Student waits for second transplant

Sitting in a hospital bed and plugged into IV's and monitoring machines is just another day in the life of 19-year-old ACC student Julian Casey.

Over the past eight years, Casey has been in and out of hospitals receiving chemotherapy treatment and dialysis after being diagnosed with lupus nephritis at an early age.

Lupus nephritis is a chronic disease where the immune system cannot tell the difference between foreign invaders like viruses, bacteria and germs and your body's healthy tissues, according to the Lupus Foundation of America. Because of this, antibodies attack and destroy healthy tissue.

Earlier this year, Casey's disease caused her to suffer from kidney failure.

A longtime family friend, Leslie Kroschewsky, was a match and donated her kidney to Casey who underwent kidney transplant surgery on April 2.

Unfortunately, Casey says there were complications with the surgery that led to her needing a second kidney transplant.

Casey is currently admitted at Methodist Specialty and Transplant Clinic hospital in San Antonio, TX for complications from lupus.

"I had a reaction to the drug that is suppose to make my body accept the new kidney," Casey said.

Due to this reaction, Casey's new kidney became damaged and will not be functional within a matter of months.

"My first doctor told me that my new kidney had only two months, and that was a month ago," Casey said.

Casey and her family asked for a second opinion after hearing this diagnosis and was told that her kidney could last anywhere from one to six months.

About 15.7 percent of people who have received a kidney are on the waiting list for another one according to data from the United Network for Organ Sharing which oversees organ procurement nationwide. As of Dec. 2 there are 87,386 people nationwide on the transplant list waiting for a kidney.

Despite her struggles, Casey is focused on getting her education. She graduated high school last year and is currently taking a math class at ACC.

She is unsure of what she would like to do as far as declaring a major, but likes attending ACC so far.

"Its nice going to ACC because I can get my basics out of the way at my own pace," Casey said.

In addition to taking a class at ACC, Casey also works at Crabtree & Evelyn in Round Rock Premium Outlets.

Casey remains hopeful that she will receive a new kidney.

If she doesn't receive a second kidney within the next few months, Casey will be put back on daily dialysis. However, the dialysis will tax her body greatly and may complicate her ability to receive another kidney.

Those interested in reading more about Casey's story can visit her blog online at cotaforjulianac.com where she writes about what is currently happening in her life.

GET INVOLVED

• Those who are interested or know someone who might be interested in being a donor can contact Methodist Specialty and Transplant Clinic's donor hotline at (210)575-4483

• Casey's second kidney transplant will cost her family more than $5,000. To help by donating money to her family to pay for Casey's medical costs, visit cotaforjulianac.com for more information.

• Volunteers are also needed to help plan and implement fundraising activities. Interested individuals and groups should contact Children's Organ Transplant Association and reach Juliana C. Community Coordinator, Maureen Connors, at 512.335.2950 or maureenconnors@austin.rr.com.