Everyone has a story and I'm no different. At one and a half years old I came down with an unexplained high fever and abdominal pain. Through tests the doctors found that I had a blockage at the tip of my bladder that was causing urine to back up in to my kidneys. The doctors performed surgery to remove the blockage, but my kidneys sustained permanent damage and I was diagnosed with chronic renal failure. It was also at this time the doctors found that I had a third pelvic kidney, which would end up being a blessing.
Throughout my childhood I endured multiple major surgeries and spent many weeks in the hospital and recovering at home. Even through all of this, my parents made sure I had an enjoyable and active childhood.
When I was 19 years old I suddenly became extremely ill and eventually my body went into septic shock. I was admitted into the intensive care unit and placed on a respirator. My body was quickly shutting down and my outcome looked dim. But through prayers my condition started to improve drastically, and eventually I was released from the hospital. Due to the septic shock my kidneys sustained further damage which contributed to my chronic renal failure progressing to end-stage renal disease sooner than expected. My third pelvic kidney sustained me from needing a transplant for many years.
My family and I have been blessed with floods of support, prayers, and thoughts throughout my life that I will forever be grateful for. With the passion of wanting to honor my mother's gift, help other transplant patients and their families, and to be an advocate for the very thing that saved my life - organ donation, I founded the My Angel Foundation. My loving mother’s gift provides me the chance to help others and pass on the blessings that I have received throughout my life!
I encourage you to join us in our journey! Please feel free to drop me an email at ted <(at)> myangelfoundation <(dot)> org!
