Hello there and thank you for visiting our team page. Before we get to my story, let me tell you a bit about me. My name is Chasitty Willow. I am our team captain. I am now 44 years young, have 3 children and a granddaughter. I love the beach, books, movies and food. I have the most amazing family, the best friends, and couldn't love life more. I thank God everyday for my blessings, but, sometimes life can come with obstacles, and I have had to face some of those obstacles.
Six years. It seems crazy to think it's been six years since my life changed forever. Things with my health began to decline. One day sitting in my cubicle at work, my nose started bleeding profusely. That moment was the beginning. Over the next six months I faced nose bleeds, chronic yeast infections, extreme thirst and other symptoms all without realizing what was happening. After not getting answers, or results, I made the decision to switch physicians. Ultimately, that decision may have saved my life.
After making an appointment with my new physician, she ordered a full workup. She later told me she had a relative idea what was happening, but needed my labs to confirm. After 24 hours my labs were back, and shock doesn't seem like a big enough description of what I felt. I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, hypercalcemia, and metabolic acidosis. The biggest shock was that the protein content in my urine was coming in at a whopping 2,477mg (normal is 150mg or less). My Doc immediately scheduled an appointment with a Nephrologist. The biggest shock was yet to come.
I arrived at the Nephrologist ready for answers. I was poked, prodded, had a renal ultrasound, x-rays and a slew of more labs. The next 24 hours were the longest of my life. The results were in. In addition to all my other diagnosis, it was confirmed that I had stage 2 kidney disease. After crying, getting angry, being afraid, and going numb, I did the only thing left, I accepted this was my new reality. I looked my specialist in the eyes and said "what do I have to do, I'll do whatever I have to". He stared back at me and said, "Good, because we have some hard work to do." That was six years ago.
My journey with this disease hasn't been easy. I've faced hair loss, nausea, vomiting, leg cramps, temperature fluctuations, itching, diarrhea, constipation, fatigue and tiredness. I've endured infusions, med changes, constant labs, numerous specialist visits, diet changes and a plethora of other life changes. The strange thing, all of it was worth it to get where I am. I will do whatever it takes to live this extraordinary life. Life is a gift, and I refuse to give it up easily.
My team walks for others like me. My team walks so that when the time comes, people like me will have someone to turn to. My team walks for those who need or have received a transplant. My team walks for a cure. My team walks for LIFE. Please consider donation, not only for myself, but for the thousands of kidney patients that need help.
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