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Husband's Love Saves Wife from Kidney Failure
13 Aug
Summary
- Shardae Orr's life changed in 2016 with UTI-like symptoms.
- Doctors repeatedly misdiagnosed her condition for three years.
- Her husband, Emmett Orr, became her kidney transplant match.
Shardae Orr's health journey drastically shifted in 2016 at age 28, when she began experiencing symptoms like blood in her urine and discomforts. Initially treated for urinary tract infections (UTIs), her condition persisted and worsened over three years, with recurring symptoms including severe migraines and high blood pressure.
Despite multiple doctor visits from 2016 to 2019, her serious underlying issues were not identified. A crucial turning point occurred in 2019 when Orr requested a renal panel, uncovering that she was in Stage 4 renal failure due to polycystic kidney disease.
This diagnosis presented life-altering choices: dialysis or death. Orr and her husband, Emmett, navigated this crisis, ultimately finding a life-saving solution. Emmett volunteered for testing and was a match for a kidney transplant, significantly improving Shardae's health and quality of life.
Dr. Sharad Vermani emphasizes the importance of considering family history and conducting further tests when UTI symptoms persist. He advocates for screenings like the Urine Albumin-Creatinine Ratio, particularly in communities with genetic predispositions to kidney disease, to prevent underdiagnosis.
