My kidney story is one of optimism and perseverance, luck and gratitude, setbacks and comebacks, and a lot of love.
I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when I was 5 years old and developed kidney disease in my late 20s as a result of diabetic nephropathy. I vividly remember the appointment when the entire ‘Green Team’ sat me down and told me my kidneys were failing, and that dialysis and a transplant were in my near future.
I was disheartened; I figured this would happen at some point in my lifetime but really didn’t think it would be so soon. I kept this diagnosis to myself for a while, unaccepting of it, but also believed I was invincible. When I finally did share the news with my family and friends, I was overwhelmed by the love and support, and those willing to donate a kidney.
It was my mom, my hero, who was a perfect match. This is when ‘my story’ became ‘our story’.
We are proud to have had a successful kidney transplant in October 2015. By January, my mom was back playing tennis and I was back at school finishing my PhD. Although separated by a few provinces, we share a rare and special mother-daughter bond and are forever connected through love and ‘our’ kidney.