Our Stories

Rachelle's Story

It was the year 1990, I was 19 and had just finished my first year at San Diego State. I came home for the summer and was attending summer school classes in the morning and working as a waitress in an Italian restaurant at night.

I remember vividly being in my sociology class and glancing down at my feet that were bulging out of my penny loafers. I knew now that I had some major edema going on.

I went to my then primary doctor who proceeded to do basic tests, such as blood work and a urine sample. She discovered that I was dumping mass quantities of protein into my urine and referred me to a nephrologist, who scheduled me for a biopsy. <