Find a Kidney For Marissa

05/08/2026

***Kidney Transplant Update***

Hello everyone 🤗 I wanted to share an update on my kidney transplant journey and what the next few weeks look like for Mike and me.

On May 12th, my husband, Mike Lisowski, will spend the entire day at Tampa General Hospital completing testing to see if he can become my living kidney donor. His testing will run from 6:45 AM until approximately 4:30 PM. The process is extremely thorough and is designed to determine not only whether he is a match for me, but also whether he is healthy enough to safely donate a kidney.

His evaluation includes:

*Extensive blood work and antibody testing

*Kidney and abdominal imaging

*Heart testing, including EKG/ECG

and possibly a stress test

*Cancer screenings

*A full psychological evaluation.

I know firsthand how intense and emotionally exhausting transplant testing can be because I’ve gone through these evaluations multiple times myself.

I’m incredibly grateful to have Mike standing beside me through all of this. Truthfully, I worry more about him than I do myself — and of course, he worries more about me.

Please keep both of us in your prayers.

Then, on May 21st, I return to Tampa General Hospital for what should be my final evaluation test:

a Lexiscan nuclear medicine stress test.

This is a 3–4 hour imaging procedure used to evaluate blood flow to the heart and check for coronary artery disease without requiring treadmill exercise.

The test uses medication called Lexiscan (regadenoson), along with a radioactive tracer and specialized imaging.

I’m very nervous about this test because no other transplant center has required it, and my heart rate is typically over 100 due to several ongoing health conditions. I’m praying that won’t interfere with the results.

Once my testing is complete, my case will be reviewed by the transplant committee for approval. If everything comes back normal, my file is expected to go before the committee on May 27th. Mike’s case will also be reviewed once all of his testing is finished.

This is now my fourth time going through the kidney transplant evaluation process, and it never gets easier emotionally. It’s difficult knowing that so much of our future depends on decisions made by a committee reviewing medical files and test results. Still, I continue to hold onto faith and believe that God will make a way for me.

I have now been actively listed on the UNOS kidney transplant waiting list for over four years. If Mike is unable to become my living donor, I believe I may still be getting closer to another deceased donor kidney offer. I did receive my first kidney offer in June of last year, but unfortunately I had a kidney infection at the time and was unable to accept it.

As many of you know, I am also approaching Stage 5 kidney failure. My current kidney function is approximately 16%. Doctors typically begin dialysis preparation once kidney function falls below 20%, because dialysis often becomes necessary when function drops to 15% or lower or symptoms become severe.

This reality has been incredibly overwhelming and emotionally draining. My greatest hope is to receive a preemptive kidney transplant before dialysis becomes necessary.

Unfortunately, the financial burden continues to be extremely difficult. Our insurance only fully covers annual transplant testing through the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, which is my primary listing center. Any additional testing required by other transplant hospitals for multi-listing comes completely out of pocket.

Between ongoing testing, travel, medical expenses, and trying to navigate this disease while disabled, it has taken a significant toll on my mental and emotional health.

Living with a progressive incurable disease while fighting to stay healthy enough for transplant is exhausting.

If you are unable to donate financially to my kidney transplant medical fundraiser, I would be deeply grateful if you could simply share my story on your page.

Every share helps create awareness and increases the chance that my fundraiser reaches someone who may be able to help.

Every donation, every share, every prayer, and every kind message truly means more to me than I can possibly express.Thank you all for continuing to support us through this journey.

I will continue to keep everyone updated as we move through this next stage.❤️

Help Me Fight Stage 4 Polycystic Kidney Disease My name … Marissa Lisowski needs your support for Support Marissa Lisowski's Kidney Transplant Journey

04/24/2026

Had an MRA scan today (it’s basically a special type of imaging test that looks at blood vessels, especially to check for things like aneurysms—weak spots in arteries that can be dangerous if they burst).

