March 10, 2015

On February 5th, 2015 I got some news from my doctors that my transplanted kidney was experiencing acute rejection. They performed a biopsy to determine cause, extent of damage and treatment. I was admitted into UCLA the very same day to start a seven day of Thymoglobulin Intravenous treatment. I was released from hospital only to return as an emergency patient five hours later with a massive reaction to treatment which resulted in four more days in isolation at the hospital. I was released once again on February 17th. I began weekly visits with my transplant team at UCLA Medical center to make sure kidney was functioning okay. On March 1st, I got some bad news that treatment did not work and kidney started fluctuating in function once again. They discovered through more tests that my antibody cells are having a reaction with organ and therefore I had to begin a much more aggressive and hard-core treatment on March 4th called Plasmapheresis. (Plasmapheresis is a process in which the liquid in the blood, or plasma, is separated from the cells. In sick people, plasma can contain antibodies that attack the immune system. A machine removes the affected plasma and replaces it with good plasma, or a plasma substitute) I have to undergo this treatment (like dialysis) three days a week for a month. This is a very intense treatment that is making feel awful everyday and can barely function, very weak and tired all the time. So this will be month two of me not being able to work at all. I need your help getting through this serious and rough period in life. Once again I am reaching out to family, friends and peers to lend a hand. Any amount of donation is appreciated, needed and welcome! Every dollar adds up and will allow me to heal faster with no stress. I thank you for your time and support. Thank you for your love and support