06/13/2026
LONG AND PERSONAL POST:
14 years ago I woke up in UMMC awaiting to see if they were going to use the kidney and pancreas I was called for. I had been there before and sent home as they couldn’t use the organs for whatever reason. The night before I had to get a wheel chair to take me to the floor because I was close to 30 lbs over weight from water and my legs just couldn't do it, I could barely breathe. I was kept alive by two things I carried attached to me every where an insulin pump and a 12" catheter from my stomach I would attach every night to a dialysis machine. I was restricted on salt, sugar, fluids, phosphorus, potassium just to name a few. My life revolved around blood sugar, blood pressure, fluid intake/output, monthly lads, iron treatments, shots for hemoglobin, risk of infection and the list goes on. I worked full time and tried my hardest not to let people know I was sick, however at home there were tons or tears involved. I was never scared until the very moment they were wheeling me into the ER and I had to say "good bye" to my husband. My surgery lasted close to 9 hours. The first night I spent in ICU with a breathing tube, tied to the bed so I didn’t rip it out. I couldn't ask questions yet so I really wasn't sure how everything had went. The next day I did everything they told me, I sat up I took a step even as difficult as it was. from there I worked hard at getting stronger and left the hospital a week from the surgery. I had to cut all my clothes to not hit my massive amount of staples ( I really had no idea how many there would be). At first there was pills everytime I turned around a alarm was going off to take another I was alittle nervous about that. At one point my husband had me make a pros and cons list......the pros were so much longer that the cons so I just put my new fears aside and moved forward. My husband and my mom rarely left my side. He never let me out of sight in hospital or hotel for a few days. My mom selfishly left her life in Florida for 5 weeks to help.
I’m 2021 my kidney began to fail. I spent a total of 2 weeks in Tampa trying to save it. It eventually slowed down to the point I needed dialysis again. I went 13 of the past 14 years free of the following....insulin, dialysis, restrictions, high BP or high sugar ,iron treatments, hemoglobin problems and so on. For a long time all I carried with me is my scars, a medic alert bracelet and most days a smile (I’m still human and have bad days) I could drink as much as I want and most days don't get enough water. My ankles were never swollen! I wore dresses and skirts again. I walked and went to the gym . I was given a new life! with that said I was only given a new life bc someone else made the choice to donate their organs. If you took the time to read this please do me the favor and take the time to send a healing prayer to a grieving family who is I am sure missing their mother, sister, wife, friend. To all of them I am truly grateful.
The last 2 years have been a little different. My kidney slowly failed, I had 11 surgeries all revolved around dialysis access, a heart stent and many days in tears yet I am still so grateful. Even though I am now on PD dialysis again at home every night, again monitoring potassium, phosphorus, fluid intake, monthly labs, blood pressure, injections and iron infusions I am able to live a relatively normal life.
I am still immune suppressed to protect my transplanted pancreas that is still working beautifully plus it keeps my antibodies low for my next transplant. Anyone who is close to me knows how hard I work to stay healthy!
I am currently/actively listed for a kidney transplant at Tampa General here in Florida. Ironically today marks 3 years being in the list. I pray I somehow find a living donor (my odds of longevity are much better) but until then I go to bed every night praying my call comes (which is a strange feeling in itself as that means someone else is now missing their loved one)
If anyone is interested in finding more out about becoming a living donor please reach out and I will send you information.
Thank you everyone who has supprted me here in this page, I appreciate you all!
Please everyone send some virtual hugs to my donors family. I’ll never forget that as I celebrate another year of life they still grieve the loss of their loved one. I’m so thankful for them and honored to be part of her legacy.
Have a great day friends and thank you for reading this whole post!
