Turning Years of Pain into Something Meaningful: Callista Djiu’s Nutcracker Donation Story
Pain had been part of my life for decades, although I didn’t know what was causing it. For years, I learned to live with it, finding temporary relief through things like massage and stretching. Eventually, the pain became much worse and began affecting my everyday life.
In June 2025, I went to Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where I was finally diagnosed with Nutcracker Syndrome (NCS) and Pelvic Congestion Syndrome. Having a diagnosis finally gave me answers, but it also left me with a difficult decision about what to do next.
I tried to educate myself as much as possible about NCS, the different treatments available, and the risks that came with each one. After years of living with pain, I didn’t want to keep chasing temporary solutions. I wanted to choose the option I felt most comfortable with for my long-term health, put the pain behind me, and finally move forward.
After carefully weighing my options, I felt that removing my left kidney was the safest path for me. But my kidney itself was healthy, and one thought kept coming back to me: Why throw away a healthy kidney when someone else desperately needs one?
After extensive evaluation at Mayo Clinic, I was able to move forward with living kidney donation. Choosing donation didn’t mean I wasn’t afraid. I had plenty of questions about the surgery, recovery, and what living with one kidney would mean for the rest of my life. But after educating myself, asking questions, and understanding the risks, I felt at peace with my decision.
On the other side of that decision was Julie.
After the transplant, I learned that Julie was doing well. Seeing her ring the bell after being released from the transplant floor is something I will never forget. While I was recovering from my own surgery, knowing that my kidney was now helping someone else live her life gave an entirely different meaning to everything I had been through.
By sharing my story, I hope to raise awareness of NCS and encourage others who may be struggling with unexplained pain to keep asking questions, educate themselves, and explore the treatment options available to them.
For years, all I wanted was an answer and a way to live without the pain. I never expected that finding my own way forward would also give me the opportunity to help someone else.
What began as a decision about my own health became one of the most meaningful things I have ever done.
About the Author
Callista Djiu was born and raised in Jakarta, Indonesia, and moved to the United States after earning her degree in Communication with a concentration in Public Relations. She has called San Angelo, Texas, home since 2012 and has built a career in real estate, helping families find a place to call home. She is a proud mom of two boys. Outside of work, Callista has always loved cooking and baking, although chronic pain from Nutcracker Syndrome sometimes limited her ability to enjoy the things she loved. She looks forward to getting back in the kitchen, creating new dishes, baking, and sharing her favorite treats with others.