This is my first blog so bare with me... I tend to ramble and I'm usually pretty random.... So I hope you will enjoy. I just want to get my story/journey out there.. If this helps one person follow what I am doing then I will be happy:-)
Where to begin?!?! I've always been interested in being an organ donor.. Since 15 I have checked the little box on my drivers license. I have found out that really doesn't guarantee that your wishes will be followed through... There are forms you need to full out, you can get them at DMV or http://search.dmv.org/dmv/oklahoma/information-on-how-to-be-a-donor in the end it is your family who makes the choice unless you are vocal about your choices... When my dad passed we were able to donate his corneas, I know this is something he would have been proud of. I've always wanted to donate my body to science or to medical research.. Something to help make a difference. I donate blood as often as I can, I actually just received a pin for donating a gallon. I'm on the national bone marrow donor list. But i've always wanted to give more... a couple of years ago i was first In line to see if i was able donate a kidney for my dear friends baby, he lost his hard battle at 7 months old..
Which brings me to where I am today: in June 2012 I was looking on Craigslist and stumbled upon an ad... It was a single 38 y/o mom needing a kidney. I called the number and started the journey. I received my paperwork July 5th read all the information, filled out all the paperwork, and returned it to Susan the kidney transplant donor coordinator. Sept. 19th my baby (Chelbi)turned 16 and I started my first lab work to start the process of being a living donor. Since then the intended recipient had a friend that wanted to try and donate for her. At that point I decided I still want to go forward in being a living donor. I will be able to create a domino effect, which really appeals to me:-) ... So here I am second part of the process today.. I did a 24 hour urine specimen yesterday, that wasn't to challenging. Arrived at the hospital still fasting, went to the lab did another urine sample and maybe 10 vials of blood for varies test.. Next I talk with the living donor advocate, social worker, transplant coordinator.. Followed by EKG, chest X-ray and ultrasound. Till now I have kept the majority of this to myself, only telling a few close friends and my family members(I had already started the process before telling them) for the most part all are filled with: are you sure? What if? Well if that's what you want to do! They all know I will make my own decisions and I know they will be right there for me:-) see all this rambling.. Lol.. I am definitely not a writer,except my apologies on this:-)
My goal for this blog is to open the eyes of many to know what it's like for the donor. And if it helps save just one life by someone following in my footsteps, It will be worth it.
I will be adding pictures(as soon as I figure out how) and doing my best to keep this up to date:-)
I hope you have enjoyed and feel free to add comments. Thank you and God Bless!
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| The Ad that pushed me to stop putting it off! |
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