Sudden Kidney Failure Leads To New Lease On Life For Texas A&M Student

When Texas A&M University university student Andrea Nuñez previous spring commenced enduring lingering signs that she could not reveal, she did not believe it was an unexpected emergency. She exercised frequently and thought she was nutritious, and due to the fact the pandemic started she’d expert a wide range of signs and symptoms she believed have been similar to taking in fewer healthy for the duration of lockdown. But when she began battling to hold up with coursework and would sleep for extended intervals every working day, she realized some thing else was wrong.

Nuñez, a to start with era college student from Brownsville, Texas, majoring in industrial and systems engineering, resolved to visit Scholar Health Expert services (SHS), the on-campus health care service provider for Aggie pupils.

There she noticed Claire Kolb, a board certified medical professional assistant, who immediately knew one thing was incorrect because of to Nuñez’ seriously elevated blood pressure and other symptoms.

Kolb and the SHS medical crew initiated emergent protocols and administered medicine to support decreased her blood stress and reduce anxiety having said that, her blood tension remained elevated.

“The nurse questioned me to sit there and do some breathing exercises to relaxed me down but nothing at all was functioning,” Nuñez explained. “Nothing would reduce my blood force.”

When Nuñez’ blood pressure did not strengthen, Kolb purchased immediate blood do the job and even more screening to consider the severity of the problem. Blood work success showed that Nuñez was in acute kidney failure, with her kidneys functioning at only 16% of usual.

With coordination amongst SHS employees and local wellness means, Nuñez was hospitalized and invested days at St. Joseph Well being Regional Healthcare facility in Bryan. She received a kidney biopsy that verified an acute kidney failure prognosis ensuing from Lupus, an autoimmune illness that happens when the body’s immune system attacks its have tissues and organs. It was determined she wanted at kidney transplant and established about getting a donor.

Months turned into months till the excellent donor was observed. Out of a big team of mates and family who were being intrigued in being a donor, the great match came from a relatives buddy, Priscilla Cardenas. Cardenas stated she is grateful to God for this gorgeous expertise that assisted to help you save Nuñez’ lifetime, and now considers Nuñez – who she phone calls “Andy” –  as a single of her individual daughters.

“When we depart this everyday living, what will we choose with us?” Cardenas questioned. “That is why I did it. I want Andy to make all her plans and dreams arrive true. I want her to be every thing she wishes to be. I want her to be the most effective engineer at her desire work. I want her to get married and have children, and I want to just take care of her small children. I want her to are living her daily life to the fullest like if none of this would have took place.”

Nuñez stated she chose to prioritize her wellbeing for the duration of a chaotic and challenging time in her lifestyle, which resulted in her producing the tough conclusion to go away Texas A&M in July 2021. Her intention was to return to pursue her research after her health and fitness improved, not knowing when that would be feasible.

Restoration and the Street Back to Aggieland

Just after a prosperous 6-hour transplant operation in September 2021 at Methodist Hospital Specialty and Transplant Clinic in San Antonio, Nuñez commenced transitioning to a new regular with her health and she returned to Texas A&M this semester. Again in Aggieland, she is not only excelling in her coursework, but her excellent of life has dramatically improved.

“I did not know I was that sick until eventually I was this healthy,” she mentioned. “I acquired to set myself 1st. I learned that university is crucial but it is not as essential as our health and fitness.”

Nuñez’ believes her tale will bring hope to other people who might be going via a equivalent situation or are acquiring it challenging to retain up with coursework for the reason that of a medical issue. She is fast to understand that Kolb saved her everyday living, and she is grateful for the support and area methods that assisted her get treatment and assisted during her recovery.

She expects to graduate in May perhaps 2023 and ideas to attend graduate university and with any luck , 1 working day do the job at Disney. She said she chooses to discover joy and reminds herself each day to aim on what seriously matters.

“Nothing is more vital than on your own and your contentment,” she mentioned. “That also incorporates your overall health, so acquire time to breathe, to have exciting, to be with your good friends and spouse and children, and dwell this daily life to the fullest.”

If you are battling with your wellness, do not delay trying to get treatment. There are a range of sources offered for pupils at Texas A&M University:

A full list of health and fitness assets can be discovered on the net at shs.tamu.edu/overall health-means.

Assist the Texas A&M College student Overall health Heart. Give on-line now.

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