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Santa Clarita Mother Of Four Celebrates Kidney Transplant (VIDEO)

In 2002, Santa Clarita resident Nathalie De found out her father had polycystic kidney disease — a disorder without a known cure.


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De learned that her father would need dialysis to support his failing kidney and eventually a kidney transplant, if he was a candidate.

“I was hopeful and was not ready to let him go yet,” said De.

Although she was determined to help her father, De soon found out that she herself had inherited the disease.

“I went from feeling disappointed that I couldn’t help my father, to scared that my life was over, to fortunate to have found that out at an early stage, to scared again,” said De.

A widowed mother of four, De decided to share her story with KHTS Radio, revealing the hardships and struggles of battling her disease while keeping up with the responsibilities of raising her four children on her own.

Related: Santa Clarita Mother Of Four Seeking Kidney Transplant

But then, De met Terri Miller, a local Santa Clarita resident who she had never met before, but lived a couple neighborhoods away.

“I just felt very drawn to help her,” said Miller. “And it was really on my heart to help her and I called the radio station the next day. And I found out she needed the help so I started the process.”

De was immediately drawn to meet her, which happened for the first time in a KHTS studio when there was still no confirmation on whether or not Miller could give De her kidney.

“When I heard that she wanted to give me life — which is what she’s doing — it just touched my heart,” said De.

And 16 years after being diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease, De received a kidney transplant, escaping the extensive process of hemodialysis, a three-hour treatment she underwent three times each week.

“When I woke up, the feeling was very beautiful,” said De. “I was able to feel that something was happening in my body and every day I’m very grateful for the gift that Terri gave me.”

When Miller woke up from her surgery, she was dazed for several hours, but asked about De whenever possible.

“I was really at peace and calm about the whole thing and I felt like God’s hands were in this whole process and I just knew it was the right thing to do,” said Miller. “I wanted to make sure she was okay.”

Today, De and Miller celebrate the one-month-anniversary of her kidney transplant.

Related: Santa Clarita Mother Gets Kidney Transplant Surgery Date After Feature On KHTS Radio

“It’s a blessing to be able to do things again,” said De. “I’m doing better. My body is adjusting to the medications and new kidney, but all is well.”

The two have fostered a friendship throughout the process, speaking on the phone or texting almost every day, going out to eat and getting together for family outings.

“I think the blessings far outweigh going through surgery and having all the tests done,” said Miller. “That feeling in your heart that you’re helping someone feels wonderful.”

And although De has check-up appointments scheduled with UCLA for the next two months, she has much more flexibility with her time to do things that dialysis was stopping her from doing.

“I’m looking forward to doing more things,” said De. “Life is better.”

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Santa Clarita Mother Of Four Celebrates Kidney Transplant (VIDEO)

One comment

  1. Nathalie was my neighbor in Santa Clarita and I took on the roll of “Grandma” to her boys. I have been praying for her for years. I moved to Miami Beach in January of this year and I miss them each and every day. Terri Miller, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you did. I KNOW God will richly bless you for this kind act. I will always keep you in my prayers too.

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About Lorena Mejia

Lorena was born and raised in the San Fernando Valley. She attended California State University Northridge where she double majored in Journalism and Chicano Studies and minored in Spanish Language Journalism. While at CSUN, she worked for the university's television and radio newscast. Through her journalistic work, she earned membership to Kappa Tau Alpha, a national honor society for selected journalists. Her passion for the community has introduced her to new people, ideas, and issues that have helped shape the person she is today. Lorena’s skills include using cameras as a tool to empower people by informing them and creating change in their communities. Some of her hobbies include reading the news, exploring the outdoors, and being an avid animal lover. To contact Lorena, send your messages to lorena@hometownstation.com.