Danielle’s Story

Hi, I’m Danielle Roessle—a military spouse and mom to a 18-month-old son. On February 18, 2025, I received a life-saving kidney transplant. But soon after, it failed. This is my journey.


I was a healthy, active woman until I gave birth to my son in February 2024. Complications during delivery changed everything—I lost my kidneys and suddenly found myself navigating motherhood while fighting for my life.

Since then, I’ve documented my journey—from surviving dialysis as a new mom to launching a kidney campaign in search of a living donor, to receiving a transplant, and having it fail.

Through my vlogging and writing, I explore not just my own experience but the deeper realities of living with chronic illness, navigating the medical system, and, most importantly, the life-saving impact of organ donation. My hope is to spark deeper reflection, educate, and inspire meaningful conversations.

Whether you’re here as a friend, a fellow patient, or simply curious about what this life is like with kidney disease, I hope you’ll follow along. This story is still unfolding.

Interested in becoming a living kidney donor? Learn more through DOVE, a nonprofit supporting veterans in need.

Blog

Dining Out With Dietary Restrictions

Dining out with dietary restrictions can be challenging, as I learned this week when my meals were served with salt despite clear instructions. These frustrating experiences remind me why I often prefer home-cooked meals. Until my dietary needs change, I’ll likely limit dining out and focus on safer options at home.

Transplant Meeting

After a rough night with a migraine, I’m feeling better and ready to share details from my recent four-hour transplant team meeting. The session deepened my understanding of the process, and I’m grateful for my family’s support. Stay tuned for more updates!

Finding Meaning in Pain

Recently, I’ve been grappling with persistent pain that’s forced me to confront it head-on. After a tough day with dialysis and a severe migraine, I’m reflecting on pain’s deeper significance, exploring how it might teach me resilience and spiritual growth.

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