Answer to Prayers

        In October, 2013 I was told that I was going to need a kidney transplant and that it was VERY IMPORTANT to find a donor.  Dr. Falk explained that finding a donor before needing the transplant would ensure not needing long term dialysis.  (In 1988 I was placed on dialysis after experiencing renal failure and  even though it was beneficial in regaining my health, I have not been able to erase the experience from my memory).  I began asking friends and family to pray about my health as well as finding a donor.  Every time I would go for an appointment with Dr. Falk, would ask me about the status of finding a donor.  I literally felt as if he was "in my face" about this. As a matter of fact, one day when I was feeling discouraged about finding a donor and it also happened to be a day my transplant nurse called me. I shared with her about the pressure from Dr. Falk about finding a donor.  She told me that he cares tremendously for his patients and did not want for me to go on dialysis.  I tried to put everything back in perspective and prayed daily that everything would work out in a timely manner.  

       On May 18 of last year, Valerie approached me about being a living donor and  immediately contacted UNC.  Due to other potential donors going through the process, Valerie was told that she was on the list and would be contacted if the others were not a match.  While others were being tested, she was an encouragement for me the entire time.  Well, October 29 Valerie was contacted about being tested and has been going through the process for the past three and a half months. When she called me this morning to tell me she had been approved, I felt as though I was living in a dream.  I was hearing words I had been waiting to hear for many, many months!   Hope to soon know when the surgery will occur. We are in the process of setting up a date.  

   Valerie is the answer to our prayers.  As I write this blog, I can not even put into words the gratitude I have for the selfless gift she is willing to give me.  I have cried a lot this evening being overwhelmed with joy about how blessed I am that God placed Valerie in my life.  I can not think of anyone any finer than Valerie to share this journey and be forever connected. 

    Thanks so everyone for your prayers, love, encouragement and support as Valerie has joined me on this journey. For the past few months I have prayed, "Not Myra's desire, but God's Will for my life." I honestly believe once I began to pray this prayer, God truly began to answer our prayers.  

        

Shock and Surprise Leads to a Thrilling Appointment

       Thanks to so many of you who have supported me with prayers, concerns and well wishes.  It means so much to know that I have the support of some of the greatest individuals. I am thrilled to share the news about the best nephrology appointment for me ever (and I have been going since the summer of 1988).  

         As I have shared before, I go to the lab Monday's prior to the Thursday clinic appointments with Dr. Falk.  I have been following this routine for many, many years.  Since last spring, UNC has employed an online chart in which appointments, lab results, bills, etc. are posted for patients to review.  This morning when I checked email, I had an email from my online chart.  Lab results from Monday were posted and reported my kidney function as 17%.  The number was a decrease from 20% in December, but I did not give it a lot of thought because it was not near the 10% I had been told last winter that I would need in order to have a  transplant.  

      I received some of the most exciting, unexpected news yesterday while seeing Dr. Falk at a clinic appointment.  Wish I could see a video or picture of my face when he told me ... I am ready to have the transplant.  As he was speaking with me, it was as if I was not really processing the words he was saying, because I was not expecting this news.  I am certain he thought I had lost my mind, because I kept asking him questions to clarify what he was telling me. I was told due to symptoms I am experiencing which include extreme fatigue, constant metal taste in mouth, lack of appetite, memory loss as well as some others, he says that it is best to proceed with a transplant.  I left the appointment on an emotional high.  

        My last blog post was about my friend, Valerie going through testing to determine if she is healthy enough to donate a kidney for me.  She has been told that the transplant team will present her case Monday, February 16 to determine if she will be approved as a donor.  Valerie's commitment and desire for my improved health continues to leave me in awe each day.  We have been friends for several years, but the bond we have developed over the past couple of months is immeasurable.  Please continue to pray that she will be approved and therefore we can proceed with the transplant.

          Appointments/tests have been scheduled for all day February 26 including an appointment with the transplant surgeon and March 11 to clear me from any other health issues and diseases.  Presently as it appears, once I have been cleared I will see the kidney transplant doctor and determine when the transplant will occur.

            There are no words to describe how I feel to know that I get to rediscover myself and feel better again.  I CAN NOT WAIT and know that GOD IS FAITHFUL!

         

One Healthy Donor + One Grateful Recipient + One Concerned, Proud Mother + 11 Appointments = 2 Memorable Days at UNC Hospitals

2 Memorable Days at UNC Hospitals: For the past two days, my potential donor Valerie, her mother Wanda and I have been at UNC Hospitals as Valerie was evaluated to determine if she would be healthy kidney donor for me.  For me, it has been two of the most memorable, touching days in my life.  

One Healthy Donor: Let me begin by saying that Valerie is incredible.  She has been so calm and appeared un-alarmed as each doctor went over the risks that go along with having a transplant.  Even though statistically the risks are low, she will be having elective surgery and there are risks anytime someone has surgery. She asked relevant questions but never once said she was worried about ANYTHING.  As the doctors described how she would have less kidney function after surgery, she readily listened and never demonstrated doubt about wanting to donate. I have been so impressed with how calm and at "peace" she appears about the process.  

One Concerned, Proud Mother: Valerie's mother, Wanda went with us as well. Valerie is her only child, and she is concerned as hopefully any mother would be about their child donating a kidney (especially to someone who is not a family member).  It was great getting to know Wanda and develop a friendship with her as well. She was given the opportunity to asks the doctors questions and discuss any concerns she had as well. I am glad she went and that she feels a lot better about the process since listening to the doctors and spending time with me. She did a phenomenal job with raising Valerie to be such a wonderful daughter, wife, mother and friend.

11 Appointments:  Valerie had 11 appointments in two days!  We literally walked all over UNC, from appointments at the Cancer Hospital, Women's Hospital , Main Hospital and ACC Clinic. Where ever there was an open machine is where she had an appointment.  Thankfully, she has only one more appointment in two weeks. Valerie has been poked with needles (large and small), countless vials of blood drawn, scans and x-rays galore, completed numerous checklist, answered countless personal questions  and went with lack of food or coffee until mid day. Her only complaint was from lack of coffee.  I was absolutely amazed. At this point it appears that she is very healthy, but all tests results will be reviewed in early February and we should know results by the time I see Dr. Falk on February 12.  

One Grateful Recipient:  I can not honestly do justice and put in words how grateful I am to Valerie for what she has done for me thus far and plans to do as far as being a donor.  She called me a "cry baby" because I cried when she left the room and after the surgeon had finished talking with us.  This process is truly overwhelming and Valerie is the answer to my prayers for a future healthy life. Looking forward to what the future hold and hope to report in the next month she is an approved donor.