ST. MARTINVILLE, La. (KLFY) -- On Sept. 9, 2018 Terria Johnson learned she would need a new kidney. After getting a second opinion with a nephrologist, she learned she would also need a new pancreas.
"When I did the second opinion, they did a full thorough of everything, and he told me that I needed another pancreas because I was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of fifteen," Johnson said.
Johnson tells News 10 she's been waiting to begin this life-changing journey for the past seven years. After a prolonged wait, she says she was cleared to have the surgery on Aug. 7 and received a call on Aug. 9 to begin the surgery at a Texas hospital. However, she says the surgery was cancelled due to the organs not being a perfect match.
Since being diagnosed, Johnson has been in and out of dialysis. To be put on the waiting list for both transplants, she was told she would need to shed weight and eat healthier. Through everything, she says her family has always been there. Her father, Ulysess Johnson, said he's been a source of comfort for her, and has attended doctor appointments with her.
"I make sure she and when she say 'Daddy,' I'm there, I'm about to walk in," he said. "I say, 'Alright, call me when you get out of there, I'll talk with you on the way back.' I've been doing that for seven-plus years."
Her mother, Bernadine Johnson, said its been difficult to watch her daughter go through her journey, but says she reminds her everyday to have faith that she will get through it.
"Many of nights I sat down, I looked at my baby and I cried, actually cried, and just prayed and asked God to walk with us with this disease, everyday I remind her that she got God on her side," she said.
Terria's older son, Isaiah Leon, says he and his brother have had to care for their mother since they were young. He says their mom is their main priority, and says they will always be there to help her conquer it all.
"I try to instill it in my little brother, God made us grown early, I've been doing this since I was fifteen, sixteen, and you wouldn't even tell if you saw me on a daily basis, if God give you a battle, he gonna make sure you can stand through it," said Isaiah.
Despite all of her challenges, Johnson says she wants to become a patient advocate and help others through their struggles.
"I want to help someone else with their journey and let them know that everything is going to be okay, you just gotta be obedient and patient and believe in your higher power and know that he's going to take you to the next level, don't give up, give up is not an answer," said Terria.
The family has created a GoFundMe to pay for Terria's surgery expenses.
The family also says a fundraiser will be held Oct. 20 in St. Martinville at Notre Dame Catholic Church.
