Diagnosed with stage 4 chronic kidney disease (CKD) in late 2023, Mondeson Mondesir—a father and husband from Florida—embarked on an unexpected medical journey. What began as a weight loss goal turned critical after a ruptured kidney, sepsis, and a sharp drop in kidney function. Following multiple surgeries, including a partial nephrectomy for stage 1 kidney cancer, Mondeson is now being evaluated for transplant. Despite the challenges, he’s found purpose in advocacy and a deeper appreciation for life.  

My kidney journey started out with me wanting to lose weight. I made a decision to shed the many extra pounds that I had because I was contracting pneumonia every single year up to 2023. Between the year prior and then, I lost around 125 lb. I struggled with high blood pressure and by then the blood pressure became malignant.  

In December 2023, I got hit with pneumonia and was diagnosed with stage 4 kidney disease. The following month I went to see a nephrologist who began managing my blood pressure with medication and  performed a biopsy to determine the underlying cause of the issue . A week later, I went for testing at Tampa General hospital for any genetic factors with the Moffitt center. While at the hospital, my left kidney that was biopsied ruptured.  

While my left kidney was bleeding out, my right kidney was suffering from hydronephrosis [Editor’s note : a condition in which the kidney becomes swollen due to a buildup of urine] causing me to become somewhat septic. My GFR dropped from 24% to 11%. The doctors at Tampa General immediately brought me into surgery for my left kidney to stop the bleeding. The next day, I went in to get a stent placed into my right kidney to drain the excess fluid that was building up. 

After spending over two weeks in the hospital, I was discharged – only to return shortly after  for additional scans to monitor a mass in my right kidney. There was a lot of trauma with this one because my left kidney had just ruptured and was barely  functioning.  

Around April 2024, the exceptional doctors and transplant team at Tampa General inserted a fistula [Editor’s note: a fistula is a surgical connection between an artery and a vein to allow easier vascular access] } in my right arm in the event the right kidney also needed to be biopsied. Around that same time, I met with the Urology Department at the University of South Florida and they developed a plan to perform a robotic partial nephrectomy to remove the mass and diagnose it.  

Tampa General also connected me with  their transplant program, so that I could learn everything I needed about becoming a potential kidney recipient. 

It was a time filled with fear and concern – especially as a father and a husband.

I was not ready to leave this world with so much still undone.

This past October, I underwent a partial nephrectomy to remove the tumor along with a portion of my kidney. The pathology report recently confirmed that it was stage 1 renal cell carcinoma with negative margins. In addition, the urology team discovered an obstruction in my right ureter which was in a tortuous position. I am now scheduled for my eighth surgery to reconstruct my ureter. Given my cancer diagnosis at under 46, I am also undergoing genetic testing to check for possible hereditary predispositions.  

All of this has happened while battling CKD, undergoing the necessary lab tests, and MRIs {Editor’s note: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a medical technique that uses a magnetic field and radio waves to produce detailed images of the body’s organs and tissues}, and managing my mental health. I must say that I am thankful for the journey my CKD diagnosis has taken me on. It has not only given me a greater appreciation for life, but it has also sparked a passion to advocate for others facing similar battles. 

Disclaimer: The blog series is intended for informational purposes only and is not meant to endorse or promote any specific drug, product, or brand. Each individual’s experience is unique and should not be construed as medical advice or a guarantee of similar results for others. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any decisions regarding your health and well-being.