I can recall that day like it was yesterday. I was preparing to facilitate a meeting at work, and I answered a phone call that would change my life. “Your kidney disease has progressed, and your kidney function has extremely declined. You need to prepare to go on dialysis very soon.”
“Thank you” was all I could say, and I hung up.
No one wants to hear at age 30 the devastating news from your doctor that your kidneys are failing and you must either go on dialysis, get a transplant, or possibly die. After only being married a year, I had to tell my husband the impending news. The life I’d lived, taking care of everyone else and barely caring for myself, finally caught up with me.
Every emotion was going through my mind as I managed to make it through my meeting and prepare myself to tell my husband. All I could think was I can change this, it’s not true, I can fix anything! Not only was I a newlywed and a caregiver to my mom, but I was also a master’s student barely a year into my program. So much for me to think about. Why me!?
When I told my husband, my biggest supporter, he said—as always—that we would get through this. We went to holistic doctors; we went vegan for 2 months; I got listed for a kidney transplant at two hospitals; I posted on social media asking for transplant candidates. I was determined that I would not go on dialysis, but it was too late.
On Saturday, October 12, 2019, my husband and I were attending a “Kidney Smart” class. I barely made it through before I began to feel so weak. My husband took me to the emergency room, and I was admitted and started emergency dialysis right there in the hospital. After a week-long hospital stay and weeks of instruction at DaVita, my husband and best friend were trained on home peritoneal dialysis. We turned my home into a dialysis center as my husband and friend would hook me up to the cycling machine to filter my blood for 8 hours every single night.
When I got the news in August 2019 that my kidney disease had progressed, I took a leave of absence from school. I told my professor it was too much for me to be in school right now and that I needed a break. Thankfully, it was an online program so I never went to class, but I still had to consistently post to discussion boards. He wished me well and told me that not only did he have a friend who had gotten a transplant, but my professor was planning to be an organ donor for someone. I asked him to pray for me as I didn’t have a donor and was hoping I could come back to school.
Fast forward to July 2020. I decided it was time I go back to school despite being on dialysis; this would be a new normal. When I returned to school, I started with the same class and had the same professor. About a week into my course, I received an email from my professor saying he wanted to speak to me and to give him my best contact information. When we spoke, he asked if I had found a kidney donor yet. I told him no, I hadn’t, and things were not looking good for me with finding one. He said that he had been tested and cleared to be a donor for a child who lived in the area, but the child had a few options. Then he told me he was available to be my kidney donor if we were match.
I was so happy but so anxious. I gave my professor my transplant center’s information. Within a few weeks he was tested, and we were a match! I’d found my kidney donor! On November 9, 2020, I met my professor and his wife for the first time in person. They drove 2 hours from Virginia Beach, Virginia, to Richmond, Virginia, where we would have the operation the next day. It went perfectly.
What about that degree?
January 2021, I decided to go back and finish what I’d started. After starting and stopping, I was determined to never give up. In May 2022, I graduated with my master’s in education, and that degree, in a strange twist of fate, ended up saving my life. It’s funny how people say, in reference to finding your life partner, “That degree is not going to keep you warm at night.” In my case, that degree did so much more.
Leave a Comment
Tonya says
Fabulously Inspiring! So glad to read of your good fortune. It confirms that even in debris of delay, goodness is still a thing and miracles are still happening!
Chazley Williams says
Yess he is always on time 💗💗 Thank you !!
Brenda Bussell says
My baby sister is going through the same thing 😢. Thanks for keeping me up lifed.
Michaele White-Risbrook says
Thank you for your incredible example of Knowing that you would Rise above appearances. Your faith brought your healing in unexpected ways. You honored You by completing your Masters, even better prepared to be of service to others. Thank you.
Chazley Williams says
Thank you so much 💚
Sharon Moore says
What an awesome story (testimony). My husband is also on dialysis and waiting for a donor so hearing your story gave me a little more hope today. I know God is faithful and will deliver it on time. Be blessed my sister, and thanks for sharing.
Chazley Williams says
Please tell him to keep the faith, it will come when it’s least expected. Thank you so much 💗💗
Stacy Smith says
God bless you for sharing such a touching story and may he continue to watch over you!
Chazley Williams says
Thank you so much 💗💗
Janet Landry says
What a blessing! I’m so happy for you and wish you and your donor all the best. Continued good health to you all.🙏🏽🙌🏽
Chazley Williams says
Thank you so much 💗💗
JP says
Just wow… Such an inspiring story! We never know who God will use to bring our blessings!
Chazley Williams says
Yess! So true . Thank you so much 💗💗
Robin Holland says
Your story is amazing. I am so glad everything worked out for you!
Chazley Williams says
Thank you so much 💗💗
Ashley Brodie says
You already know you’re a big inspirational influence in my life, I am so proud of you and all that you have overcame and accomplished! Love you dearly friend!!!❤
Chazley Williams says
This means so much ! Love you always 💗and thank you for all of your support .
Lisa says
Praise God! For we know “ for all things work together for those who love God, and called according to his purpose”. So happy that this was the ending to that chapter of your life.
Chazley Williams says
Yess, I love this. Thank you so much 💗💗
KM says
Such an inspiring story! It reminds us to never give up.
Chazley Williams says
Thank you so much 💗💗
Elise Garland says
You know I remember you as a young child from your mom, getting her hair done by me. I am very proud of you you always have shown strength 💪 so God has blessed you to be an inspiration to others ❤. Keep sharing your story. I can see you speaking on kidney disorders to give others hope.
Chazley Williams says
Thank you so much, so many memories on that salon 💗💗
Angela Williams says
This is a powerful testimony! God is a faithful God and he is always on time. ❤️
Chazley Williams says
Thank you ☺️💗
Angela Rhodes says
I love reading about your story. Life is so amazingly full of surprises and nothing is ever just cause ! I’m so grateful you continue to live and thrive !
Linda Fox says
My son has had three kidney transplants, the first from his dad and the other two none related donors. All the while on dialysis in between transplant. He was a firefighter for 23 years, retiring a couple of years ago. He was blessed to be on a fire department that knew he was on dialysis but kept him on. I’m glad to hear you hung in there and everything worked out for the good for you.