On a cold December day in 1995, Melissa was rushed to the emergency room with incredible low-back pain and a very high fever. She was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease (PKD); a progressive and genetic disorder where cysts form in the kidneys causing them to enlarge, and eventually shut down and fail. She has been on dialysis since 2005, and both of her kidneys had to be removed because they weighed over 25 lbs.
During the past eight years, Melissa has undergone numerous surgeries and medical procedures. In 2011, she had open heart surgery and a mechanical valve implant, due to a growth in her mitral valve from her long-term dialysis and kidney disease. She is still at risk for a stroke and heart attack, and is being monitored for a second open heart surgery, in the near future. Melissa’s only hope to survive and resume a normal life is to undergo a kidney transplant. The kidney transplant will be lifesaving for Melissa, but the costs are more than she can handle alone.
Updates (1)
December 6, 2014
Yesterday was a little rougher than usual for her on dialysis, physically. Emotionally, she was soaring with the Eagles from the outpouring of support from everyone. She just wanted me to pass her deepest appreciation along. You can't imagine the pain she endures while on dialysis, so anything that lifts her spirits is "Aces" in my book.
Please remember to share her link on Facebook and encourage folks to sign her guestbook, and to donate when you can,
Thanks,
Dave
Guestbook
March 1, 2015
Still praying and hoping, Melissa. Wishing you the best always.
Lots of love!
Donnie & Kathy
December 15, 2014
Melissa, you and your family are in my prayers. Stay strong you have lot's of people who care and are pulling for you!! Hugs!
Juliann (Julie) Flynn
December 15, 2014
Prayers heading your way Melissa...Stay strong!
~Jimmy Lunsford
(Quail Run Kids)
Jimmy Lunsford
