Just over 2 years ago a friend of mine gave birth to a beautiful healthy baby girl. Even though my friend was very excited to be a mommy for the first time, she had other things on her mind. With the birth of her daughter, her kidney’s started to fail. Her mother’s side of the family has a genetic disease that has been passed down, causing many of the family members to eventually need a kidney transplant. Typically any stress to the kidney, such as giving birth, could cause them to fail. She has now been on dialysis for about 8 months (estimating).
Dialysis is done 3 times a week and the process for her starts at home at about 2pm. There are things that are needed to be done before doing the actual procedure. Then it’s off to Dialysis and usually by 7pm, she is finally done and can head home.
After some thought and consideration, I have decided to see if I’m a match to my friend, hoping that I could possibly donate a kidney to her. It has been a lengthy process, but all in all good. I started off by giving my blood samples and type to the donation center at the U of M. My blood type is considered to be universal. Next, they mix my blood with hers to see if there was any negative reaction…none, GOOD. Then it was time for the head to toe physical. I had everything done…EKG, chest x-ray, ct scan of my kidneys, and blood tests. I had my blood pressure taken 3 times though-out the day. The final stop of the day was meeting the surgeon, which I found the most beneficial. He went over the entire donation process from start to finish, including the recovery.
A week after the head to toe physical I received the call that both my friend and I have been waiting for…we had the green light to move forward with the donation. WOW…now it’s real. Got to be honest, I got some butterflies in the tummy. But those butterflies disappeared quickly when I was able to share the good news with my friend. To hear her tears of joy and the relief in her voice, it made this decision okay. From what the donation center told me, it sounds like I will be saying bye bye to my left kidney. They informed me that I am the picture of health. The right kidney has 3 arteries and the left only had one. What does this mean, less cutting to remove the kidney.
The surgery is set for Thursday April 9th. We both have some appointments on the 8th, they do some more blood work, chest x-ray, EKG, etc. one last time.
The biggest concern I have is the girls. I will have a restriction of lifting nothing over 10 pounds for 4-6 weeks…which means the girls. This played a HUGE part in our decision on whether or not we could donate. After speaking to my mom, my dad and Chad’s mom…we were able to arrange their help with the girls. This includes my dad being with me the first week I am home to help care for me and to pick the girls up each day. Chad’s mom will help us out a few weekends during this time. And my mom has offered to pick up the girls each day from daycare and help around the house until my lifting restrictions has been released. I guess you could say that I may be donating a kidney, but my entire family is all donating to my friend. Without their help, we would not be able to move forward.
As soon as I’m feeling better from the surgery, I’ll let you all know via our website. My goal is to return to work after 2 weeks if all goes well. Please keep our family and my friend in your thoughts and prayers.
Just A Bunch of Pictures
Here are some pictures of the girls...
Sydney
Bath time
Just playin
Aren't we just the cutest kids!
Kendall loves to crawl in, but can never get out!
Going For A Kiss
Sydney
Bath time
Just playin
Aren't we just the cutest kids!
Kendall loves to crawl in, but can never get out!
Going For A Kiss
Video of Kendall
Can you tell I was having fun with our camera...Here is a video of Kendall having fun with Daddy. Sydney joins in the fun as well. Turn up the volume!
Sydney Reading
Here is a video of Sydney reading. You will also hear Kendall a bit in the back ground. Turn up the volume!!!
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