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Nikki’s Story
For the first 12 years of her life, Nikki was a healthy, active child. She loved traveling and exploring, going on hikes and long bike rides with the family. She was a strong swimmer who also played volleyball and golf. But on November 18, 2010 all of that activity stopped as Nikki was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with a rare autoimmune vasculitis disease known as Granulomatosis with Polyangitis, which caused her kidneys to fail. She now faces a new set of challenges including: a suppressed immune system to keep the vasculitis from harming other organs, many hospital stays, medications, chemotherapy, and a strict regimen of dialysis; which is now 14 hours every day while she awaits the optimal time to have a kidney transplant.

Thankfully; our older daughter, Michelle, is a good match and very excited to give her sister the gift of life by donating one of her kidneys to Nikki. Both Nikki and Michelle are scheduled for transplant surgery September 10, 2013. We are very grateful for the excellent team of doctors and nurses at UCLA. We are preparing for Nikki’s bright future.
A transplant means that Nikki will need anti-rejection medication for the rest of her life. Fortunately, our insurance will pay for most of the surgery but only pays for the medication for three years. When Nikki is 18, it will cost approximately $1500 per month for her medication. Because the anti-rejection medications suppress her immune system the vasculitis will stay in remission and cannot harm the transplanted kidney or any other organ.

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Guestbook

September 10, 2013

You are all in our prayers. We pray for you and your sister every night. God bless you.

Ernie and Sharon Estrada

E.R.Med@usctrojans.com

August 24, 2013

Wes, Nikki and Michelle,

I pray for Nikki often over the years and pray for a successful transplant and that God will provide for Nikki forever!

Robyn Daniels/Moorpark

August 2, 2013

Nikki,
Each day I rejoice in The Lord for giving you the strength and courage you need for that day. I have watched you mature as you have been seeking answers, and finding that your hope and trust must be in God alone, and it gives me peace and confidence that you will be fine, both physically and Spiritually as He walks with you down this path. I love you very much, and I'm proud of you in so many ways.

Dad