Time to find a kidney

My dear friends and family,

I need Kidney Champions!  I meet the transplant team at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center – Kidney and Pancreas Transplant Center on August 12th at 9:45 am in the main lobby.  It is requested that if there is anyone interested in being a potential donor or wants to be on my Kidney Champion Find a Kidney Team.  If you cannot make it then and still want to be on my team, please let me know and spread the word.  My function went down to where I need to be listed for a kidney transplant.  I had been rebounding for almost a year.  My labs did not rebound as was hoped. I am very optimistic that I will find a kidney, however I need your help.  Getting the word out is very important.  Please contact me through my alternate e-mail--dklouks1962@comcast.net or message me on Facebook.  I plan to post a separate page for rallying my kidney champions.  

I am blood type O.  I can only receive a kidney from the O group, negative or positive does not matter.  I cannot refer possible donors to UC; the prospective donor must contact them.  My insurance will cover the costs of testing and surgery, it will not cover wages or time off from work.  This surgery is done laproscopically now.  If the prospective donor is not compatible and still wants to donate US will try to find someone who you match and they have a donor that will match me and make a ‘trade’, so to speak.  I am very grateful for those who said they would check for compatibility.  The transplant surgeons will not take any unnecessary chances in harvesting a kidney that may compromise the donor in any way. 

I am staying optimistic; however life is more fragile now.  I get so very tired.  I notice the changes my body is enduring and sometimes it is tough.  I savor every moment I have with my grandbabies.  I want to spend time with dear friends and family.  My sons are wonderful about the things they deal with for me.  I am not ready to go just yet.  There is too much to do. 

I have been working hard on my genealogy.  I have several lines back to Adam and Eve now.  It has been incredible!  Such a joy!  I never thought I would ever get any that far! I love searching out my earthly roots, knowing surely that I have a Heavenly Father and I am a daughter of the Most High. 

I find activities to help me unwind and try to exercise.   I don’t get much of the latter in when I am wiped out though.  I got an injection of a drug that helps to boost my blood count, (that was a fast 1000.00, 1 shot) but it will be worth it to help me have more energy. I walk five days a week and I try to garden with my grandbabies when I am off.  I am trying to finish some things I started.  I plan to work on a lot of these things while recuperating too.  I need to start a list!  LOL!  

I am grateful to my Heavenly Father for all of the blessings and tender mercies I have received; they are too numerous to articulate!  I can honestly say I am the happiest I have ever been!  I was afraid it would be just the opposite.  Live life and hold on to every second. 

You will never know how much any support means to me, beyond the obvious.  Those who cannot donate please spread the word for me and say a few prayers.  :)

 ~Deb

UC Health Transplant Program

Kidney and Pancreas Transplant:   (513) 584-7001

http://uchealth.com/transplant/conditions-treatments/kidney/

Debora's Quest for Kidney Champions- My Facebook Group Page

Please join my group if you are interested in helping me succeed with my quest.