Sharon Kidney 11 13 20 update

HEART TRANSPLANT

Sharon Kidney is still fighting for her life. She was born with a heart defect and required surgery immediately after birth. She was diagnosed with Dextro-Transposition of the Great Arteries (d-TGA), a congenital heart defect that was exceedingly rare and essentially untreatable. As a result, Sharon endured two lifesaving surgeries at under a day old and at 2.7 years old. As well as many, many follow up visits, testing, and invasive procedures over the years. Beating the survival odds given to her parents by her doctors.

Sharon’s health was reasonably stable for several years, with much medical monitoring and overseeing of physical activities. By the time she was in her late 30’s early 40’s, she was diagnosed with Congestive Heart Failure with Cardiomyopathy and Paroxysmal Atrial Fibrillation (A-Fib) and A-Flutter (AFL). At age 49 Doctors told her a heart transplant is the only option.

Sharon is a single mother of 1 daughter, piecemealed jobs together for several years, then had a 20-year career in property management. Being a property manager for more than 17 of those 20 years before stepping down to assistant manager, due to her health. However, in August of 2019, her declining health forced her to stop working completely, further adding to her financial burdens.

Sharon’s Transplant was on September 18th, 2019. It has not been a smooth recovery. She still faces significant expenses related to the transplant surgery and side effects. For the rest of her life, she will need follow-up care and anti-rejection medications. Post-transplant medications are tremendously expensive. Her rejection level is at a steady level 2, out of a 0-3 range. Which means more testing. more finding and more treatments. She has been hospitalized 4 times since her transplant. Her driver’s license was medically revoked due to Ataxia. She’s had several minor infections: shingles (twice), Gastro, rashes, etc., related to being immunosuppressed (rejection medications). She has a blood clot in a leg vein, swollen legs, and a Brain Aneurysm.

During this difficult time, Sharon is grateful for all the love and support of her family, friends, numerous health care professionals and supporters like you that help keep her alive. Thank you for your generosity!

Sharon wants nothing more than to be in better health, have more energy, a better quality of life, and be more involved with her family, friends, and community.

But right now, she needs your help.

Patient Health Institute: Massachusetts General https://www.massgene