The emotional toll became unbearable when my condition began stealing precious moments with the people I love most in this world.
It was November 12th—a date forever etched in my memory.
We had planned a special day celebrating Emma's fifth birthday at the local park. All her little friends from kindergarten were coming, and Emma had been counting down the days until her unicorn-themed celebration.
My responsibilities seemed simple: bring the decorations and help serve the cupcakes.
Easy enough for most grandmothers, right?
Not for me—not anymore.
The morning started with me struggling just to carry the lightweight bag of decorations from my car to the picnic area. Each step felt like I was wading through mud, my breathing labored after walking just twenty yards.
By mid-morning, my feet and ankles had swollen so severely that my shoes were cutting into my skin, forcing me to sit while other family members hung streamers and balloons.
I tried hiding my discomfort from the other parents who were energetically setting up games and activities while I remained seated, feeling useless and embarrassed.
Shortly before the cake ceremony—the highlight Emma had been anticipating for weeks—a wave of complete exhaustion forced me to retreat to my car to lie down.
This wasn't ordinary tiredness—it was as if my body was simply shutting down, refusing to cooperate despite my desperate wishes.
From my car, I could hear the muffled singing, Emma's delighted squeals, and the clapping and cheering of her friends.
I missed seeing my own granddaughter blow out her birthday candles.
Later that evening, my daughter brought me a small container with a cupcake and a handmade card from Emma with wobbly handwriting:
"I missed you at my party, Grandma. Hope you feel all better tomorrow. Love, Emma."
I wept silently after they left. I couldn't continue missing these irreplaceable family milestones.
Something had to change immediately.
I had already scheduled an appointment to discuss dialysis options the following month.
I had even started researching home dialysis equipment, believing it was my only remaining choice.
I just needed to find the strength to accept this new reality.
Then fate intervened through an unexpected meeting with a research scientist who introduced me to a breakthrough that would completely transform my health.