About Fabio’s Mom
I received a living unrelated kidney transplant from my best friend from college in 2011. I am now in need of a new transplant as that kidney fails. I started this blog to share my experience with kidney disease, kidney transplant, and being a person waiting for transplant. My deepest hope is to inspire, infosupport
Learn More
Websites about transplant, kidney disease and kidney donation
https://www.gwhospital.com/conditions-services/transplant-institute/gift-of-life
https://www.kidney.org
https://www.findakidney.org
https://www.kidneyregistry.org
FAQs
What can you do when your kidneys don’t work?
When a person’s own kidneys stop functioning, they need renal replacement therapy (something that filters waste from their blood and allows them to remain healthy.) One method for replacing lost kidney function is to go on dialysis. Learn more about dialysis at: https://www.kidney.org/atoz/atozTopic_Dialysis
Another, usually better and less costly option is to get a kidney transplant. Kidney transplants can occur with kidneys from recently deceased donors (national UNOS wait list) or from living donors. UNOS wait list is currently 3-5 years long, and people regularly die while waiting for transplant on the list. Living donor transplants are much quicker, healthier and last longer, but they are quite difficult to find. Living donation is simpler, more flexible and low risk; however most people are not aware of this fact.
What is a kidney transplant?
A kidney transplant is a surgery in which the surgeon places a new kidney, either from a living donor, or from a recently deceased person into your abdomen to function as your own kidney. Learn more about transplant at: https://www.kidney.org/atoz/atozTopic_Transplantation. As I listed above, there is a great need for living donors in organ transplant. If you are interested in learning more, please hit the “Donate” button on this page. It does not mean you need to donate, but that is where the contacts are listed.
Why do you need a kidney transplant, Fabio’s Mom?
When I was in college, I was diagnosed with a chronic kidney disease called Polycystic Kidney Disease. At that time, because of complications of the disease, they had to take out one of my kidneys because of infection. In the subsequent years, my other kidney began to bleed and have severe pain, resulting in the need for that kidney to be removed and me to receive a transplant 11 years ago. In January of 2021, following a Covid vaccination (likely a coincidence), I developed a severe infection in my transplanted kidney (Fabio) and Fabio the Fabulous Kidney began to shut down. I am in need of another kidney transplant to survive and go back to living my life again.
How can I help?
There are so many ways, big and small, to help me or anyone else like me who needs a kidney transplant!
- Get screened for living kidney donation
- Pass the word about my (and others’) need for living donors
- Donate to defray my medical expenses on this page, or donate to kidney organizations such as National Kidney Foundation, the American Transplant Foundation and the Polycystic Kidney Research Foundation. (click the Donate button to get their email addresses)
About Polycystic Kidney Disease
