My Road to a Kidney
Donation protected
For those of you who are close to me you know that in late November I was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease (IgA nephropathy that resulted in FSGS ) and I was told I need a kidney transplant.
After aggressive treatment with steroids (from which I have had every side effect imaginable from broken bones, hyperglycemia, hypertensive crisis, and GI bleed which resulted in an ICU stay) the damage has slowed down, but my kidney function is teetering at about 11% . Dialysis is imminent.
I still work full time as an RN, but have missed close to two months of work the past 6 months between hospitalization, my mother's death, steroid side effects, and fracturing my foot. I'm drowning in debt and unpaid hospital bills despite having insurance. I'm currently being sued by the hospital I work at for unpaid medical bills.
Unfortunately, I'm only at the beginning of this journey. I'm slated for surgery in one to two months. Surgery I need in order to be accepted on a transplant list. I will be out of work again for one month at 50% pay.
I'm not sure how I can do this without help. I feel like this is tantamount to standing at the side of the road with a help me sign, but unfortunately this is where I am at: a full time nurse with insurance in America.
I can't continue to make choices between doctor's visits, meds, now surgery and food, rent, and bills.
Anything will be helpful, even if it is just healing vibes.
After aggressive treatment with steroids (from which I have had every side effect imaginable from broken bones, hyperglycemia, hypertensive crisis, and GI bleed which resulted in an ICU stay) the damage has slowed down, but my kidney function is teetering at about 11% . Dialysis is imminent.
I still work full time as an RN, but have missed close to two months of work the past 6 months between hospitalization, my mother's death, steroid side effects, and fracturing my foot. I'm drowning in debt and unpaid hospital bills despite having insurance. I'm currently being sued by the hospital I work at for unpaid medical bills.
Unfortunately, I'm only at the beginning of this journey. I'm slated for surgery in one to two months. Surgery I need in order to be accepted on a transplant list. I will be out of work again for one month at 50% pay.
I'm not sure how I can do this without help. I feel like this is tantamount to standing at the side of the road with a help me sign, but unfortunately this is where I am at: a full time nurse with insurance in America.
I can't continue to make choices between doctor's visits, meds, now surgery and food, rent, and bills.
Anything will be helpful, even if it is just healing vibes.
Organizer
Kris Patton
Organizer
Alexandria, VA