I hope this blog post finds you well. Unfortunately, I know that if you’re reading this, there’s a good chance that either you or someone you care about has been diagnosed with or is suspected to have IgA Nephropathy. That’s a huge bummer. The good news is you’re not alone.

My name is Ariana, but I go by Ari. At the time of writing, it’s New Years Day 2023 and I’m 29 years old. I was diagnosed with IgAN just a few months ago, in September 2022. Like most people would be, I was horrified to find out that I have an incurable illness. Even though I had a few symptoms of kidney disease, I never expected to be faced with a life-altering diagnosis. Sadly, this is not my first rodeo. I also have genetic type 2 diabetes, which further complicates my ability to live normally. It’s hard enough living with one disease that requires dietary restrictions, let alone two. But enough about me.

What is the purpose of this blog? Well, I think it has several purposes. First and foremost, I wanted to create a resource for my fellow IgAN patients. When I was first diagnosed, I noticed that a lot of the information about IgAN online is written from an outsider’s perspective, and I found that disheartening. I want to help fill that void. I plan on sharing all kinds of information about diet, treatment options, recipes, clinical studies, and so much more. Additionally, I hope to share inspiration on how to live mindfully. I know all too well how hard it is to live with an invisible illness, but I hope that my positivity will rub off on you. Lastly, this is a place for me to write about my personal journey with IgA Nephropathy. From first symptom to diagnosis, I will be sharing exactly what the process was like, and will post updates as time passes.

Thank you for being here, we’ll get through this together.

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy 2023! ♡ Ari