Brittany Kidney Disease Journey

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Brittany Kidney Disease Journey

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01/12/2025

It’s here! A day I thought wouldn’t see. 2025 FOUR YEARS LATER! Doesn’t seem possible that I’m still here watching my children grow up (way too fast). They are my world and I am so thankful I am alive and healthy to see all their accomplishments, to watch them learn new things, to see who they are growing up to be, to love them and to guide them.

Before my transplant I’ll be honest my blood work and six month check ups would be one of the scariest days. Each time going in watching my kidney levels go up meaning closer to transplant list or dialysis. I am so very thankful besides my kidney disease I was healthy.

The day I went in and my Dr said “it’s time to start getting prepared to get on the transplant list” my heart sank. If you know me, my head started spinning, and I was thinking about everything that could go wrong everything that could possibly go right. All things.

I am so thankful that I have my husband by my side through every appointment. He has been my rock through everything. Since day one when I told him about my kidney disease when we got together at 14 years old and he told me he would be by my side through it all. He wasn’t lying. At 33 years old he has been by my side through it all. Every step.

After hours spent at the hospital, lots and lots of blood work and health checks I finally got on the transplant list. Such a scary and long process. But I couldn’t even believe how much support I had. I had amazing families put together fundraisers, get checked to see if they would be a good match to be a donor, be there through all my tears, cheer me on and tell me everything will be ok.

After ONLY one year of being on the list my mother got approved and matched to be my kidney donor. This was amazing news. They said this would be the best donor.

A few short months later I got scheduled for my transplant. Such a scary moment. But also very exciting.

The day of our surgery sitting in that hospital bed waiting for my turn to get a new kidney was scary, exciting, nerve-racking, all the emotions. My mom would walk into my room in her hospital gown to check in on me and see how I was doing. She was so happy, would say silly jokes, would be silly. She didn’t seem nervous one bit. It helped calm my nerves. I’m sure she was nervous but she sure was good at hiding it (probably to make me feel less nervous 🤪).

Transplant went amazing. My mom is amazing. I wouldn’t be here without her now giving me a second chance at life. I am so thankful for her and her willing to donate her kidney to me and give me another chance at life. I appreciate you, I am thankful for you, I love you mom!

I am thankful for everyone who has stuck by my side and cheered me on. Thank you!!!

Kidney disease is real. It is scary. But I’m kicking its butt! And will continue to fight so I can be here for my husband and children. 💚💚

-Brit

01/13/2023

Almost 32 years ago Robi Christie gave life to a beautiful girl named Brittany. 17 years ago I met this teenage girl at the time and who was way to cute for me (still is). But some how she seen something in me she liked. Cause she stuck by me ever since. Soon after we started dating I found out she had kidney issues. To the extent I did not fully know but it didn't scare me away. Wasn't until she got pregnant with Kolby when she was only 16 I finally found out the severity of her condition. Over the years she has told me time and time again she understands if I don't want to be with someone that has health issues. I've always told her I wasn't going anywhere and that I would be by her side through anything. Well when she was 18 we had Brooklynn shortly after Brittany was hospitalized for kidney failure. Giving birth to brook was to much strain on her already weak kidney. But by some miracle her kidney jump started itself and started working again. The doctor warned us she should not have any more kids and that he recommends she should get her tubes tied. Britt being young only 18 at the time didn't want to tie her tubes already. So she didn't well when she was 21 she convinced me into having another child our 3rd Weston. Her kidneys handled the third birth and life went back on like normal. That was until about 3-4 years ago she went to the doctors in extreme pain. Found that she had kidney stones and that her kidney was barely functioning due to the strain from the stones. They told her that she needs a transplant asap or dialysis maybe in the near future. They put her on the transplant list . But continued try a few things to help relieve stress off the kidney like putting stints in them but with no effect. It was time for what we always hoped would never come. Brittany was in need of a kidney transplant on the list and with possibly years to wait. Her mom stepped up and started testing to see if she was a match. Come to find out she was not only a match but probably one of the best matches we could have ever hoped for. So 2 years ago today much like Robi did 31 almost 32 years ago she gave life to her baby girl again. Brittany's body took to the new kidney quick seeing a huge turn around almost instantly. She gained a new chapter in life and we gained more time with her in our lives! Our kids get to keep their mother around and I get to spend hopefully another 17+ years with her by my side. Thank you Heather for giving your daughter life not once but TWICE! Happy Kidneyvarsary babe can't wait to see what our future holds! Love you Brittany!

