Two Sisters. One Fight. One Gone Too Soon.
It all begins with an idea.
My sister Cathy began battling Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) at just 24. For years, she weathered an unimaginable storm: dialysis, two kidney transplants—the first one failed—and devastating complications. At 35, her kidneys stopped filtering. Her abdomen, fingers, and toes turned black as her body struggled to stay alive.
The incredible team at Grant Medical Center in Columbus, Ohio, performed life-saving surgery, removing dying tissue and pulling her back from the brink. But the battle never really ended. Cathy fought for years until a sudden heart attack took her life at 45. My brave, beautiful sister was gone too soon.
And then, just one year after her death, I started my own fight.
The fatigue, dizziness, and chest pressure doctors brushed off at first. But something in me knew. Maybe because I had seen it before. After pushing for answers, tests began to show signs of kidney dysfunction. My eGFR dropped, my kidneys showed mild atrophy, and I began facing the very same storm Cathy had weathered for years.
CKD doesn’t always give loud warnings. Sometimes it creeps in silently until it’s almost too late.
💔 Cathy didn’t get the time she deserved.
💚 But I’m still here. And I will fight. For her. For me. For anyone else who is still being dismissed.
My Plea: Pay Attention to the Invisible Illness
Kidney disease is often invisible until it isn’t. Please empower yourself and loved ones by paying attention to the quiet signs of kidney distress.
Key Symptoms to Watch For:
Persistent and unusual fatigue
Swelling in your legs, ankles, or around your eyes
Dull pain in the back and lower abdomen
Changes in urine color or foaminess, despite adequate fluid intake
Any abnormal lab results (especially high creatinine or low eGFR)
Your experience matters. Your persistence saves lives. Don't let your voice be dismissed.
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