One day, I remember sitting up in bed and thinking, I wonder if I could be a donor? It seemed so far fetched to me. I met this guy on the internet. But, I got up and called my friend and asked him, who would I call to find out if I can be a donor? He was like, are you serious? I said sure, why not, give me a number and I'll see what it takes.
So, I got the number and made the first call to the transplant center where I spoke with the transplant coordinator. She explained to me the entire process, starting with a brief health questionnaire that would determine if I was qualified to even go through the testing process.
From that moment, I started the testing process. Its crazy, so many test, so many little tiny things that could disqualify a person from being a donor. Yet, every test I took, I passed. It started with a blood typing test, of which I was the right blood type, then a UA test to check the protein levels in my urine. After those passed, it was a cross match test where they take my blood and my friend's blood to make sure when put together his wouldn't reject mine. Once all that came back good, I was told I would need to come to the hospital for two days of more extensive testing and to meet with all the doctors and people who would be on this case. It was at this time that I quit smoking.
I took the trip to Georgia in December 2016, right before Christmas. They did a lot of test, EKG, pulmonary function test, cat scan, xrays, blood work, stress test, a kidney function test called Glofil or something like that... needless to say, it was a lot of test and exhausting! And, every test taken could have easily disqualified me from being a donor, but again, I passed them all above and beyond the ranges that were expected.
I got a call about a week after the tests were done and the committee had met and was told that I had been accepted as a donor and we were given our surgery date of March 2nd, 2018. What a great Christmas gift it was for me to call my friend and his mom and tell them, we had a surgery date!
As the date grew closer, I was getting more nervous. Did I really want to go through with this? Was I doing the right thing? I heard a lot of different things from different people, but in the end, it was my decision, and those that were close to me, were supportive of my decision regardless of what I decided to do. About a week before the surgery date, I really searched inside myself to find the answers, answers that had been there all along. I had let my mind take over and cause the stress and worry when I knew all along in my heart, I was doing the right thing. There were so many little factors that could have disqualified me from doing this, yet everything fell in place like a puzzle, and I was the last piece waiting to be put in place. I knew I was doing the right thing, I can't explain it, I don't know how, but my heart told me this was what I needed to do.
February 28th, 2018 we (me and my husband) arrived in Georgia. My husband has been by my side for the duration of all of this. He has been very supportive of my decision, he has told me time and time again that he would be by my side no matter what, and he has. When I looked him in the eye and asked him if he thought I was doing the right thing, he said to me, For you, yes, this is something you would do. And he promised me that even if I backed out, there would be no judgement or anything, he was going to love me regardless of what I chose to do.
March 1st, we went for the pre-surgery appointment. They did more blood work, we met the actual surgeon who would be doing the surgery, the coordinator, my advocate and social worker. Everyone was very supportive, very helpful and caring. The staff was amazing and very quick to answer any questions I might have.
March 2nd, Surgery day. We arrived at Piedmont Hospital at 5:30am to check in. My surgery was scheduled for 7:30am. I honestly do not remember much of this day. I went in, was put to sleep, woke up and then was doped up on pain meds the rest of the day and next day until I was released.
Fast forward - Thursday, March 7th, 2018. I went to my follow up appointment where they checked my blood work again. I was told that my numbers for my kidney function are actually better than a lot of people with 2 working kidneys! They were rather surprised at how well I was doing. Not only me, but my friend who I donated to, his numbers were exceptionally good as well and he is going good with the new kidney! We are both recovering well from the surgery. He has a bit longer to recover than I do, but we both have an amazing support system, lots of prayers and we are both doing great.
I want to thank all of those that have been with me from the beginning of all of this, from the first thought when I mentioned it, all the way up to the the present who continue to support me and my decision, to those that have been by my side through it all you mean the world to me and I thank you. It means the world to me to know I have you as family, and friends who care and do not judge and support my decision no matter what. I love you all. And especially to my husband who has held my hand through it all, my kids who have also been supportive and encouraging even when my spirits were low.
And to my friend, who now gets a second chance at life, I wish him all the best, for a long fulfilling life and hope that he takes advantage of this gift I have given him to live his life to the fullest. All I want is to see him happy and to have a good life from here on out. Enjoy life, not everyone gets a second chance like this, make it count.
I will keep everyone posted and updated on how things are going in the future. Keep up the thoughts and prayers as we both continue through this healing process. It has been a painful adventure but to save a life, one well worth it.
A special thanks to C.J. and Lyric who have been with me during my recovery, keeping me entertained, and just overall spirits raised, to my friend Dee-Ann who has known about this from the moment I mentioned it and has always been supportive, my husband, my kids, my parents, and everyone else who has been a part of this journey. I love you all.
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