-Will

05/13/2022

Well everyone it has been awhile since we have posted on here. It's been a little over 1 year since Britts transplant. The meds she is on increased her chances of skin cancer. Well about a month ago she was diagnosed with single cell carcinoma. She had a large amount removed. But there are still cancer cells throughout her hair line. She was given chemo cream to help kill those cells off. She has to be extremely careful being outside she stays out of the sun as much as possible or the cancer could keep/will keep coming back. She is a total Rockstar as far as the kindey she received it is going strong and she is doing the best she ever has in the areas of kidneys go. Let's all be Brittany strong!

09/09/2021

Everyone knows Brittany is a champ. But I have got to say watching my beautiful wife over these past 7 months rock this transplant and doing as good as she is it's absolutely amazing. We take it day by day because some of her blood work has been a little bit of a roller coaster but they are finally getting things mellowed out. And even with all that you would never guess she had a transplant she's got so much more energy. She really is an inspiration seeing her continue to get better and better. Love you Brittany.

08/19/2021

This month is 7 months since kidney transplant. Overall I feel amazing. I finally got moved to blood work every two weeks instead of weekly. We have had a hard time keeping my white blood count up. The people who draw my blood are always scared when they see my name on the chart, because my arms , hands ect are pretty beat up from getting my blood drawn every week. The weight gain is so real on these meds lol, and my emotions I can't tell if they are just me or maybe part to do with my meds but their usually all over the place lately. But overall I feel amazing. I am so blessed to have an amazing mom who gave me life all over again. I'm blessed to all of my friends and family who are always there and always checking in. 💚

04/12/2021

Tomorrow is my three month post transplant. It has been a wild ride. From Dr. Appointments, weekly blood draws, weekly medication adjustments, trying to figure out how much my body can handle throughout the day without over doing it, and just adjusting to a new life style.
Everything has gone pretty amazing. We have a few hiccups with trying to get my WBC to go up because it is way too low. Hopefully with these injections it will help.

I have had the best support system my family, friends, child care families, cheer family and everyone on facebook always checking in.

I am beyond thankful for my mom and all that she has done for me. She is the strongest person I know. And I can't even begin to tell her how much I love and appreciate all that she does for me.

To feel amazing and to be able to keep up with my child care, my own children and every day life feels amazing. I love feeling alive, love feeling like my energy is here and not a zombie every day.

Thank you for all your love and support. It truly means the world to me 💚💚💚

02/16/2021

Tomorrow marks 5 weeks since surgery. I am doing really good. I have lots of energy most days. Feeling pretty good and I can be up walking all day without feeling sore now.

Last week I finally got to move closer to home for blood work and can do zoom clinic instead of in person. I also got moved down to one day a week blood work instead of two/three days a week. I felt like I was taking a whole pharmacy of pills (lots of anti rejection meds, antibiotics ect) but so glad they have been lowering them a lot already. The Drs have said that my mom's kidney was as close as they get for a match. I am so thankful for her and all that she has done for me.

I am so blessed for all the continued support. Thank you so much for all love 💚

01/29/2021

Here is my momma's kidney. Had a ultrasound today to check everything. Positive vibes my way everything is going good.

01/26/2021

Today marks two weeks since I had my kidney transplant.

I am doing amazing. Finally up and walking good without getting super swollen and sore.

Noticing I have more energy already and can't wait to put it to use after I'm all healed 100%.

Feeling good and ready to rock this second chance at life.

Thankful and so blessed to have my amazing mom who gave me this second chance at life. 💚

Just thought I would give people who have been wondering how I am doing a update.

As always, thank you so much for all your love and support. I couldn't have made it this far without it. I have the best support from all my friends and family and I am so blessed.

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Roy, UT

Website

http://give.transplants.org/goto/brittanybendigo

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