We Thought Life Couldn’t Get Worse After Our Family Tragedy We Were Wrong
A family’s struggle deepens as two sisters face life-threatening health issues. Their journey highlights resilience and the importance of community support during tough times.
Cheadle Hulme, Kidney Failure, Transplant, Health, Family, Fundraising
Ruby was just seven when she started having headaches. Her parents, Gary and Kelly, thought it was just migraines. But after tests, they learned Ruby had kidney failure. Doctors had to remove both her kidneys.
Years later, Ruby got a transplant, but it rejected. Now, she’s back on the waiting list. Just when they thought they were coping, Poppy, who is now 12, started having headaches and vomiting too.
At first, doctors said it was asthma. But her condition worsened, and she was rushed to the hospital. Tragically, Poppy suffered a cardiac arrest and her heart stopped for 25 minutes.
The cause is still unclear, but it might be linked to high blood pressure. Sadly, Poppy also has kidney failure and brain damage. She can’t walk or talk now, and she’s also on the transplant list.
Gary, who juggles caring for Poppy and working, shared how overwhelming it is. He said, “With Ruby, we were hit hard with kidney failure. You don’t get a chance to think. It’s scary to go through this again with Poppy.”
Despite everything, Poppy can still communicate by moving her arms. Gary says she understands everything. “She lifts her arm for ‘yes’ and drops it for ‘no’,” he explained.
Ruby, on the other hand, is on dialysis three times a week. Each session lasts about four hours. It’s tough, especially with her GCSE exams coming up. After dialysis, she’s exhausted and goes straight to bed.
But Ruby is determined to help others. She’s started a GoFundMe to raise money for sensory items for Poppy and fun activities for kids in the hospital.
In her appeal, Ruby wrote, “Having to stay in hospital can be tough. I want to help make it a little better for others.” She hopes to bring smiles to those facing similar struggles. If you can help, it would mean a lot to her and her family.