EP 116: "Full Circle: Interview with Markeyah Lewis on Life, Lupus, and the Gift of a Kidney"

🎙️ Episode Summary

"Full Circle: Interview with Markeyah Lewis on Life, Lupus, and the Gift of a Kidney"

Markeyah Lewis was diagnosed with Lupus, leading to early kidney failure. When her mother wasn’t a direct transplant match, they turned to Advanced Kidney Donation—a life-changing decision that helped Markeyah receive her transplant in 2022. Now a mother and soon-to-be Doctor of Occupational Therapy, Markeyah shares her powerful story of resilience, motherhood, and the miracle of second chances.

 

✨ Episode Highlights

• Andi introduces Markeyah Lewis and invites her to reflect on how they first met four years ago, during her battle with lupus.
• Markeyah shares her inspiring story of resilience and hope amid life-altering circumstances.
• She describes undergoing hemodialysis during her senior year of college.
• Her mother, although not a direct donor match, was determined to help.
• Markeyah explains how Advanced Kidney Donation allowed her mother to donate to another person—making Markeyah a priority on the transplant list.
• In 2022, her mother donated a kidney to a stranger named Charlie, with whom they still keep in touch.
• Andi and Markeyah discuss the importance of honoring the gift of life after a transplant.
• Markeyah offers heartfelt advice for those battling chronic illness, emphasizing the importance of a strong support system.
• They explore the role of faith in navigating health struggles and finding purpose.
• Markeyah shares her deep gratitude for her mother’s selfless act.
• She opens up about her pregnancy journey, which was unexpectedly smooth despite the risks associated with lupus and kidney disease.
• Markeyah also details her mother’s donation journey and her current health.
• She expresses thanks to their medical team and looks forward to becoming an occupational therapist.
• The episode concludes with Markeyah reflecting on her first Mother’s Day.

📝 Key Takeaways

• Markeyah's story sheds light on the power of organ donation and the impact of Advanced Kidney Donation. Her mother’s courage to donate a kidney to a stranger not only saved a life but also gave Markeyah a new beginning.
• Despite the challenges of chronic illness, Markeyah’s journey illustrates the importance of faith, community, and perseverance.
• Her experience of motherhood and her educational pursuits underscore the promise of living life fully post-transplant.

  📢 Tweetable Quotes

“I believe it's called advanced kidney donation, where she is not able to donate to me, but she is able to donate to someone else who is in need of a transplant, and that essentially makes me a priority.”

• Markeyah Lewis

“So your mom affectionately named her kidney that she donated brown sugar. Yes. So brown sugar is doing well with Charlie.” 

• Markeyah Lewis

 

“And so I think that is like the biggest promise that I can keep, again, to my donor and their family and myself, is just to continue to live my life fully.”

• Markeyah Lewis

“It was often hard for me to imagine what my life would be like, not on dialysis or, you know, not battling a chronic illness. And it may seem simple, but really truly, just don't give up.”

• Markeyah Lew