Jean Habdank

LIVING Kidney DONOR NEEDED

My sister and I knew that my father died from kidney failure at age 77 but had no idea that it was genetic. I’m a vey young 69 and found out 3 years ago that I had kidney disease and needed dialysis, as would my younger sister. Though I was healthy and physically active, this made no difference. With my diagnosis, I found out that I had one miniature sized kidney that couldn’t be biopsied due to possible cancer and needed to be removed. After the nephrectomy, they biopsied my kidney to find that I had FSGS, Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis. This is when glomeruli are damaged causing protein leaks into the urine, high blood pressure, high cholesteol, lower albumin and edema. Since my sister also has the disease, we presume it was genetic. Prior to this I was very healthy.
Having EKD (end stage kidney disease) is very limiting because I must receive dialysis 3 times per week for 3 hours each time in order to survive. It’s not impossible to go on vacation in the U.S. but arrangements must be made with your social worker to make dialysis arrangements where ever you go. My life is tethered to a machine! I’m extremely tired after dialysis and have to nap daily. Even though I push myself to go to the gym, do my shopping , cleaning and errands, I have to succumb to the daily nap. Not only must I receive dialysis 3 times per week for 3 hours each time, but I need to be checked yearly by 5 doctors and have numerous tests (20 vial blood tests, stress tests, breath tests, Pap tests, mammograms, shots, etc). Not only is the dialysis exhausting but the yearly tests take 2 months and are debilitating!
Since I am widowed, active and self reliant, I would like normalcy back where I could be independent and not rely on a machine for life! A live donor kidney would be the greatest gift of life that one could give and greatly appreciated.

My dialysis is life saving and necessary. I spend 3 hour 3 times a week (12 hours) tethered to a machine. This limits my ability to travel, makes me too tired to work and takes up a lot of time during my 3 days to be productive with projects. Since I’m widowed, retired and on a liited income, I’m responsible for everything in my home and life. I love my family, grandchildren and friends and this limits my time with them and my activities of going to the gym and walking.

My friends know that I’m in the process of looking for kidney kidney donor but many are unaware.
I need a kidney transplant. But the average wait time for a kidney transplant while on the deceased donor waiting list is 3-10 years. Living kidney donation is the best option to help me get off the waiting list and live a healthier life. That’s why I am writing to all of you. I am in need of someone to donate a kidney to me. What most people don’t know is that you only need one kidney to live a healthy life! I would appreciate it if you would consider donating your kidney and/or sharing this post to get the word out for me! That would mean so much! Thank you all for your time.”

Previous Next