Thing 1
I suppose I should clarify a few things about what is required for my to receive a kidney.
I would need a donor who has O+ or O- blood types (unless mine has changed since last it was checked...LOL) After the blood type matches then they check for other tissue matching. The closer I match with someone the risk of rejection is a little lower.
Anyone interested in being a donor must contact the facility in which I am referred. Right now we are looking to be referred at least to University of Cincinnati Medical Center; Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Unit. Once the donor contacts the unit they would have to go through some testing to make sure they would be a viable donor and there would be some questions concerning commitment From there if approved the details of where, when, and why get ironed out. I really don't have anymore info other than that at this time. I think they are trying not to over-load me. I am not referred yet, but expect to be shortly.
Thing 2
A lot of people ask me, "How do you get through this?". Well, that is a loaded question. There are several things. First and foremost, LOTS and LOTS of prayers!
Second, I have a great deal of faith. I know I am being watched over, no matter the result. Heavenly Father has ALWAYS been there to look out for me. I have seen His hand in every step in dealing with PKD and with other things. Third, I read a great deal. Have you ever wondered why you may have taken a particular course in school and then decided that it was not the right direction? Hind sight is truly 20/20. I took a class many years ago in pre-nursing. I was very young and shy at the time and found it difficult to deal with possibly injuring someone so, I moved on. I was very good with the technicalities of anatomy and physiology but could not get over my fear. Well, a few years afterwards I tended my terminally ill grandparents. I loved them dearly and decided to keep them in their home and my aunt and I took care of what they needed along with home health care nurses. A great deal of what I learned really paid off then. That class has helped me in so many ways since. I am so glad I took it!
Fourth, I listen to lots and lots of music. I have very eclectic taste in music. I love opera, rock, new age, classical, contemporary faith, instrumental, pop, world music, and a little country. I love Elvis, the Osmonds, Yanni, Nathan Pachaeo, Kenneth Cope, John Schneider, Dean Martin, Josh Groban, Queen, Foreigner, Rick Springfield, Eyna, and Loreena McKinnit to name just a few. I don't know what I would do without my Walkman!
Fifth, my children, grandchildren and the rest of my family and friends have been so very supportive. A girl does need someone to lean on from time to time.
Sixth, the doctors and nurses that have been so very kind and have been my advocates from day one! Dr. Barry Bennett; Dr. David S. Nix; Dr. G. Allen Bryant, III; Dr. Radu Zidarescu; the nurses at the Lima Health Systems Renal Clinic in Lima, Ohio and everyone that has been on theses various staff and have been so kind.
Seventh, a great company that has been in my corner and my co-workers and management that have been so supportive with my goals and needs.
Eighth gratitude! I am so very grateful all of the people, places and things that have given me so much joy and experience.
So, with everyone's help in getting the word out, I thank you! I thank everyone who has shared my blog entries and have been my angels along the way. There have been a couple of extra special ones.
I need to go work out now....one of those necessary things I need to do... :)
Until next time!
Deb
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