A ruptured brain aneurysm is a medical emergency that is fatal in about 50% of cases. Roughly 15% of individuals die before reaching the hospital, and a ruptured aneurysm often results in severe, permanent neurological damage for those who survive. Immediate medical intervention is critical.

For those who don’t know, aneurysms are actually more common in people like me who have Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). PKD doesn’t just affect the kidneys—it can also weaken blood vessel walls throughout the body, especially in the brain. Because of that, doctors like to check every few years to make sure nothing risky is developing.

I couldn’t resist taking a selfie in the oversized (but kinda cute 😂) scrubs I had to wear for almost 4 hours!

My appointment was at 1:45, I got there early at 1:15… and didn’t leave until 5:00. They were super backed up but never told anyone, so a bunch of us were just sitting there waiting for the same machine. We all started joking that we were “scrub buddies” at that point.

Now, here’s where it gets frustrating…

My transplant doctor originally ordered the scan “with and without contrast” (contrast is a dye they inject through an IV to help see things more clearly). So they put an IV in my arm… and then I sat there for THREE HOURS with it in, just waiting.

For context, contrast makes me feel awful—dizzy and nauseous—because my kidney function is low. That’s why my dad drove me, just in case I got sick afterward.

After hours of waiting, I finally get called back… only to be told they don’t even do this test with contrast.

So I’m like… “Then why has this IV been in my arm for 3 hours??” 🤦‍♀️

Turns out, nobody communicated. Not when they scheduled me, not when I checked in, not when they prepped me. They just saw “contrast” on the order and went with it.

To make things more complicated, my transplant team originally ordered the test, but I had the county clinic rewrite the order because insurance wouldn't cover it. Mike works for the county and an amazing perk is being able to go to a free health clinic. Unfortunately, most transplant hospitals want you to test there on their own machines, but, I was able to get them to agree for me to get this specific test done locally to me. But, to cause even more confusion, because the script was rewritten they couldn't call the transplant hospital, they needed to contact the county clinic to rewrite the order AGAIN without contrast while I sat there waiting… another hour.

And even after being told they couldn't use contrast on this test, they continued to make me wait that extra hour for the new fax while the IV was STILL in my arm!

Finally, they receive the fax and removed the IV, did the scan (without contrast), and I went home.

Good news: I didn’t need the contrast, so I didn’t get sick.

Bad news: my 76-year-old dad sat there for 4 hours for no reason, because I could have driven myself if they had just communicated properly. (I'm sorry Dad, thank you for waiting with me❤️🙏).

Now I’m just hoping my transplant team says the images without contrast are good enough… because I really don’t want to go through that again.

Also, small but very real concern: if they do find an aneurysm, they sometimes have to shave part of your hair to treat it… and I’m not gonna lie, I’m way more emotionally attached to my bangs than I probably should be 😂 I’d be ordering a wig immediately.

All jokes aside, the whole experience was just a mess from start to finish. I even saw other people dealing with the same thing—long waits, confusion, people being called back after waiting hours or even being told to come back another day.

I have another appointment there on May 1st, and I’m seriously considering switching locations after today.

For now, I'll wait for results (probably Monday) and I’ll be calling my transplant team first thing tomorrow.

Fingers crossed everything looks good 🤞

04/21/2026

💯 truth 👇

04/20/2026

Well, I know why I felt awful during my kidney evaluation, another kidney infection. Urine culture came back positive. Trying to get ahold of someone, anyone, to get myself back on antibiotics but it's not looking good. They told me to go to urgent care / emergency but I'm not paying a copay of $150 when they can just call it into my pharmacy. No appointments until May 4 for my P*P and no appointments for local nephrologist for 2 weeks. I can't wait that long. Hopefully someone gets back to me by tomorrow morning. But, here we go again ... Another 10 days of feeling like 💩.

