03/28/2023
Good afternoon!
It’s crazy to think how fast time goes by. It was exactly ONE year ago today when we created this page to help spread the word about Justin’s Kidney Journey. It was ONE year ago that we got the go ahead to start searching for live kidney donors; which was a very emotional moment, but we have high hopes that a donor will come soon.
All we can say is thank you to everyone for their continued support, meals that were provided to us, and all the love everyone has shown. It truly means the world to our family. His journey has reached thousands of people, both on social media and word of mouth, it’s amazing to see!!
I want to loop back around and share his story again explaining the disease he has in case you missed it. Dialysis will be introduced into our lives shortly which will be an adjustment but with everyone’s support, both family and friends, we will make it through the best we can!
Please continue to share and spread the word and contact us with any questions you may have. 😊
jpkidneydonate@gmail.com
Thanks to everyone taking the time to read our story!
Justin & Ashley 💞
Hello everyone!
As some of you may know, Justin has Stage 4 ADPKD (autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease). This is something he was born with, as it is a genetic disease. Normally this disease is more prevalent in older people, but when Justin was 21 years old, he went through chemotherapy, which doctors believed it had sped up the progression of the kidney disease.
Over time, his kidney disease has gotten worse causing his kidneys not to work well enough to keep him alive. This is what he is facing now, his treatment options are limited to dialysis or a kidney transplant.
Getting regular dialysis treatments, usually three times a week for four hours at a time, will help his kidneys do their job and keep him alive, but a transplant would give him more freedom and the ability to live a longer, healthier, more normal life. A transplant would allow him to have more time to do things that he loves the most, like ice fishing, camping and spending time with his family; fiancé Ashley and children, Evelyn (6) and Leo (6 weeks old).
Finding a kidney transplant is not easy. Time is not on our side. Some wait years and many will die waiting. The average wait time right now is 6 years for a kidney from a deceased donor. There is another option: receiving a kidney from a living donor.
We know that asking family members or friends to consider donating a kidney to him is quite difficult, but it greatly improves his chances of getting a transplant. A living kidney donation typically lasts longer and has better function.
For those of you that don’t know a lot about a living donation, here is some basic information about kidney donation:
*You only need one kidney to live a healthy, long life.
*Most donor surgery is done laparoscopically, meaning through tiny incisions.
*The recuperation period is usually fairly quick, generally two weeks.
*The cost of your evaluation and surgery will be covered by my insurance.
*You will have a separate team of healthcare professionals to evaluate you as a living donor. Their job is to help you understand the risks and benefits and look out for YOUR best interests.
Feel free to send him an email at jpkidneydonate@gmail.com if you have any questions or would like more information on how to proceed with the process.
We’d like to thank each and every one of you for taking the time to read his story. If donating a kidney to him is something you would consider, he would be happy to tell you more about his story and determine if you are a match for him!
We are hopeful our efforts will help him to receive a kidney sooner and encourage others to consider helping the many people on the wait list!
Thanks again!
Justin & Ashley
