Shaylee Willis' life was changed forever when she was diagnosed with an incurable autoimmune disease just days after her 21st birthday. Now she is patiently waiting for a life-saving kidney transplant from a donor.
In 2016, a healthy zookeeper trainee from Sydney received life-changing news that he had contracted systemic lupus erythematosus, possibly after a fall from a horse.
At the time she worked full time at a stable, hoisting hay every morning, looking after the animals and teaching kids how to ride ponies – now, due to physical limitations, she is a puppy school teacher.
Lupus nephritis caused kidney disease and required dialysis three times a week, four hours per session.
Sydney puppy trainer Shaylee (pictured) was diagnosed with lupus – an incurable disease – in 2016, aged 21. This led to kidney disease and she is now waiting for a kidney transplant from a donor.
Shaylee, now 29, told FEMAIL she is currently on the waiting list for a kidney transplant, which has restricted her ability to travel and make long-term plans.
There are currently 1,800 people on the waiting list for organ transplants and a further 14,000 on dialysis for kidney failure who need Australia's help.
Sadly, more than 50 patients died last year while waiting for a second chance at life.
It takes just one minute to register as an organ or tissue donor. DonateLife Website Or triple tap on the Express Plus Medicare app.
“I'm always waiting for the phone to ring. I have to be close to the hospital because when I get the call I have to be there by a certain time to receive my kidney,” Shaylee explained.
“Every time I get a call, I expect it to be about a transplant, so it can be quite frustrating.
Speaking to FEMAIL, Shaylee said she keeps her phone ringing at full volume all the time as doctors could call at any moment, waiting for a second chance at life.
“I'm just wondering when it's my turn. I think everyone on the waiting list is thinking the exact same thing.”
“But at the same time, I can't keep waiting to live. I just take each day as it comes.”
Kidney disease also requires strict dietary restrictions, including limiting potassium and sodium intake, which can be life-threatening. This means no potato chips, no hot chips, no bananas, and no more than 1.5 litres of fluid a day, as this can be fatal.
Before her diagnosis, Shaylee would feel dizzy and unsteady, then her knees would swell and she would experience pain in her joints.
Sensing something was not right, she went to the doctor and was examined, but initially nothing was found to be wrong. She then suffered from severe anemia, extremely low blood counts, frequent fainting spells and immune system problems.
Two months later, she received her diagnosis.
“It all happened so quickly and initially they thought I had rheumatoid arthritis because of the joint issues. Then I got tested for lupus,” she said, adding that she was also going through a breakup.
“When I was first diagnosed, they put a catheter in my stomach so dialysis would be easier. Lupus was easily cured with medication, but once I got kidney disease everything got worse.”
Despite the challenges, Shaylee remains hopeful of a transplant and is determined not to waste her life waiting. Her story highlights the importance of organ donation and the huge impact it can have on people's lives.
The diagnosis was sudden, as her grandmother had also developed lupus after a car accident.
This chronic condition dramatically affected her social life, work and relationships, forcing her to adapt to a new normal at a young age.
Because her kidneys can no longer properly regulate the amount of fluid in her body, Shaylee must undergo hemodialysis (a filtering machine) to regulate her body's fluids.
She worked full time for as long as she could and then switched to part-time work to become a puppy teacher.
The past three years have been spent waiting for a very important phone call about a kidney transplant.
Despite the challenges, Shaylee remains hopeful of a transplant and is determined not to waste her life waiting.
Her story highlights the importance of organ donation and the huge impact it can have on people's lives.
If you are considering donating, please use the Express Plus Medicare app or AustraliaDon't forget to tell your family about your desire to be a donor – someone's life depends on it.
