Change Champions - Kristen Gonzales | IgAN
Kristen Gonzales
Some days are hard But I continue to fight on.
Kristin's journey started on Thanksgiving Day in 2021 when she went to the ER feeling extremely weak, coughing up blood, and experiencing shortness of breath. Initially, she assumed she had bronchitis and would quickly return to finish cooking Thanksgiving dinner; however, her doctor informed her that she was suffering from kidney failure and had almost no blood in her body. Six days later, she was diagnosed with IgAN and stage 5 kidney disease. Kristin has also been diagnosed with Lupus and Rheumatoid arthritis since then. She presently undergoes dialysis for three hours, several times a week and is awaiting a kidney transplant. Despite her circumstances, Kristin has chosen to share her journey with PicnicHealth and with her followers on Instagram to create a community for other patients on a similar journey. She is also a talented artist, creating artwork centered on her chronic illness. As Kristin puts it, “Everyday has its own struggle, but I try to make the best of it. Some days are harder than others but I continue to fight on each day.”
Connect with Kristen
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Making a Difference: A Closer Look at Rare Patient Voice's Role in Research
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