Malen’s Kidney Transplant: Journey to a Second Life

Greetings of Generosity, and Kindness,

My name is Marylyn Versoza, 35 years old, from Cabuyao City, Laguna, Philippines. Last November 2022, I was diagnosed with Chronic Kidney Disease stage 5. Initially, I was hospitalized due to anemia on November 14, 2022(two days before my birthday). At first, my doctor taught it was dengue, but little did we know it was one of the signs of kidney disease. After several lab tests, the doctors found out that my creatinine is above the normal level, it was 6.43 at the time I was admitted. We've done an ultrasound on my kidney, and they told us that the size of my kidneys is still good, but the function is very low. I was told by my Nephrologist that she wants to test if I have "Lupus", thankfully I was negative. Before I was discharged my creatinine was down to 5 and my doctor advised me that it would be better if we do a kidney biopsy (since my kidney size is still good) so we can know the cause of my high creatinine level. But of course, there's still a risk, and need funds for that procedure, so she allowed us to talk about it first and decide as soon as possible. We decided not to prioritize, hoping that my creatinine will go down through medication.

Unfortunately, before our scheduled check-up I experienced heavy menstruation (with lots of solid blood) resulting in severe headaches and shortness of breath, and my feet starting to swell. This happened less than 5 days after I was discharged. We decided to go to the nearest hospital to check my creatinine and we found out that it was already 9.66 or equivalent to 4%- 5% of my kidney function. We did it twice with different hospitals, and sadly, we got the same lab results. On November 28, 2022, we contacted our Nephrologist to inform her about my condition, she told us that we needed to do an emergency dialysis immediately.

November 29, 2022, around 2:00 O’clock in the morning I told my husband that I can’t sleep because I can't breathe properly, and I felt like I’m drowning (found out later that the reason was there is already water in my lungs). My Husband decided to take me to the hospital. When we were in the hospital, I was very hesitant to have the operation because I felt scared knowing that my life would not be normal as it used to be, so I decided to go back to our house. At 6:00 AM, I had a severe headache, I couldn’t breathe probably because the toxins were starting to spread in my body. They rushed me to the hospital and had my IJV (Internal Jugular Vein) and immediately underwent dialysis.

On December 2022, I had my kidney biopsy. After a month I got the result and based on that, I have Diffuse Global Glomerulosclerosis in which 74% of my kidney samples are not functioning (17 of 23 Glomeruli) and only 26% are Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (6 of 23 Glomeruli) which led to Chronic Kidney Failure. Glomerulosclerosis is a rare type of kidney disease that causes scarring in the filters of the kidneys which leads to Kidney Failure. My Nephrologist told us that we need to do a kidney transplant as soon as possible while there are no complications. The estimated amount given for the kidney transplant is $30,000.00 - $33,000.00 or (1.6M -1.8M in Philippine Peso) including workups, surgeries, medicines, and confinement.

I am sharing my story with all of you hoping and praying that there are people out there who could possibly give me hope to live longer and to be able to have a normal life again. I used to be the breadwinner of our family. I have lived a life full of hardships and pains. After 34 years of my existence, I decided to have my own family but unfortunately, after 10 months of being married, God gave us this trial. Me and my husband are both fighting to continue our lives. To be honest, until now, it's very hard for me to understand my situation, but I know God won't allow this to happen without a purpose.

There are so many fears and worries in my mind, but I know God is with me. He will never leave me nor forsake me. He is faithful to His promise. I know nothing is impossible with God. He is with me from the start until this very moment. I know He still wants me to live so I can fulfill my purpose. I keep on praying to God to give me more strength to fight this disease. With God’s grace and mercy, your prayers, and financial support I know I can surpass this trial. This test will soon be my life’s testimony of God’s unconditional love and mercy.

May you be an instrument of God to help me receive his miracle. ❤️

I am humbly knocking on your generous heart to help me raise funds for my Kidney Transplant. Any amount is a HUGE help. From the bottom of my heart Thank you very much and God bless you all.