Vivian’s Journey to a New Kidney: Rare but Strong

05/08/2026

Since arriving Tuesday, nephrologist on call,
Dr. Randa Razzouk has been wonderful and truly listening to all of our concerns. She understands that Vivian’s situation is very complex and is looking into every possibility to help find answers. We also have been blessed with the most caring and sweetest nurse, Janete at the 3P Nurses station on the Pavillion Tower.
Over the past few days Vivian has gone through many tests, scans, new medications, and this morning she will have both GI scopes done. They have also started IV Epogen treatments, three times a day intravenously to help raise her hemoglobin levels.
These past ten months have been emotionally, physically, and mentally exhausting for our family. We continue praying for answers, for healing, and that Vivian will soon be strong enough to be placed on the transplant list.
Thank you all for your prayers, love, and support. It means more than you will ever know. ❤️🙏🏻

05/06/2026

Vivian's hemoglobin dropped from 8.5 to 7.5 over the last few days, which helps explain why she's been feeling so weak, short of breath, and exhausted.
The doctors are working to figure out what's causing the drop and how to treat it.
Please continue to keep her in your prayers as we wait for answers and next steps.
For a healthy teenage female, normal hemoglobin is usually around: 12.0-15.5 g/dL
In someone with stage 5 kidney disease or on dialysis, doctors often accept slightly lower numbers because anemia is very common.10-11.5 g/dL

8.5 = already significantly anemic

• 7.5 = severe anemia range for many patients
That's because hemoglobin carries oxygen throughout the body, so when it drops, the heart and lungs have to work much harder

We are so grateful for the amazing care Vivian receives at Cook Children’s Medical Center here in Ft. Worth. She is always treated with so much compassion and kindness. We truly feel she is receiving nothing but the very best care.
Thank you all so much for your love and support .💙🤍🩵

05/05/2026

Yesterday, we were asked to return to Ft. Worth this morning so Vivian can be seen in the ER and admitted to the hospital for the next few days. The symptoms she’s been dealing with are not typical for someone on dialysis right now, and although her labs look stable, doctors still don’t have answers as to what’s causing everything she’s going through.

We’re praying that she’s able to be seen, checked thoroughly, and tested for anything that might help lead to answers.
Please keep Vivian in your prayers, that the doctors are guided, that they find the cause, and most of all, that she can start to feel some relief and comfort soon.
Thank you for your continued support and for keeping us in your prayers. It truly means more than words can express.
With much love,
The Hernandez Family 💙

05/04/2026

Thank you so much to Laura, her family, and dear friends Maribel, Rose, Yvonne, & Valerie for coming together to support us during this time. We are truly grateful and appreciate it more than words can say.

If you’d like to place an order, please feel free to reach out to me as well. 💙

05/03/2026

Update:

Many of you have been asking about Vivian and how she’s been doing since her last visit, so I wanted to share an update after we spent all day Thursday in the ER.
Vivian continues to struggle with extreme fatigue, nausea, and vomiting, which used to be only in the mornings but now lasts throughout the day. Over the past few months, she has also developed episodes of rapid heart rate, and just this past week, shortness of breath.
She’s been wearing a heart monitor, and we’re waiting on answers. We’ve also been referred to a hematologist after noticing bruising, hoping they can help us understand what’s going on after seeing so many specialists without clear answers.
Because of her condition, Vivian will no longer be able to attend school in person this year. She’s been doing her best to keep up online.
Watching her go through this has been incredibly hard, and I haven’t been able to stay consistent with work while caring for her and managing everything she needs.
We are holding onto our faith and praying she will heal and return strong for the 2026–2027 school year.❤️

If you’re able, please continue to keep Vivian in your prayers and share her journey with others. Your love, support, and prayers truly mean everything to us.

05/03/2026

Just needing 5 more orders to complete the sheet.
Place yours today!! Thank you!💙🕯️

05/02/2026

Friends & family,
** FRIENDS & FAMILY**

I’ll be submitting my first candle order today at 3pm.
If you’d like to order, just let me know!
We’re so grateful for your support for Vivian 💙🕯️

**FRIENDS & FAMILY**

We are selling Candle Cafe candles as a fundraiser, for Vivian 🕯️

She is currently on her journey to receive a kidney transplant at Cook Children’s in Fort Worth, and every purchase truly helps our family with the many expenses ahead.

✨ 16 oz candles – $15.75 each
✨ 15 amazing spring scents to choose from

Scents available:
Blueberry Muffins
Butt Naked V2
Baja Cactus
Bougie
Cinilla V2
Clean Cotton
Firecracker
Leather
A Little Grace
Mini Mischief
Orange Agave
Over-sprayed Cowboy
Pomegranate
Soul Mate
Strawberries N’ Cream

These candles smell SO good and make perfect gifts too!
If you’d like to support, you can comment, message me, or send your order directly. Shipping is also available for an additional charge.

We accept Cash, Check, Venmo & Cash App💳
PLEASE SHARE

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love, prayers, and support. It means more than you know 💙

04/29/2026

**FRIENDS & FAMILY**

We are selling Candle Cafe candles as a fundraiser, for Vivian 🕯️

She is currently on her journey to receive a kidney transplant at Cook Children’s in Fort Worth, and every purchase truly helps our family with the many expenses ahead.

✨ 16 oz candles – $15.75 each
✨ 15 amazing spring scents to choose from

Scents available:
Blueberry Muffins
Butt Naked V2
Baja Cactus
Bougie
Cinilla V2
Clean Cotton
Firecracker
Leather
A Little Grace
Mini Mischief
Orange Agave
Over-sprayed Cowboy
Pomegranate
Soul Mate
Strawberries N’ Cream

These candles smell SO good and make perfect gifts too!
If you’d like to support, you can comment, message me, or send your order directly. Shipping is also available for an additional charge.

We accept Cash, Check, Venmo & Cash App💳
PLEASE SHARE

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your love, prayers, and support. It means more than you know 💙

04/29/2026

Trip #17
Another full, nonstop week in Fort Worth with appointments, tests, and time spent with the entire transplant team. Vivian hasn't been feeling well and continues to fight through daily fatigue, pain, nausea, and vomiting. It's hard to watch, but she keeps pushing through with so much strength. Her case will be presented to the transplant committee on Monday. We are praying with all our hearts that she is approved to be placed on the transplant list.

Thank you, Pam (Tia Mom), for being right there with us, and thank you to everyone who continues to pray, check in, and support us. It truly means more than words can say.

04/23/2026

What started as just another doctor’s appointment on April 15, 2025… followed by labs and an ultrasound in June… quickly turned into news that changed our world.
Today we meet the transplant surgeon and the entire transplant team for the first time.
Since the day Vivian was born, she has faced so much, born with a rare condition affecting only 300–500 people in the world, and now an even rarer kidney disease. Together, she could be the first documented case… and through it all, she remains so strong.
She has never complained. Never questioned God.
Even through nightly dialysis, constant fatigue, nausea, and everything her body is going through… she keeps pushing forward, even continuing her schoolwork from home when she can.

I’m truly in awe of her strength!!
Her strength is what keeps me going… because I am the weak one.

This morning, I ask that you please keep Vivian, our family, and her amazing medical team in your prayers.

Thank you all for your continued love and support. We feel it every day. 💙

04/07/2026

Thank you for your continued prayers!!❤️
She looked a lot better last night after receiving some Zofran & IV fluids. Ct scan showed everything to be in place so we don’t know why she continues with her symptoms.
Always with a positive attitude and smart remarks “if this was a sport, I’d be an Olympic Champion by now” 😀💪🏻 🇺🇸🥇