My name is Samantha Campbell. At the age of 15, my medical journey began when I was diagnosed with Lupus. Nine years later, I went to the ER for what I thought was a bad cold. Much to my shock, I was admitted and diagnosed with stage 4 renal failure, thus requiring urgent dialysis.
From that day forward, my life changed drastically. It was necessary to adjust my activity level and limit things I loved to do such as playing basketball, going to the gym, participating in different activities with my nieces and nephews, travelling, and counseling youth to change their lives. I felt completely drained after each dialysis treatment. Professionally, I had to cut back on work, which impacted my ability to maintain employment. I felt like people looked at me differently as dialysis was necessary for survival. Understandably, depression began to set in. My only hope for a healthy life was a kidney transplant.
On New Year’s Day 2011, I was in New York City and received that phone call, “Hi, Ms. Campbell. This is UVA Transplant and we have a match for you! How fast can you get here?” 5 hours later, I was in Virginia getting prepped for surgery which took place the following day. I am grateful that my new kidney lasted for 3 ½ years. However, the combination of my lupus and pancreas issues began to attack my transplanted organ. My doctors did all they could do to save the kidney, but continued heavy doses of steroids were not medically-feasible. We then began the waiting game to see how my kidney would respond.
Guestbook
April 16, 2017
Keep your face to the sunshine and the shadows will always fall behind you. <3
Darnell Lamont Walker
April 14, 2017
Love you sweetheart <3
Amy Terrell
April 12, 2017
So sorry your going through this.The almighty have you covered...amen
Irvenia scott