04/20/2026

Please help me reach my goal
gofund.me/3b74bbb72 ❤️🙏

04/20/2026

gofund.me/3b74bbb72

04/17/2026

***UPDATE PLEASE READ🙏***

Tomorrow morning, Mike and I head to Tampa General Hospital, and I honestly don’t even know how to put into words how I’m feeling right now. Anxious doesn’t even begin to cover it.

Mike will be starting the first steps to see if he can become my living kidney donor. They’ll be doing extensive blood work—checking antibodies, tissue matching, and making sure he’s even a possible match for me. We already know we share the same blood type (I’m B+ and he’s B-), which is a good start, but there’s still so much more that has to line up. They’ll also be testing his kidney and liver function to make sure he’s healthy enough to even be considered.

As for me… my day is going to be long, overwhelming, and honestly really scary.

I start at 10:30am, and my dad will be driving us since he’ll be my caregiver through all of this if Mike becomes my donor. I want him to meet the transplant team too, because this isn’t just my journey—it affects all of us.

I’ll be meeting with the transplant surgeon first. I’ve already looked her up, and she has great experience, especially with PKD patients, which gives me some comfort. But at the same time, this is where things get complicated for me.

A kidney transplant will extend my life—I know that, and I want to live. But in my case, a transplant alone won’t fix the daily suffering I live with. Without a double nephrectomy (removal of both diseased kidneys), my quality of life stays the same… and that’s the part that breaks me.

I live every single day in pain. Severe, chronic pain. I deal with unpredictable cyst ruptures that land me in the ER, constant kidney infections, and recurring UTIs that require strong antibiotics. Those antibiotics don’t just treat infections—they drain every ounce of energy I have left.

And the truth is, I don’t have much energy to begin with.

My kidneys are failing, and when your kidneys stop doing their job—filtering toxins and waste from your blood—those toxins just stay in your body. They build up. They make you feel sick all the time… nauseous, exhausted, foggy, just completely unwell. It’s like your body is slowly poisoning itself.

When kidney function drops to around 15–10%, dialysis becomes your only lifeline unless you receive a transplant beforehand. That’s why finding a living donor is so critical for me. Because once your kidneys fail completely, your body stops producing urine, toxins continue to build, fluid retention worsens, and eventually your body just can’t function anymore.

That reality terrifies me every single day.

I am scared of this disease. I am scared of surgery. I am scared of the medications. I am scared of my future… because I don’t know what it looks like.

There’s a saying—“the devil you know.” Even when something is hard, painful, or exhausting, you learn to live with it. You adapt. But it’s the unknown… the “devil you don’t know”… that is truly terrifying.

That’s where I am right now.

But at the same time—I remind myself… God’s got me. Always. This is just a moment, even if it feels like a huge one.

I will get through this. I have an incredible support system, and I will fight for my life as long as I have to.

That being said… I really need help.

I know I’ve posted about this before, and it’s not easy for me to keep asking, but this is so important. Because while all of this is happening medically, there’s also a massive financial burden attached to it.

Tomorrow alone, I’m responsible for consultations with the surgeon, nephrologist, social worker, and transplant nurse. On top of that, I have:

32 vials of blood work

a 24-hour urine test

MRI and CT scans of my abdomen and pelvis

EKG and heart monitoring

a nuclear stress test to make sure my body can handle a 6–8 hour surgery

an MRA of my brain to check for aneurysms

plus cancer screenings like a mammogram, pap smear, and colonoscopy

And that’s just the beginning.

April 28th will mark 4 years that I’ve been on the UNOS transplant list. Based on my blood type—which is one of the most in-demand—I could be waiting another 3 or more years for a deceased donor kidney.

A living donor could change everything. That process can move in a matter of months once testing is complete, and the donor even gets to choose the surgery date.

Organizations like the National Kidney Registry are amazing—they help living donors with travel, lodging, childcare, and even pet boarding so they can donate. But what many people don’t realize is… they don’t provide financial help for the recipient.

That part falls on us.

