Help Save my Kidneys

Hi, my name is Quinn. It's been two years that I am battling kidney failure. The cause of my kidney failure is lupus nephritis. I was just 25 years old when I was struck down by this disease. I used to be a jolly person, a registered nurse working in a community. I know I couldn't bring back time or beat time either. I have survived the first time it hit me (lupus flares). I was on dialysis for five sessions. Starting that day, I never missed a day without praying. There was no single prayer that I didn't shed a tear for what had happened to me was painful. After a month, the dialysis was terminated. Thank God. My creatinine decreased. I was happy then and thought to continue my life. I was selling peanuts then. I started small because it's a bit difficult for me to have a job. I used to apply once but when the interview went deeper, I couldn't hide from the human resource that I have been hospitalized before. Maybe it's not supposed to be shared. My kidneys aren't really working so good. In fact, in time if left untreated, it can lead to many complications.

I really didn't have the peace of mind for two years. I worry a lot. Sometimes, I'm convincing myself that it's easy to accept defeat or that I can't go on in life. This must be game over for me. As I was trying to live a normal life, I decided to work far away from home. I was seeking a help, something that can provide solutions to my problems. When I searched the internet, I met an online chinese doctor who's expertise is on kidneys. I asked a lot of questions when they visited the Philippines and they advised me to seek immediate treatment or else I'll end up in dialysis forever. I was excited to get a treatment until I asked for the estimated cost. The estimated cost was $5000 to $6000 USD according to Dr. Shirley Lee. The only treatment is in China. They're using Chinese medicines and advance treatment specific for the root cause of the kidney failure such as foot bath, osmotheraphy and immunoabsorption therapy. I became despodent because I knew I didn't have that amount of money.

I was sad but believed that 'till I'm alive, I should not give up hope. I tried to ask help from friends or family but I knew they don't have the kind of amount too. I was thinking, who am I that they'll care to help. I felt worth less. I should be the one helping my family. I should be the one taking care of the sick. I have worked in Quezon City as a care associate. My goal was too raise funds or save some for my treatment. On the fourth month of my stay last year at this company, I started to have migraines. My blood pressure raised to 170/100 mmHg. I started to worry but I started to cope. When I realized that I could not anymore waste my time away from my loved ones, I decided to resign. I was thinking that life is too short to spend it alone. I was hospitalized before my resignation. Good to have been supported by HMO. My hospital bills got settled right away.

I went back home to Zamboanga City to live the rest of my life with my family. On December, 2017, I married my fiance, Leo. We know our lives will never be the same. We were once the old couple full of dreams and hope, and now we're just the best of buddies living life to the fullest. This year, I started having signs and symptoms of lupus again, abdominal discomfort, flactuating blood pressure, nausea and vomiting, joint pains and a lot more. My creatinine went 600 then after a month it turned 800 and just this June it turned 1441. I was feeling dizzy and my face was white as sheet. I found out in my Cbc Test that my red blood cells was only 2.2. My hemoglobin turned 63 and platelets was only 100 something. So that answers why I had some peticheal spots and bruises. I was rushed on the following day to the nearest hospital for an emergency hemodialysis. I wanted not to be treated for I didn't want my husband to spend huge or to worry a lot. We really don't have big savings. I hate to be a burden. Nevertheless, I couldn't bear the tears falling from my husband's eyes. He's so kind and so loving. He don't deserve this. I took a deep breath while tears falling from my very eyes too, "Okay, let's do this dialysis." (Only to prolong my life, even it prolongs my sufferings)

Night on hospital, I was sent to the operating room for the AVF creation and IJ insertion. It was so unforgettable. I was in an excruciating pain. The surgeon used local anesthesia. They dug deeper my left arm flesh. According to Dr. Tamin, my veins was so thin and deep. I suffered my much. He used the retractor and I could feel him pulling up my veins. I couldn't shout out loud. I could only shed tears from my eyes and scream out loud inside. He moved my veins or some arteries and I felt the electricfying sense bumped into the tip of my hand. It's like an electric wave. After the AVF creation, I also suffered from IJ insertion. My blood pressure raised to 200/115 mmHg. After the two operations, I was transferred to the hemodialysis room for a four hour session.

Now I am scheduled for two times a week dialysis. Leo and I are still hoping for a miracle. I talked to Dr. Lee regarding my condition. I said I am still urinating but there's a lot of bubbles. She advised that I still have hopes to be treated as long as I am still urinating. My kidney damage can still be reversed but I need to act as soon as possible. The longer I am on a dialysis, the lesser my chance to be reversed from the damaged. I asked if it still costs $5000 and she replied no because I am already on a dialysis. It's already $10000. I just nod. I am so hopeless. I even threw a joke to Doc Lee if I can work in their hospital.

My friend, Marcus came to visit me at this moment and suggested me to ask assistance or try the Go Fund Me online. I have nothing to lose, only my pride. I have already lost in life, so let me just try to do something for those who's still fighting for me to survive. It takes a lot of courage to beg. Time is running. It's true, though hope is frail it's hard to kill.

May God bless us all.