My name is Shanice Figeroux and I'm 22 years old. I’ve been on dialysis since the age of 13 and have
operations to numerous to count. Since 1999, I’ve had 2 kidney transplants, followed by 2 nephrectomies
(removal of the kidneys) when those transplants failed. The first transplant I received from my mother in
2000. We were so happy then; our story was covered by Lifetime Women’s Television and I was on the
front page of the Newsday newspaper; it was a crippling loss to have it fail. My teenage years were
compromised, miserable and tiring. My second transplant, in 2005, also failed due to complications with
infections. But even at a tough time like that, I never gave up, though it was tempting.
When my doctors told me of the seriousness of the situation, when I was losing that second kidney, I felt I
had lost all my freedom, all my hope, as well as my organ. I was so incredibly sad, helpless. I would have
to undergo dialysis treatment 3 times a week for 3 hours a day. Dialysis is renal replacement therapy; it is
an artificial replacement for lost kidney function due to renal failure. There are several methods of
dialysis, and hemodialysis, which cleans the blood via a machine, is probably the best known. It’s what
you see on medical shows on TV and it’s what I’ve been doing for 5 years. Dialysis does NOT treat
kidney disease – it is effectively a life support treatment, keeping a renal patient alive until they can
receive a transplant. Transplant isn't a CURE either, it replaces a sick kidney with a working kidney, but
still means a lifetime of immunosuppressive medication. Those are challenging too, but definitely
preferable to dialysis!After 10 years of struggling with kidney disease, sometime I feel like just a sad fragile shell of a woman. My
illness has been a battle of the body, mind, heart, and spirit. The nights seem darker and all I ask for is a better
day, not even happier, just better. The stars that once guided me seem dimmer and the taste of honey is no
more. My mouth is bitter and my Spirit is cold. My path is obstructed by illness, and by unwanted, familiar, and
yet always shocking pain. Illness has gotten in the way of my destiny. My mind is always racing, my heart is
often heavy. I stand here with my hands clutched tight, trying to hold my dreams like grains of sand. But as the
sun shines down on my face, I pray to bring this world a better day; We are born into this world with no
knowledge of what awaits us, and when unexpected, unpleasant things happen, we are quick to call on God and
ask “Why me?”. But He knows what awaits us, and what our purpose is, long before we do. So I am guided by
the Man with the main master plan. I do know that my destiny is a path that will break all barriers – physical
illness, lack of money, limits on my education, racism. As Maya Angelou said, “Still I rise”.
Despite my situation, I strive for change. I strive for improvement in the medical world - for more options for
people with kidney failure, and for more comfort and support for those on dialysis. I think I’m more fortunate
than many people in my situation, because I see life as a challenge, and I am still here fighting. I’ve seen
others, people my age, friends, lose this fight. It’s enough to shatter one’s hope. That's plenty enough reason
for me to do what I'm trying to do. I’ve always tried to stay positive. I won the Bright Star award in 2004 from
KUFA, and I walk the Walk for Organ and Tissue Donation every year. I’ve spoken to medical students at
Albert Einstein College of Medicine, helping them to learn how to talk with adolescents. I was interviewed on
Channel 13’s Keeping Kids Healthy, about coping with being on dialysis. I participate in groups for dialysis
patients and have tried to be a spokesperson for other patients in my units. I have recommendations (and
wonderful support) from my nephrologists and social workersDespite my situation, I strive for change. I strive for improvement in the medical world - for more options for
people with kidney failure, and for more comfort and support for those on dialysis. I think I’m more fortunate
than many people in my situation, because I see life as a challenge, and I am still here fighting. I’ve seen
others, people my age, friends, lose this fight. It’s enough to shatter one’s hope. That's plenty enough
reason for me to do what I'm trying to do. I’ve always tried to stay positive. I won the Bright Star award in
2004 from KUFA, and I walk the Walk for Organ and Tissue Donation every year. I’ve spoken to medical
students at Albert Einstein College of Medicine, helping them to learn how to talk with adolescents. I was
interviewed on Channel 13’s Keeping Kids Healthy, about coping with being on dialysis. I participate in
groups for dialysis patients and have tried to be a spokesperson for other patients in my units. I have
recommendations (and wonderful support) from my nephrologists and social workers
Being on dialysis for the last 4 years, I’ve come to realize how important physical comfort is during
treatment. Comfort improves coping!
so ive designed a unique comfort device to support patients that undergo (dialysis-chemo-and any intervenious treatment) im working with an invention company to pattan and take this product to the national market it will (help me gain independence -some money to live off of and open my mind towards a better view because this view has been filled with operation,after operation ,moving and more moving because i can never offord to stay in one place im sleepin on a couch right now with the only valubile thing next to me (my idea)and its going to change the world ...
