Life after a kidney transplant

"There's life after a transplant: a better life to live," this is how Vanessa Javier described her second life after she underwent kidney transplant 12 years ago.

It was when she knew she had a kidney problem when she most felt how loved she is not only by her family but also by people who are dear to her.

Vannesa is married to Sidney who is a medical representative from a multi-national medicine company. They have one daughter, Vanya Sydney, 8.

Vanessa was 27 years old when she got her kidney transplant.

Months after her marriage to Sidney, she was diagnosed with glomerulonephritis, a kidney disease in which the part of the kidneys that helps filter waste and fluids from the blood is damaged.

From the moment Vanessa knew about her condition, she said her husband was there to support her and cope with all stress and worries that her condition have caused her.

"Katong wala pa ko nagpa-transplant, wala jud koy gana mokaon, niwang kaayo ko ug hasta nakong itoma (Before I got my transplant operation, I had very poor appetite, I was so thin and my complexion has darkened)," she said.

She said having many siblings proved an advantage as she had many many possible donors among her siblings.

Vanessa has six siblings who by the time when she needed kidney donor, did not let her down.

Her younger sister, Tanya, volunteered to donate her one kidney to Vanessa, which for Vanessa, is a very huge sacrifice on the part of her sister.

At present, just like any other people, Vannesa is able to do everything that anyone is expected to do. Twice a week, she goes to gym for work out.

Asked of the greatest lesson she has ever learned from her experiences, Vanessa said family’s love can do miracle especially when God is above everything.

For her, one must take care of one's health by maintaining proper diet, avoiding salty foods, sweetened beverages, and to take enough water every day to avoid renal disorders.