My Story

A year ago, I was living in Victoria with my best friends. I was taking Child and Youth Care Classes, something I attended the University of Victoria specifically for. I was maybe fourteen when I decided that I wanted to work with kids in some capacity. I spent the next four years ensuring that I would get into a university “far enough away from home that I moved away, but not so far that I have to take a plane to get back to my home.” Despite a few bumpy moments, that was probably the best year of my life. I met some amazing people, experienced what it’s like to live on my own, I was introduced to painting by a friend, and figured out that I prefer to drive in Victoria over the Lower Mainland! I was content and at peace.

This past summer I moved back home and I began a wonderful job in my dream field; one that brought me joy and excitement. Before my shifts, I was contemplating what socks and earrings I would wear, wondering which ones would make the kids laugh, or which the kids would find pretty. After my shifts, I was going to the gym, or going out with friends and family. The end of July came, and I was excitedly beginning to shop for my new shared basement suite on the Island. I would text my roommates pictures at random times, asking if I should buy items for our place. I was counting down the days until I could return to Victoria and see all my people again.

My family and I went to the Interior of BC together for the August Long Weekend, and on the drive home I thought I was feeling carsick. Two days later I was in the hospital, and within a week I was on dialysis. My kidney function was gone, and I was diagnosed with Atypical Hemolytic Uremic Syndrome. While in the hospital, my vision deteriorated, I developed severe pain in my back that left me bed bound for weeks, multiple times I went into respiratory distress, I developed sepsis twice, I had two seizures, caught COVID, spent over 20 days in the ICU, and received 17 blood and plasma transfusions. I spent those three months feeling horrible ways I had never felt in my life. Extreme physical pain and discomfort, constant nausea and vomiting, migraines, loneliness, difficulty sleeping, and hair loss. The tests I was subjected to were endless and at times, scary. The mental toll was huge. The life I worked so hard for, the one I was so excited for has been ripped away from me. I spent day after day in the same hospital room, the same hospital bed. I saw countless people admitted and discharged while I lay in bed and some people even passed away before my eyes.

I made a friend on the medical ward, a wonderful person who helped keep me sane. I met my friend one day when we both were getting imaging done, and I became determined to befriend this person who appeared to be the same age as me. It turned out we were only four months apart. To have somebody who understands such unique experiences has been crucial in helping me cope.

The hope was that my kidney function would return on its own, and I would be able to return to Victoria promptly. The time frame continues to lengthen since I had kidney function. I spend up to five hours every two days receiving dialysis. I can't commit to anything except dialysis as I must receive treatments. I am often so tired I don't have the energy to do much else. I had to drop my university courses, and it has become clear that I will not be returning to the island soon. My car sits undriven, as I am not allowed to drive due to the seizures. I currently attend dialysis three days a week, to replace my kidney function. Transplant would allow me to return to my old life, get me back to Victoria, and my people.