I'm 5'8, but up until my early twenties I was over 5'9. At 21 I was diagnosed with an immune deficiency called Vasculitis. It attacked both my kidneys, so I was put on dialysis immediately. By the way, my only symptom was nose bleeds. Well, the numerous medications, including steroids caused me to shrink...which was really weird. Being on dialysis was awful, though. Just about everything I ate made me nauseous even after my kidney diet was restrictive. Dialysis made it difficult for me to be a full time student and have a full time job. I had many complications because of the kidney failure. I was diagnosed with mitral valve regurgitation, which affects women most of the time, but is not that serious. For me, though, since my kidneys did not work, the blood would go into my lungs and make it difficult for me to breathe until I had a dialysis session. That heart problem made me an insomniac for over a year because I could not lay down. When I finally had my heart surgery to repair my mitral valve there were many complications. As a result of the heart surgery, I ended up losing all feeling and movement below the knee of my right leg. I eventually had an amputation, after I was told I had an incurable infection, two years later on New Year's Eve, 2009. I'm 29 now and received my kidney transplant last November from a cadaver kidney. A 35 year old man in Bakersfield, CA was in a motorcycle accident and passed away. That man died, but he also saved my life. I was fortunate to be the donor recipient. Before the transplant I was average, but since the transplant my hair has thinned a lot and I've gained close to forty pounds because I've had a lot of complications and the dosages of my anti-rejection medications are constantly changed.
The way I see it, though, I'd rather be balding and fat than be on dialysis. Even though I've had so many medical and physical challenges, my escape has been makeup and school. I'm a poli sci major and am a freelance makeup artist when I am out of school, mostly working with performance artists that I know here in LA.
I don't know why I shared this info, but I just want to let you all know that we are all powerful people with a common interest. We're all individuals. We've all overcome challenges. We don't let a bad situation, no matter how big or small, define us. We become better people and we live our lives as best we can. Lou, along with all you ladies is an example of that.
Your eyes are gorgeous & your lips look amazing in red.
And I love my guys at work with all my heart. I've known Ben and Ben for 6 years now and can honestly say we think of each other as family now.
good for you. You look amazing!
