If you’re reading this, you probably know my health journey over the years. When I really pause and think about it, I’ve realized I have been living with Lupus Nephritis for 17 years now, since I was 16. For however much you know, or however much you’ve followed, I most importantly want to say thank you. Your love and support is something I have embraced and felt over the years, no matter how big or small, in helping me grow and maintain hope and strength.
I’m proud to say that after 17 years of steroids and various trials of chemotherapy and medications over the years, I have managed and made it this far, as I had always been told my kidney was expected to fail around age 25. With the help of everyone around me, especially Robbie, Mommy, and Daddy, lots of learning, and a pretty strict diet and life, I kept my kidneys at bay until now, at the age of 33! While there have been many ups and many downs in managing lupus and kidney disease, I remain so very grateful for the life I have lived so far, and all the people I have met along the way.
Unfortunately, I’ve come to learn one of the biggest effects on kidneys, other than diet, is stress, and this past year, I found myself in a few too many unexpected and severely stressful situations that just pushed my little kidneys to the max. So here I am, with kidneys now functioning at 13%; stage five kidney disease, and officially in failure, looking for a transplant. The sad truth is the waitlist is approximately 10 years in California and most likely from a deceased person, which is not the ideal option for a successful transplant.
I am having a really hard time coming to terms with allowing myself to receive the offer to test for a match, but if you are interested in testing, UCLA (where I’m being treated) has a very thorough process and recourses to help you with navigating making the decision/seeing if you’re a match. Additionally, I believe if one’s kidney isn’t a direct blood type match, if willing, a potential donor could participate in the voucher program in which they donate on my behalf, which in turn bumps me to the top of the list (link provided below for more explanation). I of course don’t have any expectation around any of this, just gratitude for even an offer and wanting to help, and give me a second chance at life. Obviously it is a big decision to donate, but I am relieved to share that kidney transplants currently have a 98% success rate, and was reassured first hand from a kidney donor that a donor’s life is not expected to be compromised post surgery.
This is the link, to test: www.uclakidneydonor.org (
http://www.uclakidneydonor.org) And I have a team of people who are open and available to anyone who has questions or wants to talk through anything. My kidney doctor, my renal advisor, a kidney donor and a kidney recipient - I will attach their information. Their stories and knowledge are very positive and encouraging.
Additionally to note, it’s my understanding Medicare/UCLA/CORE kidney cover medical costs and have various virtual events I plan to attend if you would want to learn more.
online donor survey at: www.uclakidneydonor.org, thank you so much
As I enter into this last phase of end stage renal disease, I really appreciate everyone’s outreach and support. I’m not asking you to feel sorry for me, but if you’d like to help me or know someone who does, please let me know. While at first I was really sad and demoralized to have gotten to this point, I’m starting to feel hopeful for the other side of it all, but recognize i really cannot do it alone. And as I navigate these steps and learn more, I will be able to share more ways in which I think you can help - if you want to be updated, I plan to post on my caring bridge website here:
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kidney4krista (
https://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kidney4krista)
I’m so lucky to have each of you behind me, I hold your friendship and love deeply in my heart.
Also if you’d like to draw me a picture of a flourishing kidney and mail it to me, that would be make me happy too.
Thank you for reading this and for your love.
Love, krista lemon marie olive yu
Donor link
www.uclakidneydonor.org (
http://www.uclakidneydonor.org)
https://www.uclahealth.org/transplants/kidney/preparing-for-transplantVoucher info link
https://www.ucsfhealth.org/programs/living-kidney-donor-programs (
https://www.ucsfhealth.org/programs/living-kidney-donor-programs?fbclid=IwAR3Nt3r3QF5Onqc1rsnhLdJ4EL-n8r0h1HPl8u8rqGWJemhQfhyJvYnwq8o)
Kidney team contacts
Brian Gilliam (kidney donor) 657 269 9142
Marc coronel (kidney recipient) 323 559 7047
(his story can be found at:
https://youtu.be/leQYtiYupsE and
https://connect.uclahealth.org/2022/07/13/ucla-kidney-transplant-patient-now-fights-for-a-new-cause/)
Joe (transplant support and kidney educator) 424 325 8663
Dr. Rastogi (nephrologist) arastogi@mednet.ucla.edu (mailto:arastogi@mednet.ucla.edu) // rastogiadmin@mednet.ucla.edu (mailto:rastogiadmin@mednet.ucla.edu)
CORE kidney education seminars through UCLA
Please join us for these very useful, FREE educational programs.
Contact us: COREKidney@mednet.ucla.edu | 310-954-2692
Please visit us: www.uclahealth.org/CORE-Kidney/ (
http://www.uclahealth.org/CORE-Kidney/)
NATIONAL KIDNEY FOUNDATION
https://www.kidney.org/atoz/content/kidney-transplantLUPUS
Information on learning about lupus
https://lupusla.org/https://www.lupus.org/ 
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