helps, a prayer, a share, a donation. Will you join our team and be there for her like she was there for her team? Please join us as we are forever grateful. Mahalo for reading my story about my sister Sheridan Mahelona.
