Donald's Story.

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Before my diagnosis, my life was a joyful, nonstop adventure, a world I shared with the people I loved most. We filled our days with simple, happy moments—family road trips, celebrating milestones, and gathering around the dinner table to share stories and laughter. I never imagined those moments would turn into painful memories, a stark contrast to the difficult reality that lay ahead. I lived with a sense of security, never thinking that the life I knew and loved could be taken away, piece by piece.

The diagnosis of end-stage renal disease didn't just change my life; it fundamentally changed our lives as a family. The vibrant energy that once defined me was replaced by a weariness that felt permanent. Our days became a cycle of medical appointments, and the financial and emotional weight of my illness settled upon my family. I've had to watch them sacrifice their own lives and dreams to care for me. The sadness isn't just about what I’ve lost, but about the beautiful, simple moments we can no longer share and the way my sickness has cast a shadow over their joy. This journey has been heartbreaking, but it has also shown me the strength of my family's love, a bond forged in the deepest sadness. My story is now one of enduring love and shared sorrow, a testament to what we have faced together.

If I received a new kidney, the first thing I would do is breathe. Not a shallow, tired breath, but a deep one that reaches all the way to my toes. The burden of illness would lift, and the quiet worry that has haunted my family for years would finally fade away. Our home, which had become a place of careful schedules and hushed concerns, would return to being a place of spontaneous laughter and shared plans.