Hello friends!
Can you believe it’s been another year since my preliminary diagnosis of CKD on Dec 8, 2008? I almost didn’t even think about it until I was talking with a friend and they asked the famous question(s)- how did all this get started? How did you know? last week on Thursday, Dec 8. Still is bizarre sharing the details- every time I share it, it’s crazy.

So, since I have blogged last (a couple weeks ago), some interesting things have happened…well of course they have with me! Almost every single friend of mine, cannot wait to see me as I always have interesting updates, whatever it may be. They tease me about living somewhat of a soap opera life..

So, a friend of mine (who I have been able to work for a couple hours a day), decided to order about 50 roses to give to the nurses at KU Med for taking care of “his patients”. Since I’m kind of like his assistant, I had the pleasure of helping with this fun “pay it forward” or as in Evan Almighty, ARKS- Acts of Random Kindness…to see the look on the nurses faces when they got to enjoy receiving a rose “just because”, was as Mastercard commercial says “priceless”. I have to admit, I was excited about doing this, yet was rather apprehensive being there…it was kinda erie actually. We went to the Transplant Dept and delivered the last dozen or so roses to the nurses there- it was funny to see the looks on their faces when they saw the 2 of us together! I reminded them that I was not ready to go through the ordeal again- not for several months at least and to keep me on hold.

So, when I checked my mail later that day (night), I noticed I had received an envelope from the transplant dept and I was praying that they had not taken me off hold status. To my surprise, was another envelope stating this is a note from the family’s donor should you choose to correspond with the family. A massive wave of emotions flew over me….do I want to even read this, especially before bed? I did and boy, was my heart heavy. The mother of my donor wrote the letter describing her daughter. She concluded with a “would love to hear back from you note”. I took a couple of days to process this then decided to write back. Not only will the family be sad of their loss this Christmas, they’ll be even more sad to hear that her kidney did not work out for me. One night, when I wasn’t able to sleep, I decided to start writing. I wrote and wrote describing every detail that took place during the transplant event. Why do I have to relive this again, so soon? I know God’s hand is through this and it will be for His good. Ironically, just a couple of days prior, I picked up a copy of our local young professionals periodical called INK and the front page story was on organ donation. I couldn’t believe it! I immediately turned to the cover story and found a beautiful article a young gal wrote about her mother. Her mom died suddenly of a heart attack and was able to bless 50 families by donating her skin, her corneas, & her marrow. What are the odds that this story came out just a day or so before I would receive a letter from my donor family? What is God telling me? Why now? I have left a voicemail for the editor of INK to see if I’m able to get the young gal’s contact information and personally thank her for this beautiful article bringing awareness to organ donation & if I can get several extra copies of this article. I have yet to hear back from the editor. Figures.

I will most definitely keep you apprised of my communication with the donor family as well as any chance INK decides do to a story on me. I’m going to conclude and write another blog so this one won’t seem so long.

As always, thank you for your continued prayers and encouraging support!