Angela is the mother of a twelve year old girl with a kidney transplant, the result of a urinary tract infection that was not treated in time. Through her experience we can see that some chronic kidney diseases can be avoided and her testimony is an alert to mothers and fathers of children who have had a urinary infection, regular fevers, malaise, loss of appetite and other symptoms.
Ángela Hidalgo lives in Panguipulli, Región de los Ríos and shares with us her moving story as a mother of three daughters and currently as a caregiver since the youngest of them was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure due to nephropathy. Her journey, marked by late diagnoses and medical challenges, highlights the importance of prevention and support in situations of kidney disease.
Angela's odyssey began in 2017 when her youngest daughter, Tania, was diagnosed in terminal stage because of a urinary tract infection not treated in time. Now 12 years old, Tania has had to face peritoneal dialysis and a kidney transplant performed at Ezequiel Gonzalez Hospital in April 2019.
Ángela, recounting her experience, stresses the need to raise awareness of the symptoms and the importance of acting quickly when faced with possible kidney problems in children. The urinary tract infection that affected Tania from the age of 10 months manifested itself with persistent fevers and malaise, but, unfortunately, she did not receive adequate treatment in time: "You trust what the doctor tells you," says Ángela, stressing the importance of questioning and seeking second opinions if necessary. After years of late diagnoses, Tania was transplanted thanks to a living donor, her own father.
An additional difficulty for patients who live in the regions is having to find lodging when they have to travel to Santiago to visit specialists and undergo treatment. "Having the Casa de Acogida is wonderful, the best thing that could have happened to us was to come here", says Ángela. Casa MATER has provided the family with a safe place close to the hospital, alleviating logistical worries and allowing them to focus on Tania's treatment.
This brave mother urges other parents to take symptoms of urinary tract infections in their children seriously, to ask questions and seek information. "The ideal would be prevention," Angela comments, highlighting the need for awareness and education about children's kidney health. Angela concludes her story by sharing her hope for Tania's treatment and thanking the support she has received. Her story serves as a testament to the importance of prevention and early care to avoid complications in children's kidney health.