Insurance only covers so much, and the rest becomes our responsibility. Unless you fall under very low income guidelines (under $25,000 a year), there’s little assistance—and Mike already makes above that.

The reality is, the “middle class” doesn’t really exist the way it used to. Everything is expensive. Healthcare is overwhelming. Many people are one illness away from financial hardship—and I feel that deeply, because I’m living it.

This fundraiser isn’t just for now—it’s for my future too. After transplant, I’ll need lifelong anti-rejection medications, some of which can cost hundreds of dollars a month and aren’t always fully covered.

So I’m asking—if you can donate, even a few dollars, it truly means more than I can express. If you can’t, please share this post. Share it with your friends, your family—help me get my story out there.

I’m also trying to organize fundraisers—maybe a bake sale, bingo night, raffles. I’ve even ordered free items like shirts, hats, bracelets, and pins from the national kidney registry to help raise awareness and funds. If anyone has ideas or connections, I would be so grateful.

I’ll leave my GoFundMe link below for anyone who wants to read more about my journey and follow updates.

Thank you for standing by me, supporting me, and loving me through this. It truly takes a village—and I’m so thankful for mine.

Please say a prayer for my husband, he lost 55 lbs to be in the best physical health to test. He's sacrificed his life to help take care of me and I'm extremely grateful. I love him more than anything but I worry about his mental, emotional and physical health going through this for a second time (he tested at the Mayo back in 2022 and was rejected due to one kidney stone, he hasn't had one since and has changed his diet to insure his oxalates levels stay low and no other stones form). Fingers and toes crossed that we both get through this next step of this journey together.

I’ll update everyone after tomorrow’s evaluation at Tampa General.🙏❤️

gofund.me/36026bedf

Help Me Fight Stage 4 Polycystic Kidney Disease My name is … Marissa Lisowski needs your support for Support Marissa Lisowski's Kidney Transplant Journey

04/14/2026

I wanted to share something personal with you all...

I have an upcoming kidney transplant evaluation at Tampa General, and to be honest, I’m feeling overwhelmed. This process is so much more than just “appointments.” It’s rigorous testing, long days, and sitting in front of a committee that only knows me through a file… while they decide something that quite literally impacts my life. It’s a strange and heavy feeling to be judged on whether I’m a “good candidate” — if I’m healthy enough — when in reality, I’m barely getting by some days.

What makes it even harder is knowing I have to appear mentally strong through all of it. I can’t be too anxious, can’t be too stressed, can’t be too emotional… because mental health weighs heavily in their decision. But the truth is, how could anyone go through this and not feel all of those things? On top of that, I’m going through additional testing — checking for things like brain aneurysms, and continuing to monitor a lump in my breast to make sure it doesn’t turn into something more serious.

And just to add a little irony to it all… I also have to take an actual stress test this month — a nuclear medicine stress test. If only they knew how much of a “stress test” this entire process already is.

So with everything I have stacked on me right now, I’m asking — if you can — please send positive thoughts, prayers, good energy… whatever you believe in. I may not always say it out loud, but this affects me more than I let on. I try to stay strong so people don’t see me as weak… but the truth is, this is really, really hard.

As I head into April 17th, I’m also facing a heavy financial burden from all of these medical expenses. If you’re able to help, I do have a GoFundMe set up. Even something as small as $1 truly adds up and helps take some of that pressure off. And if donating isn’t possible, sharing my fundraiser would mean just as much to me.

To everyone who has already donated, shared, or reached out — thank you from the bottom of my heart. Your kindness, support, and generosity mean more than I can ever fully put into words.

I’ve also reached back out to the National Kidney Registry this month to get materials to help spread awareness about my need for a living donor — things like bracelets, pins, shirts, hats, and pamphlets that explain the process. There are so many resources and protections for donors, including travel and lodging support, and even help with things like pet boarding if needed. It’s an incredible program… and at the end of the day, it gives someone the chance to save a life — my life.

