Laura's Journey
Laura's need for a kidney transplant stems from a long, complex medical history that started when she was 13. Here is some of what Laura has experienced over the years.
Severe Aplastic Anemia Diagnosis
At age 13, I was diagnosed with a life-threatening bone marrow failure disorder, severe aplastic anemia. The diagnosis marked the beginning of a life-long health battle. I spent much of my teenage years at C.S. Mott Children’s Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan where an incredible team of doctors and nurses gave me a second chance at life.
What is Severe Aplastic Anemia?
Aplastic anemia affects about one in a million people. Severe aplastic anemia is a rare, life-threatening blood disorder where the bone marrow fails to produce sufficient blood cells (red, white and platelets), due to autoimmune destruction of stem cells. This causes anemia and greatly increases risk of infection and serious bleeding.
How did it impact me?
When I was diagnosed, a bone marrow biopsy indicated I had less than 5% bone marrow remaining. My blood counts were dangerously low, which resulted in fatigue, reduced oxygen delivery, clotting issues and infection susceptibility. I required many blood and platelet transfusions. Between 1999-2014, I was admitted 30 separate times to C.S. Mott Children's Hospital.
Bone Marrow Transplant
At age 18, after enduring two relapses and many years of immunosuppression therapy, my doctors advised me that I would require a bone marrow transplant in order to survive. I was matched with a complete stranger whose bone marrow gave me another chance at life.
What is a bone marrow transplant?
A bone marrow transplant is a procedure that infuses healthy blood-forming stem cells into a person’s body to replace bone marrow that was not producing enough healthy blood cells.
How did it impact me?
In preparation for my bone marrow transplant, I received chemotherapy, and radiation to remove my bone marrow in order to receive bone marrow from my donor. After the transplant, I was put on anti-rejection drugs. Because of those drugs, I continued having many life-threatening infections including Staphylococcus, Aspergillosis, and Sepsis. I also had GVHD (Graft vs. Host Disease). A few months after the transplant, a cancerous tumor (leiomyosarcoma) was discovered in my left calf muscle, likely caused by the effects of radiation. I received chemotherapy and later had surgery to remove the tumor.
Kidney Transplant
At age 30, inspired by the many nurses who cared for me over the years, I graduated with honors from Oakland University's School of Nursing in Rochester Hills, MI. Today, I work as an RN at an internal medicine and pediatric practice where I help others, while I've continued navigating my own health struggles.
At age 40, my doctors determined that my kidney disease was progressing as a direct result of the cumulative effects of chemotherapy, radiation, immunosuppression therapy and antibiotics, which caused irreversible kidney damage.
Now, a kidney transplant is required to save my life.
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