6 of 11

Write now Article Tools

I was diagnosis with Glomerolnephritis at the age of 14 right when I entered 9th grade.I was an active 14 year old, but one day when I was helping my mother move my aunt noticed that my ankles were swollen. The next day my mother took me to see a doctor and there they told me that I had chronic renal failure from Glomerolnephritis.It seemed that right after I was told that different symptoms started to surface. I began to become fatigued and nauseated almost every day. I went to school but I pushed myself on the good and the bad days.I made it to my senior year in school and graduated. my goal was to go to college despite my weakness and weekly trips to the doctor. The disease finally won and I had to go on dialysis at the age of 18.I did not let diaysis stop me from my goals. I contuinued to go to college in the mornings and then to the clinic to get dialysis in the evenings.Dialysis would drain me and I would become very ill after and sometimes during the treatments.

May 1985 at the age of 20 and two years on dialysis,I received the call I had been praying for. I received a call from the hospital saying that they had a possible kidney for me.I rushed to the hospital and sure enough it was a match. I was now getting a second chance at life. the transplant was a success. Now at 42 I still have the same kidney I received 22 years ago. I believe the success of the longevity of my kidney is due to strict dedication to taking my medications and keeping my follow up appointments with my doctors.Within that time I have given birth to ONE BOY AND HEALTHY TWIN GIRLS.I am now currently on the waiting list again but I have no regrets because I received 22 years of life from this one transplant.I am now waiting to receive my second - second chance at life.

Learn more about this author, Sheraline.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

Add your voice

Know something about Getting a second chance at life: Organ and tissue transplants?
We want to hear your view. Write now!