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~

Biopsy

I spoke with Mariama about an hour ago. She was feeling quite groggy when I called to check in. She told me that she had just gotten out of a "biopsy." My brain started to scramble. " I had a biopsy on the kidney." She told me and was feeling "high" from the morphine and wasn't completely clear. It took me by surprise. Imagine my surprise. I felt bad and a little guilty. Is the kidney that I donated, poisoning her?

I read online its not uncommon that a kidney recipient can experience complications. This includes symptoms of rejection.  A drastic rise in creatinine is one of the symptoms that Dr.'s look for. In simplest terms levels of creatinine are determined by how well your kidney filters blood. After the transplant my kidney went from .85 to 1. Which is normal. Mariama's went from 4 down to 1. Which is fantastic! However it slowly increased to about 4. Generally, any high level of creatinine that persists or increases warrants a biopsy. The rise could be a sign of possible rejection. Another way to look at it is Mariama's body is adjusting to a "foreign" organ in her body. It's only been 5 weeks and it can take upto a year or more for her body to fully accept the kidney. Mariama is taking and will continue to take anti-rejection drugs for the rest of her life.

I remind myself that Mariama is in the perfect place to work through her symptons and she is well taken care of. It's not much fun being in a hospital bed but considering the magnanimous undertaking of a kidney transplant I thank God that she is getting the care that she needs and deserves.

We all appreciate your positive thoughts and prayers for Mariama's full recovery!

Love to All

Getting back to normal....a new normal!

Has it really been 5 weeks? Yes, it's been 5 weeks post surgery and I'm 80% back to myself.  I'm working though a bit of fatigue and I'm moving a little slower (not sure if its from surgery or age..lol) but I'll be 100% in no time. It's amazing how your body recovers from organ removal surgery. Nothing less than MIRACULOUS!

Mariama is still in the hospital after being re~admitted for dyhydration. I spoke with my sweetheart Mariama yesterday for Valentine's Day. She has had some other issues outside the kidney transplant. At the moment the Dr.'s are trying to diagnose a tightening in her chest. So she has been going through several lung examinations. She is in the right place and we look forward to her complete healing!

It's been quiet a journey. It's pretty quiet around the house. The 4 Freeman's (Nick's kids) have left. (I could write another blog about that experience). I've decided to re~enter the job market and that in itself is a full time job. Wish me luck ;-)

The past few months have been an tremendous experience. A wild ride. Thanks for sharing this time with me. I will continue to post updates on Mariama's progress.

Cheers!