Friends and Family… we invite you to use this site as a forum for recent updates about Maria and her health. If you wish to lend a helping hand, opportunities to do so will be featured here under “Ways to Help”. We appreciate your support and words of hope and encouragement. Thank you for being with us on this journey!
MARIA'S STORY:
Maria Katrine Mercado Korionoff, known by many of you as “Tinette'', and by an elite few as “Mama”, is fearless. She would never describe herself as “fearless”, but we know a lot of people who would wholeheartedly agree. This fortitude has very little to do with her kidney-related struggles, and much to do with her character, built through a childhood in the Philippines and a lifetime in the United States, a marriage, motherhood, and more. She has made a positive impact wherever she’s gone; in our schools, neighborhoods, workplaces, church communities, and of course, in our home. Maria says that her enduring faith in our Awesome God gives her strength, comfort, and hope. So many of you have heard her share her beautiful voice at Mass, either as a dedicated choir member or leading the congregation as cantor. The “elite few” who call her “Mama” are actually many… friends who have become family who see her as a nurturer and protector and pusher of excellent foods even when you’re “not hungry” or “already had dinner”. This woman’s kindness extends across this earth, quite literally, when looking at all of you, near and far, who have taken the time to read this, know her struggle, and celebrate her tenacity.
In October of 2002, Maria was first diagnosed with Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), a disease in which scar tissue develops on the parts of the kidneys that filter waste from the blood, that then progressed to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). In January of 2003, her kidneys failed and she was started on hemodialysis (several hours long, 3-4 times weekly), then later switched to peritoneal dialysis (overnight, daily). Surgery is required to start both of these treatments, not to mention the set-up, the equipment, the time, the cost, and the side-effects are unpleasant, to say the least.
And yet, she persevered, because that’s just what Warrior Queens do. She received her first kidney transplant on December 5th, 2003 in the Philippines, where we were able to find a donor sooner than in the States. This kidney lasted 15½ years, and for that we are so grateful.
It was not until 2016 that we would discover that her ailment was actually an immunological disorder called IgA Nephropathy, also known as Berger's Disease. This occurs when an antibody called immunoglobulin A (IgA) builds up in the kidneys, resulting in local inflammation that, over time, can hamper the kidneys' ability to filter waste from blood. It is typically a slow, but chronic progression/recurrence. In July of 2019, we learned that the new kidney, after working hard for nearly 16 amazing years, had failed. Maria was put back on hemodialysis for a time, until she could be switched to peritoneal dialysis again.
It has been 2 years of daily dialysis, battling countless side effects from handfuls of medication, regular injections, fighting off illness after illness worsened by immunocompromisation. It has been challenging. But in our family, we learn, adapt, persist, overcome. We laugh about it, cry about it, worry about it, fight about it. We love each other hard. And we're ready to help our Mama get well, so we can continue crushing life's challenges for as long as possible.
On June 8th, 2021, we finally received word that Maria is on the National Kidney Transplant List, according to the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, AZ! As thrilled as we are for this milestone, there is still much yet to plan for. We want to be able to accept a kidney as soon as one comes available, as well as the cost that comes with major surgery and ongoing treatment.
How can you help? Share Maria's story, her CaringBridge Site, her GoFundMe (link in "Ways to Help"). Donate if you can. Check here for updates. And most of all, keep praying for her health and well-being the way she does for all of you.
Again, we thank you for all the LOVE. God is good all the time, and all the time, God is good!
CaringBridge is a nonprofit social network dedicated to helping family and friends communicate with and support loved ones during a health journey. Learn more about CaringBridge.
