The story of Priscila
I still remember the moment the doctor told me I had IgA Nephropathy. The words felt heavy, foreign—like a storm I hadn’t seen coming. I went to the ER expecting a quick diagnosis and simple treatment but instead spent 9 days in the hospital as my life took an unexpected turn.
At the time, I was preparing to start my last year of nursing school. When I developed a sore throat, my doctor did a rapid strep test, which was negative, and without insurance, further testing wasn’t an option. The next morning, I noticed blood in my urine. Assuming it was a urinary tract infection, I went to the ER for a quick checkup, only to end up admitted, undergoing endless tests. A kidney biopsy confirmed it—I had an incurable, unpredictable autoimmune disease.
The months that followed were filled with doctor visits, blood work, and high-dose prednisone, which took a brutal toll on my body and mind. Yet, after a year of treatments, my nephrologist gave me the news I had longed to hear—I was in remission. Even better, my husband and I were cleared to try for a pregnancy, something I had feared would not be possible.
Managing this disease has shaped my life in ways I never expected. Traditional nursing jobs were no longer an option since I had to avoid sick people, but I found fulfilling work that lets me use my nursing knowledge from home. I also learned firsthand how serious my condition was when my daughter had strep throat, and despite my precautions, I caught it. It led to renal failure, a terrifying reminder of how quickly things could change.
Now, more than 15 years later, I have two beautiful, healthy children, and we have found ways to manage both the disease and life. I can’t hold my children when they’re sick, but I make up for it by being with them every moment I can when they’re well. Though the future remains uncertain, I am grateful for every day of stability. I have learned to face each challenge with strength, resilience, and appreciation for the life I have been given!