I’m so incredibly grateful to have such a supportive circle around me. It truly means everything to me and my family during this time.

And if I seem nervous, distant, or a little off lately… please just bear with me. I’m doing my best to act normal, but the truth is, I don’t always know what’s happening half the time. I’m just trying to hold it together while fighting to stay alive.

Thank you all for being here ❤️

To donate 👇
https://gofund.me/c16658d54

Help Me Fight Stage 4 Polycystic Kidney Disease My name is … Marissa Lisowski needs your support for Support Marissa Lisowski's Kidney Transplant Journey

04/01/2026

Your body is more powerful than you think 💚

Did you know you can live a full, healthy life with just one kidney?

When a kidney is donated or removed, the remaining kidney doesn’t just “work harder” — it actually adapts. Through a process called compensatory hypertrophy, it gradually grows in size and increases its filtering capacity.

Here’s what that really means:
The kidney’s tiny filtering units (called nephrons) begin handling more blood than before. Over time, this allows the single kidney to take on the workload of two — keeping your body in balance.

It continues to:
✔️ Remove waste from the blood
✔️ Maintain proper fluid levels
✔️ Balance electrolytes and minerals like sodium and potassium

Kidney donors often go on to live normal, active, and healthy lives. With regular checkups and a healthy lifestyle, the body can maintain this balance for years.

And here’s the impact that makes it even more powerful — one kidney donation can save a life. For someone waiting on a transplant, it can mean freedom from dialysis, more time with family, and a second chance at living fully.

It’s one of the clearest examples of how resilient and adaptable the human body truly is — and how one selfless decision can change everything.

One kidney. Still powerful. Still enough. 💚



Source: National Kidney Foundation — Living with One Kidney (2023)

03/25/2026

The emotional weight of being "judged by a chart" is something many people outside the transplant community don't fully see. It feels incredibly reductive to have my entire life, value, and future distilled into lab values, BMI, and compliance history. It’s a surreal experience to wait for a committee—people who may have never sat in a room with me—to make a decision that carries the weight of life and death. My feelings of anxiety and the sense that it’s an "impersonal" process are completely valid; it’s a high-stakes vulnerability that most people will never have to face.

Why Relocation and Proximity are Essential
The requirement to relocate or live near the hospital post-transplant isn't just a suggestion; it’s a clinical necessity for my safety and the success of the new organ.

1. Intensive Monitoring Frequency
For the first 4 to 8 weeks following a transplant, follow-up care is grueling.

Frequent Lab Work: I will typically need blood work and clinic visits 2 to 3 times per week.

Medication Adjustments: My transplant team must constantly tweak my immunosuppressants (anti-rejection meds) based on those lab results. Being hours away makes these rapid-fire adjustments nearly impossible.

2. The "Golden Hour" for Rejection and Infection
The period immediately following surgery is when the risk of acute rejection or opportunistic infection is highest.

Speed of Care: If I spike a fever or show signs of organ distress, I need to be at the transplant center within minutes, not hours. General ERs often lack the specialized knowledge to handle the complexities of a fresh transplant patient.

Diagnostic Access: Specialized biopsies or imaging required to check the organ’s health are usually only available at the transplant center itself.

3. Energy Conservation and Physical Recovery
Transplant surgery is a major physical trauma.

Reduced Mobility: Long car rides can increase the risk of blood clots (DVT) and cause significant pain and exhaustion.

Caregiver Support: Living closer reduces the burden on my husband and my family, ensuring they aren't burnt out by 4+ hours of driving on top of providing 24/7 care

This is why your donations are so vital. You aren't just helping with a "bill"; you are helping me stay in the "safety zone" while my body learns to live with a new organ.

Thank you for being part of my village.

To donate 👇
gofund.me/ec3a4066b

Help Me Fight Stage 4 Polycystic Kidney Disease My name is … Marissa Lisowski needs your support for Support Marissa Lisowski's Kidney Transplant Journey