I have stage 4 kidney disease. I've been told it will not get better. It will progress to the next stage called end stage kidney failure. End stage means the end! That's final. But I am forward thinking and planning for a kidney transplant now when I'm healthiest and the transplant has the best chance for success. In2011 out of nowhere, just before my daughter left for college, I was diagnosed with amyloidosis a rare condition...1-5 people in 100,000 have it, and of those 1-5 only 1 or 2 are female. The amyloidosis deposits "plaque" in the kidneys, and the build up damages the kidney. I had no symptoms, but a smart doctor noticed an abnormality in a routine blood test. I will always be grateful to her as I'm sure her quick action and accurate identification of a concern led to successful treatment! But at the time, when I returned to my office and looked up amyloidosis on the internet I was sure I would be dead by Christmas.
I cried and cried. Then I stopped, pulled myself tigether, and did everything my doctors told me to do. There were NO approved treatments for this condition. What a surprise to find out I needed chemo-therapy and eventually a stem cell transplant! These are harsh but have been successful in reducing the amyloidosis and stabilizing my health. I have had amazingly wonderful doctors. My sister was immeasurably helpful as a care giver during recovery. But, the damage to my kidney is irreversible. My wonderful daughter is now in law school and I hope to be around for her for some time yet. But I know I will need the transplant. I am not one to complain about my condition. I continued to work full time through my treatments, and I'm still working, and I want to continue working and contributing.

At this time I do not need dialysis. I am terrified of it. I don't think I can do it...

I am humbly asking for a donor. This is a lot to ask. You won't be getting anything back from me except my deep gratitude for giving me life, and the gratitude of my family who have worked hard to keep me with them. I believe those who donate are truly blessed; you would be blessed. I don't know what else to say.