If you saw Chastity Bowie walking down the street, you would spot a hip teenager with wavy blonde hair. You’d probably notice her nicely manicured nails and trendy clothes flattering her slender physique. Chastity’s most important accessory, however, is invisible to the naked eye—it is her badge of courage.
Born with kidney disease, 17-year-old Chastity has had five surgeries and countless doctor appointments. Three and a half years ago, one of her kidneys failed. That left her with one working kidney, which failed this past August. She is on the waiting list for a kidney transplant, but for now has to wait it out. She undergoes dialysis four times a week for four hours each session and takes nine different medications.
“We just have to be patient,” says her mom, Lisa, while sitting next to Chastity and her daughter’s tool-like box filled with medicine. “She’s a brave kid and deals with things really well; and for the most part she stays pretty positive.”
Chastity started her senior year of high school this fall. Unable to attend classes, she has been home-schooled since February. “It’s nice to be home, but I’m looking forward to going back to school.”
When not studying or at Children’s Hospital, she likes riding on the back of her dad’s motorcycle, listening to rap music, chatting on her computer, cooking, getting a manicure and hanging out with her brothers and sisters. She adds that she played football with her brothers last week, only 10 days after having her second kidney removed. “The hardest part is dialysis,” says Chastity.
Even though its’ been hard, it has had its positive side. She has made lots of friends, including meeting her boyfriend, who undergoes dialysis, too. “We’ve been dating since Aug. 11,” she says quite proudly. The Bowies are hopeful that Chastity will get a kidney transplant soon so she can finally live a more normal life.
Chastity already knows what she wants to do in the near future. “I wanna be a nurse. It looks like fun.” She plans to attend LLU School of Nursing. But for now, the focus is on getting well and hanging in there during the rough times. She will hang out with her family, friends and her new boyfriend with hope for a brighter and healthier future.
By Patricia K. Thio
