4/2/24 UPDATE! Alayna is still fighting everyday! we are currently facing another problem. When she was 3 she had to have surgery to correct hydronephrosis which caused damage to her left kidney. During the kidney biopsy in August they discovered the hydronephrosis returned. The doctor said we needed to focus on the auto immune disease first. Now that her #s are slightly better from the infusions. We are now focusing on the cause and the treatment for the severe hydronephrosis in her left kidney. Renal scans and ultrasound of kidneys are then next steps to determine our course of Action. Please keep praying! Every prayer counts! 💜 
 

Two of the hardest words for me to say are “help me”.  This may be the most humbling thing I’ve ever done!

Alayna is my sweet loving 18 year old freshman in college! Up until about 6 months ago she was a healthy girl aside from being born with a heart defect! She was my miracle baby! 

6 months ago she started experiencing swelling in her legs, feet, and eyes! After several visits to the doctors and countless procedures including a kidney biopsy she was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune kidney disease called Membranous Nephropathy in which a specific antibody PLA2R is attacking the small blood vessels that filter the wastes from her blood. Due to these antibodies attacking the blood vessels, her kidneys  are filtering the protein from her blood and leaking it in high amounts through her urine. Unfortunately there is no cure for this disease! She will undergo several chemo-like infusions to help her go into remission but it can always comeback. Her nephrologist estimated 5 years of treatment Depending on how her body reacts to treatment. These infusions are expensive and her insurance doesn’t cover completely. Along with this autoimmune disease she was diagnosed with POTS. Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is one of a group of disorders that have orthostatic intolerance (OI) as their primary symptom. OI is a condition in which an excessively reduced volume of blood returns to the heart after an individual stands up from a lying down position. She has episodes of syncope because her blood pressure drops to low and her Heart rate is gets too high.  She cannot work at this time because she has bouts of fatigue if her salt levels drop, her lower extremities swell if she stands for too long, she has episodes of syncope, and she cannot drive at this time.  Not to mention I have to miss work to take her to doctors appts and infusions.
 

I am trying to navigate working full time but only getting 50-60 hours due to not having any more vacation or sick time available, taking care of day to day expenses, medical and treatment expenses. I’m taking it one day at a time!! Please donate if you can, share, and spread the word. Anything and all help is greatly appreciated and we are eternally grateful! Please keep Alayna in your prayers!