Elvira Gomez

Hammond, IN

Great Lakes Transplant Fund

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2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Road
Radnor, PA 19087

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Help Hope Live for Elvira Gomez

My name is Elvira Gomez, and I recently celebrated my 60th birthday. I thank God for blessing me to see this year. I have struggled for several years with health problems, but I’ve learned to manage all the issues the best that I can. Unfortunately, five years ago I was diagnosed with end-stage kidney failure. I receive hemodialysis treatments. In case you didn’t know, dialysis is a process of removing all waste products and excess fluid from my blood since the functions of my kidneys are no longer working. It’s a machine that filters and purifies, saving my life. It keeps my system chemically balanced, and regulates my blood pressure, giving me a chance to live. Having something that can prolong my life for more years is a blessing; although it’s tiring, and causes some discomfort, I’m grateful to have this option available. Going to a center for dialysis treatment has become my second home. I’ve enjoyed the company of other patients and staff. I’ve learned so much about them and even learned from them. I spend three hours every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at the dialysis center, this is why I consider it my second home. My first home is where I rest and try to enjoy the things I like. Spending my time with my family is most favorite thing to do. I have two daughters, Alejandra and Elvia, and three beautiful grandchildren, Isabel, Savannah, and Oliver. They are my life-saving treatment too. They bring me back to life even on my hardest days. Outside of dialysis treatment, I like to spend my time listening to music, cooking for my family, and going to church on Sundays. I used to love to stay active and busy, at one point I worked three jobs while raising my daughters and in my free time, if I could find some, I would dance. That was my life. I liked to move around and get things done. I would push through everything for my daughters. Since being diagnosed and attending treatments, I attempted to continue working. Unfortunately, because of the treatments, my body was tired, and I didn’t have the same energy as I did before. I had to let go of my job of 20 years. It was heartbreaking for me, but my body couldn’t handle it anymore. There are days when I find it difficult to get out of bed. Not because I don’t want to but because my body feels drained, weakened or I feel sick and nauseous from the treatments. I don’t cook as much as I did or stay as active as I once was. I do rest as much as possible and take walks when I can. I get out for small shopping trips and doctor visits. I enjoy accompanying my daughters on car rides and my grandchildren’s school events. Even on my most tired days, I am not missing out on them.

Kidney failure comes with diet restrictions, I’ve learned to eat healthy and I’m proud of how well I have been doing. Even my doctors say that I am doing well. Sometimes I joke around and tell my family the doctors want me to look like a Barbie doll. The only issue is the limit of fluid I intake. Since my kidneys don’t function like a healthy one, I can only drink 32 ounces of fluid a day. It doesn’t feel like it’s enough. So please drink your water and stay hydrated!

I dream of finding a donor to gift me their kidney and I can start feeling like myself again. A little less tired and have more energy. I would even go back to work again. I miss it so much. Just to be able to do things I did before with no issues. I also want to be able to have much more time to be able to watch my grandkids grow up. I want to be able to watch every achievement and see them meet every new milestone. I want to be there for them as they get older.

I have created this fundraiser with the help of (Carla ) and my family for my kidney transplant. I am currently on the waiting list but because I am not working, I do not have the funds that are required. I will be having a lot of expenses with traveling because I currently live 2 1/2 hours away from Indianapolis which is where my transplant will take place. With my family having younger kids, work, and school schedules they can’t travel back and forth to the appointments required after surgery. It will be multiple times a week for a minimum of three months, and it will be difficult for them. As much as they want to help, it will be a lot of stress on them. The plan is to stay at a rehabilitation center while I recover and complete the doctor visits until they are not required to be as often and easier to travel to. Hoping they are no longer than the three months. Any donations will be greatly appreciated. If you cannot donate, I just ask for prayers and to share this with others.

Family and friends of Elvira Gomez are raising money for the nonprofit Help Hope Live to fund uninsured medical expenses associated with a Transplant. Elvira has chosen to fundraise with Help Hope Live in part because donations are tax deductible for contributors and will only be used to cover medical and related expenses.