Meet Our Honorees for the July 16th YMO Fundraising Event - ROSA HERNANDEZ

I’m a wife, a proud mother to one daughter, and a grandmother—soon to four beautiful grandbabies. I’m currently on peritoneal dialysis (PD) due to complete kidney failure in both kidneys, and I’m awaiting a transplant. I’d like to share my journey with you.

Everything changed for me on March 27, 2022, a day that began like any other. For some time, I had been dealing with fatigue, swelling in my feet, and restlessness. That day, I joined my sister at a family gathering, pushing myself to stay and enjoy the moment. But later that evening, back home on the couch, my life took a dramatic turn. My arms and legs suddenly began shaking uncontrollably. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stop them. I called out for my daughter, who rushed to my side. The last thing I remember was telling her how scared I was—I didn’t understand what was happening to me.

What I didn’t know at the time was that my body was in serious crisis. That seizure, terrifying as it was, became the very thing that led me to receive urgent medical attention. My daughter later told me how frightened she was when the hospital called her. They told her to come immediately and to bring close family—it might be their last chance to see me. I was on the verge of a massive heart attack, struggling to breathe. I had to be intubated. My kidneys were shutting down, and fluid was filling my lungs. I fell into a coma and spent several days unconscious. When I finally woke up, I had no idea what had happened. I mistook my son-in-law for a doctor and couldn’t grasp the seriousness of my condition.

Starting this new chapter in life wasn’t easy. I underwent surgery to begin Peritoneal Dialysis (PD), which I now do from home. My daughter stepped up, learning how to care for me and operate the equipment. PD has saved my life—but it’s also brought significant challenges. In the beginning, I struggled deeply with depression. I felt like a burden, constantly depending on my family for everything.

Kidney failure doesn’t come alone. It brings fatigue, weakness, and other health issues. I used to find joy in cooking, it wasn’t just a passion but also a source of income. I’d prepare meals for others, taking orders through my sister’s workplace. My tamales and enchiladas, complete with rich sauces, rice, and beans, were always in demand. Now, I can’t even cook for myself. I suffer from low iron, which leaves me constantly exhausted. Nausea hits me every other day. I live with anxiety, depression, and worsening glaucoma.

Living with kidney failure is overwhelming. Dialysis helps, but it’s not a cure. A transplant is my hope, but it’s not always guaranteed. I can’t work anymore or be fully independent. I rely on my husband and daughter for both physical and financial support. The expenses pile up—copays for specialists, increased electricity bills from the PD machine running through the night, and the costs of a strict, specialized diet.

This chapter of my life has tested me in every way. But I continue to hold on to hope—hope for healing, for a transplant, and for the strength to keep going. I share my story to raise awareness, to advocate for those silently struggling, and to remind others that even in our hardest moments, we are not alone.