Kelly Rupert

Monessen, Pennsylvania

Age

50

Blood type

B-

On waiting list

No

Receiving dialysis

No

About me

I have a rare kidney disease called Fibrillary Glomerulonephritis. This diseases causes a protein (fibrils) to clog up the filters in my kidneys. It happened very quickly; I was in perfect health in the first half of 2014. By November of the same year I was in Stage 2 renal failure. A biopsy in February 2015 came back with the diagnosis of FG. By that time I was in Stage 3 renal failure. March 2015 I started Peritoneal Dialysis. It didn't work well - It was very painful, and I was retaining fluid, especially in my brain. It is a condition called PRES (posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome).As a result I had seizures, was life-flighted, and had to be put in a medically induced coma until the water was dialyzed and my brain rested. I suffered a temporary short term memory loss but was able to go home from the hospital in a week. I was then put on Hemodialysis 3 times a week. It works, but I get so sick from the dialysis fluid and often vomit the fluid after a treatment. Dialysis makes me weak and nauseous. I have no appetite and have lost close to 100 pounds since diagnosis. My husband had a kidney transplant in 2013. He is immobile, confined to a chair and cannot do much for himself. Taking care of him plus myself is a daily struggle especially when sick from dialysis. If I am fortunate to find a donor and have a successful transplant, I will be able to live my life to the fullest and also be able to assist my ailing husband.