My journey began with something I never expected would change my life so deeply—Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE), an autoimmune disease.

Living with SLE was not easy. Lupus is a disease where the body’s immune system, which is supposed to protect us from infections and illness, mistakenly attacks its own healthy tissues and organs. At the beginning, I did not fully understand how much this disease could affect my life. I was simply trying to understand what was happening to my own body and learn how to live with a condition that I could not always see or control.

As time went on, my lupus began affecting my kidneys. What started as an autoimmune disease eventually became a serious kidney problem. My kidney function continued to decline, and I was eventually diagnosed with advanced kidney disease. It was heartbreaking and frightening to realize that an illness I had been living with was now threatening one of the most important functions of my body.

There were many moments when I asked myself, “Why is this happening to me?” I had to face a reality I never imagined for myself—that I might eventually need dialysis and a kidney transplant.

Eventually, my kidneys could no longer do enough of their job, and I had to start dialysis.

Dialysis became a completely different chapter of my life. It meant regular treatments, hospital visits, physical exhaustion, and many emotional struggles. My life began revolving around my health and my treatment schedule. There were days when I felt strong, but there were also days when I felt tired, scared, and uncertain about what would happen next.

But even during those difficult days, I continued to fight and hold on to hope. Then came the long and frightening wait for a kidney transplant. I knew that receiving a new kidney could give me the chance to live without dialysis, but I also knew that finding a donor was not something I could simply take for granted.

And then, something truly beautiful happened. My family became my greatest blessing. A family member was willing to make the incredible sacrifice of becoming my living kidney donor. During one of the most difficult seasons of my life, someone I loved was willing to give me a part of themselves so that I could have another chance at life.

On October 15, 2025, I received my living-donor kidney transplant.

My story began with SLE. It took me through kidney disease, dialysis, fear, uncertainty, and waiting—but it eventually brought me to a second chance at life.

Today, I don’t look at my journey only as a story of illness. I see it as a story of faith, family, sacrifice, perseverance, and hope.

I went from asking, “How will I get through this?” to being able to say, “I was given another chance.” ❤️🙏