Woman spent a year trying to discover her kidney donor. When her husband revealed who it was, she was overcome with emotion
After two years of waiting, doubt and hopelessness, the woman witnessed a miracle.
Our loved ones are our strongest support systems and come through in the hardest times. They step up to do the unthinkable just to see us happy and thriving. A woman named Shardae Orr (@shardaoeorr) was struggling with Polycystic Kidney Disease. Since her diagnosis, things had been especially hard, challenges rushing towards her frequently. She had her moments of weakness and doubt but her family and faith helped her hold on until she could find a donor and have a kidney transplant. After a long wait and with so many questions gone unanswered, Orr finally received a match, and the identity of the donor left her speechless.
Orr’s kidney condition affected the functioning of her organs. According to Mayo Clinic, Polycystic Kidney Disease is when clusters of cysts form in the kidney. They grow over time and affect basic functioning. Caused by genetics, it is the most common disease passed between families. People between the ages of 30 and 40 are more likely to develop Polycystic Kidney Disease. Orr mentioned that before she knew she had to do a transplant, she had a series of medications and treatments to work something out. Throughout, her husband, Emmett, stuck with her. Through all the fear, worry, and hopelessness, he became her strength.
Emmett applied to donate to Orr but was not a match for her, so the woman was placed on the waitlist, which felt like forever. According to the American Kidney Fund, the waitlist for a kidney transplant is between three and five years or even longer. Over 90,0000 people are on the waitlist for a kidney transplant, and around 13 die every day because their time runs short waiting for the organ. For Orr, every day was filled with unprecedented realities and no idea of what was to come next. “No one knew the suffering better than Emmett and he was there every step of the way,” she remarked.
Orr was on the waitlist for two years before a miracle took place. In another video, she revealed how she learned about her donor. Emmet and she were on a date night when he slid her a card, which revealed that he had been given the go-ahead to be her donor. “After being told he potentially was not a match, to find out he was approved, in the perfect timing for me to forgo dialysis. I can’t thank God enough for keeping us both through it all,” she wrote. The transplant was successful in September 2024, and the duo has been living their best lives since.
She revealed in a post that she doesn’t hesitate for one second when she tells others that her husband “saved her life” because he quite literally did. “This will forever be my biggest marriage flex,” Orr remarked. @tammy_fitjourney said, “This is what LOVE is about! I’m in tears and so happy for you both!” @dukedenisss added, "You literally have a piece of him inside you. He will always be a part of you now. This is amazing.” @thehope_diamond remarked, “Wow, this is everything.” @tpresss wrote, “This or nothing.”
You can follow Shardae Orr (@shardaeorr) on Instagram for more content on relationships and lifestyle.
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