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EP 116: "Full Circle: Interview with Markeyah Lewis on Life, Lupus, and the Gift of a Kidney"
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🎙️ Episode Summary
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"Full Circle: Interview with Markeyah Lewis on Life, Lupus, and the Gift of a Kidney"
Markeyah Lewis was diagnosed with Lupus, leading to early kidney failure. When her mother wasn’t a direct transplant match, they turned to Advanced Kidney Donation—a life-changing decision that helped Markeyah receive her transplant in 2022. Now a mother and soon-to-be Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Markeyah shares her powerful story of resilience, motherhood, and the miracle of second chances.
✨ Episode Highlights
- Andi introduces Markeyah Lewis and invites her to reflect on how they first met four years ago, during her battle with lupus.
- Markeyah shares her inspiring story of resilience and hope amid life-altering circumstances.
- She describes undergoing hemodialysis during her senior year of college.
- Her mother, although not a direct donor match, was determined to help.
- Markeyah explains how Advanced Kidney Donation allowed her mother to donate to another person—making Markeyah a priority on the transplant list.
- In 2022, her mother donated a kidney to a stranger named Charlie, with whom they still keep in touch.
- Andi and Markeyah discuss the importance of honoring the gift of life after a transplant.
- Markeyah offers heartfelt advice for those battling chronic illness, emphasizing the importance of a strong support system.
- They explore the role of faith in navigating health struggles and finding purpose.
- Markeyah shares her deep gratitude for her mother’s selfless act.
- She opens up about her pregnancy journey, which was unexpectedly smooth despite the risks associated with lupus and kidney disease.
- Markeyah also details her mother’s donation journey and her current health.
- She expresses thanks to their medical team and looks forward to becoming an occupational therapist.
- The episode concludes with Markeyah reflecting on her first Mother’s Day.
- Markeyah's story sheds light on the power of organ donation and the impact of Advanced Kidney Donation. Her mother’s courage to donate a kidney to a stranger not only saved a life but also gave Markeyah a new beginning.
- Despite the challenges of chronic illness, Markeyah’s journey illustrates the importance of faith, community, and perseverance.
- Her experience of motherhood and her educational pursuits underscore the promise of living life fully post-transplant.
“I believe it's called advanced kidney donation, where she is not able to donate to me, but she is able to donate to someone else who is in need of a transplant, and that essentially makes me a priority.”
- Markeyah Lewis
“So your mom affectionately named her kidney that she donated brown sugar. Yes. So brown sugar is doing well with Charlie.”
- Markeyah Lewis
“And so I think that is like the biggest promise that I can keep, again, to my donor and their family and myself, is just to continue to live my life fully.”
- Markeyah Lewis
“It was often hard for me to imagine what my life would be like, not on dialysis or, you know, not battling a chronic illness. And it may seem simple, but really truly, just don't give up.”
- Markeyah Lewis
Resources:
https://www.networkforhope.org/
https://www.networkforhope.org/about-us/
https://www.facebook.com/NetworkForHopeOPO
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