Nicole Ross

LIVING Kidney DONOR NEEDED

In need of Living Kidney Donor

Hello,

My name is Nicole, and I am hoping to find a kidney donor.

I’m 40 years old, happily married with one son still at home and I’ve been a nurse for 16 years.

At the age of 15, I was diagnosed with Nephrotic syndrome which later became membranous nephropathy. I was told then it was an autoimmune disease meaning it is not curable and one day I would need a transplant and/or dialysis. Unfortunately, my kidneys spill a lot of protein which causes more damage. Over the years, I have watched my kidney function continue to decline slowly despite my best efforts. Now my doctor says my best chance of survival is a living kidney donor.

Since 1994, I have been dreading reaching this point. After all these years, you would think I would be well prepped but there really is no preparation for this. My husband works as a towboat captain, His job puts him on the water for 6 months a year, leaving our son and I at home. With my growing medical bills it worries me that my husband might be home even less so he can financially care for us. My worry grows for my son with the increasing pressure to stay home and help me. Sometimes, I think my nursing experience and knowledge only makes it worse. I know what can happen and just how bad it can get but because of this, I am also able to be thankful for what I have and appreciative for the many blessings I’ve had in my life. Thus far I think I have managed well, and it may even be surprising to many people who know me to find out about my health, I just didn’t want it to define me.

Being open about my health is difficult for me. Asking for someone to be my kidney donor is even harder but I know I would want my family and friends to have the strength to ask. I know I’m no more deserving than anyone’s neighbor but I have to have the strength to ask.

I am on the waiting list for a kidney, however that can often take years to get a match especially with my blood type (O+). Getting a living donor would extend my life. I’d like to see my son graduate high school and meet my grandchildren. A living donor transplant would increase my chance for survival and increase my life to do just that. I would be grateful if you could help me find a match by getting tested or sharing this information with your own network of friends, family, and community.

I sincerely thank you,

Nicole Ross

Previous Next