Emi’s Journey- Living w/ IGAN

10/02/2025

REWIND ⏪

11/10/24-11/26/24

IGAN for Emi was a slow progressing disease, and at its peak it was wreaking havoc on Emi’s insides.

20lbs-30lbs that fluctuated daily. She was uncomfortable in her own skin. Edema made even the simplest of tasks extremely difficult.

During these times no medicine was working, her labs were worse and she was growing in size.

IGAN is a complex, completely unpredictable disease that affects everyone different.

This is Emi’s story ❤️

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06/23/2025

Rewind ⏮️⏮️⏮️

11/5/24-11/8/24

These were some of the most confusing days. Lots of information was being thrown about and before I could gather my thoughts to ask questions the whole plan shifted.

Each new day brought different challenges. Emi’s blood pressure was extremely hypertensive. She was started on amlodipine, hydrochlorothiazide, prednisone, azathioprine, miralax and famotidine.

These medicines were going to treat her fluid retention, high blood pressure, constipation, and protect her stomach.

During these days Emi had either an ultrasound or scan daily.

Her disease was progressing, but SLOW at this time. The medicines were working. But little did we know, only for a short time.

Emi was discharged 11/8/24 in the afternoon. The next 5 days spent at home were the worst 5 days. Emi came home too soon…..

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06/04/2025

Rewind ⏮️⏮️⏮️

11/1/24-11/4/24

Emi arrived around lunch to Riley Children's Health. She was immediately hooked up to O2, heart monitors and IV lines placed.

Emi’s disease affects her vascular system. Since veins are an integral part of that, it was incredibly hard for the nurses to get a good poke in her vein. I estimate they attempted roughly 10 times in two different arms, in three different locations. This was no fault of theirs, just Emi’s disease making things just a little harder.

The next three days…we waited……and waited. Tests were done multiple times a day during this time, so many conversations about declining lab results. It all showed in her body and what her body tried to get rid of. She was rapidly declining, and her body gave us ALL the signs.

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05/31/2025

Rewind ⏮️⏮️⏮️

10/31/24

10 days after being diagnosed with lower left lobe pneumonia. Emi finished her antibiotic and steroid oral course.

She was still extremely lethargic even with the steroids. Her appetite decreased & she she wasn’t better.

For the 3rd time we headed straight to Parkview Regional Medical Center. This time I packed a bag, I refused to leave this time without answers.

This visit Emi’s blood pressure was very high, her lab results were trending down from the last two visits and her health was declining.

This visit lasted 8 hours before Riley Children's Health was contacted. A call was put out for an ambulance ride so she was monitored during the journey.

We stayed the night in the ER Parkview Health, until the next day 11/1/24 @ 12pm before she was finally picked up to be transported.

Here is where her heart wrenching journey starts to begin…. 🥺

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05/13/2025

REWIND⏮️⏮️⏮️

10/21/24

It’s now been 5 days since she was diagnosed with HSP. Over the course of those days she developed a wet cough and runny nose. But something still didn’t feel right. I did a full body check and within 24 hours her rash had drastically changed along with new symptoms.

We headed straight to Parkview Regional Medical Center for a second time.

After 8 hours of tests, doctors and talking. Emi was diagnosed with lower left lobe pneumonia. This time she was sent home with steroids and antibiotics to take over a course of 7 days.

I wasnt satisfied. I was angry.

There were so many signs of something more, and so many hidden signs my non medical mind couldnt puzzle together. (At least not yet.)

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05/01/2025

REWIND ⏮️⏮️⏮️

10/16/24

I picked Emi up @ 6:30am from her dad’s visit.

You know when you look into your kids eyes and before you even have to think it you just KNOW something is wrong. Like wrong wrong….

This is that morning, something inside me knew it was more. Something strange, a knot in my stomach. A feeling I honestly can’t pinpoint.

I got her straight home and did an inspection. No fever. Normal pulse. But that’s all the tools I had to check her. I wasn’t prepared for anything out of the normal.

Then I did a full body inspection. That’s when I found her rash.

My mom gut immediately knew what this was, I’ve seen it before. Almost 10 years ago with my son!

We packed our stuff and headed straight to Parkview Regional Medical Center After multiple tests, blood tests and doctors later, what my gut knew was confirmed. It was Henoch-Schönlein purpura. Her BP was elevated but normal, her BUN was high and her calcium was way too low. She tested negative for strep/flu/covid. Something was off.

Emi was sent home after 6 1/2 hours in the ER. With no medications and with the advice to rest.

This seemed very odd to me. My son spent a week in the PICU on multiple high dose steroids and antibiotics. But she’s going home with nothing?

At this point still no fever. Her fatigue had increased and she was not my stinky Emi. 💔 But I wasnt giving up, i knew there was something more…

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04/30/2025

Or roughly the size of your fist ✊🏼🐭

Your kidneys may be small—each about the size of a computer mouse—but they do big work! These powerful organs filter your blood, balance fluids, and support overall health.

04/30/2025

REWIND⏮️⏮️⏮️

This photo of Emi was taken on 10/13/24. My sons birthday to be exact!

While this may look normal to you, I promise it’s not. Looking back I dont know how I missed it 😥

In this photo Emi was sick. But not sick sick. (If you know what i mean.)
The kind where there was NO fever, no vomiting, no blood.

She was lethargic. Extremely lethargic compared to her normal self. It was a feat getting her to stay up after school and lasting through until bedtime.

She had zero interest in hobbys, going outside or even bowling for her brother’s birthday.

She was living with this disease all on her own, because we didnt know the signs or symptoms.



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04/30/2025

💙 Welcome! 💙

If you’re here it’s because you know my daughter Emi Meeks! (And you’re better for it 😜)

She’s my eight year old who is who diagnosed with IGAN.

If you don’t know what IGAN is, it’s a disease of the kidneys and the immune system.

You’ll also hear it being called glomerular disease, Berger disease or synpharyngitic glomerulonephritis disease.

Glomeri are the tiny filters in your kidneys that help filter waste from the blood. When your kidneys can’t filter properly this crescendos into a plethora of health problems.

Little is known about this disease. But ESPECIALLY in children.

We are here to spread the word on glomerular disease, and to help find a cure. 🔬🧪

From the mom of the bravest 8 year old I know 💙
-Brooke Meeks