Top Tweets for #thedonor

Yo. Sorry for long message but just wanted to provide a personal update and this may be the only one I ever do. I debated doing this, but I don’t really have much of a choice. I have kidney failure. We’ve determined it’s permanent and won’t get better. My GFR (kidney function) hovers around 13-15. That’s stage 5. I feel ok. Some days I’m exhausted, some days I feel pretty normal. We have done numerous tests, blood work, scans, a failed biopsy, and doctors appointments every other week to try and figure out the cause. We have had no luck. It’s very rare to have this happen at 30. Being in a state of limbo and not knowing where you stand is tough. But I also consider myself pretty tough and coming on here and interacting with you guys daily has been a gift that I am so thankful for. From the Friar fans, to the very nasty UConn fans that make fun of me, to everyone in between. It makes me feel normal and helps me forget the biggest struggle I’ve had to endure in my lifetime. I say “we” a lot because I genuinely feel profoundly lucky to have the support system that I have. Today, I had a meeting with a different nephrologist to start to look at potential options for a kidney transplant. The wait list is 5-6 years for a deceased donor. That is a long time. Years come off your life from dialysis treatment and just having kidney failure in general. A living donor would increase my chances of survival and quality of life ten fold. I am not asking for money. I’m not asking for pity. Plain and simple: I need a kidney. I’m simply asking for the word to be spread around in hopes a donor will step up. I know. It’s a big ask. This is such a powerful community and I believe anything is possible. Nothing will happen soon. I have to have another dozen or so tests at RI hospital to make sure I’m eligible. This is going to be a battle. But anything helps. A like, a retweet, whatever. I intend to hang around long enough to see the Providence College Friars win a national championship. Thank you for reading. I love you all, even the trolls!