Happy Anniversary

1 year!  Wow … already. I am thankful for this divine opportunity given to us.  You never know what anything is for. I didn’t see the events of one year ago coming at the time, nor did I know why they were happening … in retrospect I can see that untold blessings would be poured out from ‘above’.  The biggest blessings are immeasurable: such as the way my heart feels and how my attitude towards life has shaped in this year. What a year! A year later I am so thankful for the opportunity given to me.  I am ever thankful for amazing new friendships, great health and a sense of peace that ALL IS WELL.

I would not want to exclude any of the many who have blessed me but I would like to highlight the  friendship of Mariama and her immediate family, the Bobbetts, whose overwhelming  love, friendship and support leave me in awe… THANK YOU.  The blessings which have resulted from the ‘giving’ make it abundantly clear that the ‘giving’ was the precursor to endless ‘receiving’.  This experience has demonstrated that giving and receiving are so closely and inextricably linked that they are ultimately one and the same.  What you put out you receive back 10 fold.

The life lesson is to be open to every possibility life offers because we can never see at the time how one event may lead to another. Thank you for sharing this journey with me and I send all my love to you all!

Thea

Happy Holidays!

As I prepare for the holiday season I reflect back a year ago. I was weeks away from a life transforming decision to donate a kidney. Just over 1 month ago the now healthy recipient, Mariama left the USA. After 2 years here, in the States, it was time for her to reunite with her family and friends in Niger Africa. I miss her but I am certain our paths will cross again one day. Either back here in the USA or I'll take the journey to Africa. Maybe to celebrate our 1 year anniversary? She tells me on our skype chats that I have a large extended family in Niger waiting to meet me. One thing is for certain, we are bonded together as Sisters for the rest of our lives.

The article written just before Mariama left:
http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20111012%2FGJNEWS_01%2F710129933%2F-1%2FFOSNEWS

What am I doing now? An update on my health. At the suggestion of my gal pal Oneta, I went to see a world famous and amazing Naturopath named Dr. D'Adamo.  He is the originator of the "food for your blood type diet." He is also astounding at iridology which is the study of your eyes, claiming that patterns, colors, and other characteristics of the iris can be examined to determine information about a patient's health. AMAZING! After being in his care for 1 month, I lost weight and all my follow up blood work came back perfect. Perfect creatinine levels (measure kidney function in the 1 kidney). Perfect blood pressure! Perfect cholesterol levels. Everything is spot on!

As I continue to look for work, many have suggested that I write a book. I have been toying with the idea and have decided to give it a shot. I'm not sure how long it will take to complete but I am excited to tap into my creative writing skills.For those of you who have followed this blog, I'm interested in your thoughts and title suggestions. :-)

I like to extend to you all the love and peace for this holiday season and the New Year.

"The symbol of Christmas is a star, a light in the darkness. See it not outside yourself, but shining in the Heaven within and accept it as the sign that the time of Christ has come." A Course In Miracles

Really, really, it's a miracle!

September 2011

Really, really, it's everyones miracle. At first some thought it is a miracle for Mariama. Then I realised it is a miracle for both of us. Why?  Because we have both been enormously blessed by the experience.
Ultimately, I understoond that the miracle is shared by everyone who has shared this experience with us. You, the reader of this blog, friends, family and everyone who has been touched by the story. Mariama and I are just so thankful and grateful for the love, support, kindness and friendship that everyone involved has shared with us. We are forever changed and touched for the better by this miracle. Really really this is a miracle.

This journey started 12 months ago in September 2010. Mariama and I met again at the same venue 12 months later September 2011. We celebrated  the 10th birthday of her nephew Jaden and also the birth of a life long sisterhood bonded by miracles. We're both doing great! 

 

Jaden's Ladder Gala August 2011

Thank you everyone for this miracle!

Has It Really Been 6 Months?

Yes, its been 6 months since I donated my kidney to my beautiful Mariama! Thanks for the reminder. I feel GREAT! So much so that I rarely think about it! Other than Nick beating me in tennis almost always, the rewards are many.  And I don't care if I'm slower (maybe because I'm getting older) or that he's almost 6"4' with a wing span of jetliner and can get to every impossible ball.... I can still use the excuse that I have 1 kidney. I hope he feels good about that! LOL...lol

What else is new? I've been asked to attend a special fundraiser for a woman named Dee. You can read her story here.

Together For Dee on Facebook

I heard about her from my post office gal Patti. Love the girls at the Greenland Post Office. Patti's friend is in need of a kidney. I wish I had more to spare.

I also saw this advert on early one morning...It took me by surprise. A great reminder for what our kidney's do for us!

What You're Kidney Does 4 You!

Have a GREAT SUMMER!

Headed to The LIFT Conference in North Carolina. Me?...Speaking? YEAH!!!!

It's been almost 11 weeks since my kidney donation to Mariama. You know how much I love the number 11. It's funny that 11th weeks post surgery, I have been asked to speak at a conference in North Carolina at the L.I.F.T (Lady's in Fellowship Together) Spring Retreat in Ridgecrest NC. April 1-3.

http://ridgecrestconferencecenter.org/
http://www.liftwomensministry.org/
https://www.facebook.com/pages/LIFT-Womens-Ministry/336366744665?ref=ts&sk=wall#!/pages/LIFT-Womens-Ministry/336366744665?sk=info

What an honor to be asked to speak at the annual L.I.F.T conference on the topic " Excuse Me....These Wings are Made for Flying!"  I'm so grateful to speak on how being a student of "The Course" and by  following the guidance of the Holy Spirit I've been allowd  to be a demonstration of truth and eternal love. There are no better wings than that!

How EXCITING!

♥Happy ♥ Happy ♥ Joy ♥ Joy ♥

WOOOHOOOO! Mariama's creatinine levels are back down to 1! PERFECT! Her breathing is better and she sounds WONDERFUL! Glad to have you back Mariama!

FUN KIDNEY FACT: 100%-50%= 150%

If a person has 2 healthy kidney's each kidney works 50%.
When 1 kidney is removed the remaining kidney increases its function to 75% (or more)
The removed kidney then placed in another body also increases its function to 75% (or more)

75% +75%= 150%
(75%  kidney function from 1 kidney is more than enough to sustain a normal, healthy and happy life).

 ♥WOOOHOOOOO ♥

"Don't Make Me Come Down There!"~ God

I paid Mariama a visit on Thursday. She had a biopsy and an ultrasound to try to pinpoint the focus of her discomfort. I was pleased to hear that she is not rejecting kidney! It's functioning perfectly. I noticed she felt discouraged not knowing the cause of her pain. She is experiencing pain in her chest which causes shallow breathing. She was working on deep breathing exercises to help. Her muscles are tight so I told her I'd bring Nick next time to give her the best massage of her life. LOL

Her eating and drinking are minimal. It's very important for her to stay hydrated and nourish her body. Above all she needs to hang on to the hope that she is getting better everyday and that this too shall pass. Changing your thoughts can change your life!

By the end of our visit I noticed her mood improve. She laughed and smiled more. We watched One Life To Life, General Hospital and The Oprah Show together. Then we went for a walk around the hospital wing. Staying in bed with a little movement can cause more of the same. It is important for her improved health to get up and move.

A Social Worker came in to speak with her about her recovery and how she was feeling and there was talk of her going home soon. I'll speak to her later today for an update and she if she will be going home.

All positive thoughts of love and supported are gratefully received. Thank you!

Cheers~