Meet Tom Rosso

For Tom Rosso, a retired registered nurse, kidney disease was never a distant medical possibility. It was a woven thread in his family’s history. Growing up, he witnessed the heavy toll the disease took on his loved ones. He watched his grandmother endure the grueling, repetitive cycle of dialysis before her life was cut short. Years later, Tom saw his father face the same struggle, eventually receiving a life-extending transplant from his own sister, a gift of life that has now spanned decades. By the time Tom was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD), he knew what to do. He understood exactly what was at stake. 

Despite his deep familiarity with the condition, Tom’s diagnosis began in a deceptively quiet manner. While his creatinine levels and lab results initially appeared normal, his PKD was silently progressing. Armed with his professional background in nursing and the memory of his father’s journey, Tom chose a
path of radical proactivity. 

While Tom’s journey took him through several major medical institutions, his experience often felt fragmented until he met Dr. Rastogi at CORE Kidney at UCLA Health. Before this, Tom had navigated a confusing array of recommendations where he was prescribed off-label medications for diuretics and gout
that left him feeling uncertain about his care. The shift occurred when Tom was referred to a drug study under Dr. Rastogi and his research team. From their first study, it was clear that Dr. Rastogi provided more medical oversight than any previous doctor did. He provided a partnership. Tom describes Dr. Rastogi as “one of a kind and truly supportive,” a physician who didn’t just look at lab results but looked at the person behind the diagnosis. 

As his kidney function began to decline, Tom remained focused on a singular, strategic goal: a pre-emptive transplant. Having seen and heard the reality of dialysis from his family, he was determined to bypass dialysis entirely. Under Dr. Rastogi’s guidance, Tom wasn’t just a patient on a waiting list; he was his advocate. CORE Kidney advocated for his transplant and supported his desire for a preemptive transplant.

The hero of his story comes through his sister Anne, who was also a labor and delivery nurse. On November 7, 2018, both siblings' lives changed forever. Tom recalls that the foundational knowledge of his condition and the confidence he gained under Dr. Rastogi’s care were what allowed him to reach his
transplant day in good condition. 

The path to recovery had its hurdles, and though Tom had hoped for a steroid-free protocol, the discovery of unexpected antibodies meant he required high doses of steroids to protect his new kidney. The medication brought a whirlwind of obstacles like mood changes, insomnia, and unstable blood pressure, but Tom navigated his condition with the same patience he had once given to his own patients. Furthermore, the continuation of CORE Kidney’s involvement post-transplant was all the difference between feeling lost in the healthcare system and finally feeling empowered in his recovery.

Today, Tom approaches his post-transplant life with the discipline of a professional and the gratitude of a survivor. He treats his health as a full-time job, maintaining a level of compliance that serves as a model for others. He never misses a dose, never skips a lab draw, and has mastered the art of “thinking out further” to protect his health. 

In a world that has become more dangerous for the immunocompromised, Tom has adapted with grace. He schedules his dental and dermatology appointments for the very first slot of the morning to avoid crowded waiting rooms and completes his grocery shopping at the store’s opening. His physical regimen
is equally impressive. He walks ten miles every day, often accompanied by his neighbor’s dogs, finding solace in the movement that kidney disease once threatened to take away. 

Tom Rosso's journey is a testament to the power of preparation and the necessity of advocacy. He still carries business cards to every doctor’s appointment, with his questions neatly written on the back, ensuring that no detail is ever overlooked. To him, the transplant was not an endpoint, but a second chance to live life defined by movement, family, and the continued wisdom of a patient who knows the value of every single heartbeat.

If you are interested in becoming an organ donor, please call (310) 794-5023 to speak to one of our
team members to get started.