She gave her kidney to her daughter to save her life, today they are graduating from nursing school together

Since Nija Butler gave birth to her daughter, Ambrealle, in high school, they have shared a unique bond. She describes her as her “best friend” and “confidante.”

So, when doctors diagnosed Ambrealle, who was otherwise healthy, with a rare kidney disease called focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), which can lead to total kidney failure, both mother and daughter were devastated.

Doctors discovered that one of her kidneys was leaking too much protein during a routine check-up and decided to do additional tests to determine what was going on. They told her that if she didn’t get a kidney or go on dialysis, she would die.

Nija told WAFB, “I can basically say that was the worst day ever. I felt helpless listening to the doctor saying you won’t live. That was just something I never thought I would hear for my child.”

She added, “As a mother, you want to be the person that can fix anything that’s going on for your child, and at that moment, I knew there was nothing I could do.”

For five years, Ambrealle’s only options were to begin dialysis and join a kidney transplant waiting list. She could spend up to 13 hours every day hooked up to her machine. She said, “That was scary knowing that this tube is keeping me alive.”

Nija supported her daughter through every stage, even if it was difficult. Then one day, Nija decided she needed to do more.

She recounted, “Ambrealle called me, and she was having one of her bad days and she was crying, and it was just in my gut that I needed to see because I really felt like I was helpless. Even though I was being told that I probably wouldn’t be a match, I just said all they can do is tell me yes or no.”

Nija underwent testing to determine whether she could donate one of her kidneys without telling her daughter. Doctors warned her that the chances of a successful match were slim, but not impossible. Tulane contacted Nija a few days after the testing and informed her that she was an ideal match.

“It was probably like the best news I’ve ever heard in my life because I waited for that call for so long and I didn’t even know she was doing it,” Ambrealle said.

Several weeks later, Ambrealle and Nija were being prepared for surgery at Tulane Medical Center. Ambrealle had to stay in the intensive care unit for two days before she was able to see her mother.

They both couldn’t bear the sight of each other’s suffering. Still, it was a special time for both of them.

“She gave birth to me, and she gave me a second chance at life, so she gave me life twice,” Ambrealle explained.

Ambrealle resolved to pursue her dream of becoming a registered nurse with her second chance at life, but only with her mother by her side. However, there was an unexpected twist.

“We both applied, and I got in, and she didn’t,” said Nija. “I told her, ‘Well I’m not going if you’re not going!’”

Ambrealle, however, did not want to deny her mother this opportunity so she asked her to go on without her. In the end, the school invited Ambrealle to join the class.

They enrolled in a 16-month registered nurse program at Baton Rouge General School of Nursing together. Ambrealle stayed motivated despite long study hours, tests, and labs because she wanted to give back one day.

Now she’ll get the opportunity. By the end of April, she and her mother will walk across the graduation stage together and begin their lives serving others.

“Knowing that she’s going to branch out on her own and that I’m going to branch out, that’s scary for me because this is my best friend and I hope nothing changes,” said Nija.

Ambrealle added, “She’s not going to allow anything to change I mean she calls me every five minutes haha so whether I’m branching out or not, I’m not going to be far. I’m glad to do life with you, and I love you.”

The mother-daughter duo said they have goals of establishing their own business together while continuing to help other kidney patients and their families.