The anticipation is driving me crazy today.
I am waiting for a call from the transplant center today. The committee met this morning and my donor was reviewed to be approved so transplant can be scheduled. Now, it is waiting to hear. I am keeping the faith that God will open this final door. But, I am being realistic that they could say no for a reason I don't know.
What a journey this has been. I have known since I was 18 that this journey was possible when my Dad had his first transplant. Polycystic Kidney Disease runs in my family. My Grandmother died of it in the 60's. Both my Dad and Aunt have it. My Aunt has had two transplants. My Dad has now had three transplants. His first was rejected after five years. His second was a perfect match and lasted over twenty years. It stopped working Spring of last year, about the time we found out I am in Stage 5 Renal Failure. A coworker even volunteered to donate a kidney. She was turned down in the verbal screening because she has high blood pressure. This is what made Courtney, my daughter, decide to go into a medical profession in the army. She left for basic July 29th.
I went through all the screening to be approved for dialysis, had two surgeries to create the fistula to start dialysis. While all that was happening, I also had screening at the transplant center to be added to the UNOS Transplant list. I was told I am an excellent candidate for transplant and added to the September 23rd.
We also found out that my brother does not have the disease and he volunteered to donate a kidney to me. He went through the screening to be a donor and they found he has two minuscule stones. They did further testing and discovered the stones are the kind that can cause problems later. So, we went through the disappointment of being told, No. That was late September. I scheduled the second fistula surgery around my daughter's graduation from Basic Training.
It was at this time, in early October, I started dialysis. My Dad had already started earlier in the summer. We both had dialysis on Monday, Wednesday, Fridays at "The Spa."
The whole time I have had a Peace that God would provide two kidneys for us. I prayed that God use me to bring others closer to Him and to Christ. I want to be a light and example for others walking this journey. It was about this time I sent an email to several concerned, updating them that my brother was not approved, I ended the email with a joke. I wanted everyone to know that I was okay. That got me five possible donors.
Kari, an aquintence at church, emailed me back explaining that she had been praying for my Dad and I and that she felt God was leading her to donate to me. She terrified and had questions. I got her in touch with the right people. She was the first of the five to turn in the application. So, her screening started while dialysis cleaned me up and got my numbers good. I was flabbergasted and thankful that she willing to have a piece of her body cut out for me.
After a disappointed of missed kidney, thru someone playing God, in December; my Dad got THE CALL in early January. They had a kidney for him from a deceased donor in Oklahoma. The Transplant went well. He went home after five days, on his birthday. He is now about six weeks out and doing well. He is already driving the tractor at the deer, mowing pastures. He said it feels great to feel good again.
We found out two days before Christmas that Kari and I are a match in blood type, tissue type and antibodies. Her kidney function is at 100%. Her screening discovered one minute kidney stone. The surgeon didn't think it would be a problem since there is only one and so small. She did another test to see what stones are made of; not the kind to cause problems.
And that gets us to today; committee review day. Will they say yes or no? I have faith God will open this last door but know He could close it too. Waiting is horrible. I have several bible verses getting me though this time. Psalm 27:14 is a great one; one I keep going back to for comfort.
Until next time......
