Things took a turn for the worse when my kidneys began to failed due to Sepsis. For seven grueling years, I endured Hemo-Dialysis, three sometimes 4 times a week. The toll was not just physical but emotional and mental. Dialysis was a relentless routine that drained me—hours spent hooked to a life saving machine, restricted diets, and the overwhelming exhaustion that became my norm. Every trip to the dialysis center was a stark reminder of the fragility of my health. Through it all, my now ex-husband stood by me, an anchor of unwavering support, while my family provided endless encouragement. They reminded me to hold onto hope, even when I felt it slipping away.

The wait for a transplant was one of the hardest parts. The emotional rollercoaster of potential matches that didn’t materialize, combined with the fear of what might happen if an organ didn’t come in time, was almost too much to bear. During the 7 year wait; there were twelve or thirteen offer calls that never materialized. For an array of reasons. But I refused to give up. I clung to the belief that my miracle was out there, even when the odds felt impossible.

In 2015, that miracle finally arrived. A young donor hero gave me the ultimate gift—a second chance at life. The eleven-hour transplant surgery was grueling, but when I woke up, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude and transformation. For the first time in decades, I was free from the chains of diabetes and dialysis. It felt as if I had been given a new life, one that I was determined to live to the fullest.

The journey to recovery wasn’t without its challenges. The scars, both physical and emotional, tell the story of what I endured. Each one reminds me of the pain I faced, but also the resilience I found within myself to keep going. I proudly carry them as symbols of my victory over circumstances that once seemed insurmountable.

Now, I embrace the title of "Transplant Warrior." My experience has given me a new purpose: to inspire others who are still in the trenches of their own battles. I return to the dialysis center from time to time, not as a patient, but as a source of hope. I share my story to remind others that even in the darkest moments, there is light on the horizon.

This journey has profoundly shaped me. It has taught me to never take life for granted, to cherish every moment, and to honor the incredible gift from my donor and his family. Their selfless act saved my life, and I strive to live each day in a way that honors his legacy.

Today, I am living proof that even when life feels impossibly hard, miracles can happen. My scars are a testament to the battles I’ve won and the new beginning I’ve been given. This journey has been my greatest challenge and my greatest triumph, and I am grateful every day for the strength, love, and hope that brought me to where I am now. Living my life to the fullest each and every day possible thanks to organ donation. 

 

I work with several groups focused on transplantation based on my own personal experience.

​

The Transplant Forum – Columbia University, CUMC, Executive and Benefit Committees Member

Hearts For Russ — Board Member

United Network For Organ Sharing (UNOS) - Ambassador

Donate Life NY - Advisory Council

National Kidney Foundation (NKF) - Peer Mentor

National Kidney Donation Organization (NKDO) - Member