I wish to go to Ocean City
Geneseis
15
kidney transplant
Geneseis' Family Bonds At The Beach
It was early last year when now 15-year-old Geneseis began to feel unwell. After a visit to her doctor and some bloodwork, she would receive devastating news – she had kidney failure. After finally receiving a kidney transplant this year, Geneseis wanted to turn the page in her medical journey and mark a new chapter in her life by spending a week at the beach with her family – one of her favorite places to go. From horseback rides to playing volleyball on the beaches in Ocean City, Geneseis’ time in the sun and the sand provided her with the respite she and her family needed after a long, hard year.
Below is a letter from Geneseis’ mom, Norma.
“It was January 2nd when she started having problems. The doctor told me it was a virus, but I knew it had to be something else. They did a blood test, sent us to the emergency room, and then we found out her kidney was failing and in its last stage, and she needed a transplant. That was the start of the nightmare.
She has been in the hospital more than ten times. I thought my daughter was going to die. I was so afraid to lose my daughter, my baby. I had different emotions – sadness, anger. Why was this happening to her? I had so many questions. I couldn’t believe this was happening. But we had to deal with the situation. I had to be strong for my daughter.
She received her transplant on April 10th of this year. I received the call, and it was the happiest day of my life. It is sad to know that a person had to die so that my daughter could live. I think a lot about that.
For her wish, she wanted to be happy with our family, to spend quality time together, because during COVID it was only me that was allowed in the hospital with her. But now, on her wish, we are together all four of us, and we’ve laughed, we’ve cried, we’ve played. She loves the beach. She wanted to spend time with her family anywhere, but the beach is full of fresh air, and she was able to go horse riding, visit the beach, go to the boardwalk, play games, and she was so happy.
This wish has been so relaxing and I’m happy to see my daughter okay. I am extremely grateful for this opportunity that someone would think about my daughter like this. To the people that made this happen, you don’t know what you’ve done for my daughter. It was a blessing. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.”
