My Story
My name is James Nguyen and I’m a dialysis patient needing a kidney transplant.
I am a 58 year-old male living in Orange County, CA. I have been happily married to a wonderful lady for over 30 years and I’m a proud father to my son and his wife.
My journey with a lifelong chronic illness began when, at the age of 19, I was diagnosed with Lupus, an autoimmune disease that attacks one’s own organs and tissues - in my case, my kidneys. By the age of 33, both of my kidneys finally gave way and I began hemodialysis. Three times a week, I would get up at 4am in the morning and go to a local dialysis center to have my blood “cleaned” from my system. Each session lasts up to 4 hours and afterward, I would drive to my work to support my family. This continued for 6 years until I finally received a transplant from a deceased donor. Organs from cadavers do not tend to last as long as those from living donors, and as a result, my first transplant lasted for 8 years before it deteriorated and failed. I found myself back on hemodialysis and continuing my full-time employment as before.
My second transplant came when my amazing wife graciously donated one of her kidneys so that I can enjoy a normal life where I could travel and go on vacations with my family. This transplant lasted another 9 years and now I find myself back on dialysis. Fortunately to this day, my wife remains healthy and normal with no side effects from her donation. This time around, I opted for peritoneal dialysis (home dialysis) where every night I would set up my dialysis machine and hook myself up for treatment while I sleep. Each session lasts 11 - 12 hours and I find myself spending half my day, every day, in treatment. As a result, I’m often feeling tired and lethargic. I can only do light chores around the house for a short period of time before feeling drained and tired.
It’s been 3 years since I’ve been on home dialysis hoping for a donor. Over the years and several trips to the emergency room, it has slowly taken its toll on me both physically and mentally. A transplant would give me another chance for a normal life. Through your generosity, you would be giving someone like me another chance at a full life with my family. Many doctors and donors will tell you that there is minimal risk to your health in the future.
Throughout all the ups and downs along my journey - and there have been many - I would not have changed a thing. I am blessed with a beautiful family and an employer who has been understanding of my medical conditions. Of course, I still have my sense of humor, for what is life without laugher? If you are interested in learning more about how you can help, please feel free to visit this page or to share my story on social media. Thank you and God bless.