Our Stories

Brian’s Story

I was first diagnosed with Nephrotic Syndrome in November, 2011 after dealing with extreme swelling, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, very high loss of protein, and fatigue that I couldn’t take any longer.

I was first treated with prednisone, which made me really ill after only taking it for two weeks. Now, after a biopsy and three months later, I am about to start taking cyclosporine and a smaller dosage of prednisone to hopefully get some relief from hopeless symptoms from this disease.

I am presently so weak that I am unable to work or function on a daily basis as I did before this tragedy came into my life. I am currently applying for disability and hope to receive some, if any, support to ease the financial burden this has left on my family.

I have a wonderful wife and two of the best kids in the world that remind me, every day, of just how lucky I am to have them. My only fear is that I won’t get better, that I won’t be able to provide for them, and that I won’t be the husband or dad that I used to be. Through prayer and through their smiles, I have the hope and the strength to wake up every morning and keep fighting.

I have been in the hospital twice in the last three months, and although I look like a marsh mellow on crack, I keep my chin up and my blues down.

My prayers go out to anyone who is struggling and my hat goes off to anyone that is making a difference in someone’s life. My heart goes out to the people just like me who I never knew exsisted because of the lack of awareness of the disease and to the doctors who have dedicated their lives for our well being.

This may be my story but it is only the beginning and in time, with the help of others, I pray that there is a happy ending.

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