Here, have my kidney.

Being diagnosed with chronic kidney disease was a real stinger. I was told that I will need to have a double kidney and pancreas transplant. That was a huge shock and nothing could prepare me for it. I knew my kidneys were damaged but I never considered that they were damaged beyond repair and that eventually they would fail completely. I think I am still in shock and not quite prepared for what's ahead. I am trying to get the balance right of educating myself and connecting with others who are experiencing the same but also trying to keep my head focused on the present. I felt like the transplant was going to happen straight away and was just waiting, but after having some time to adjust and find out more from my kidney specialist, I know that although I definitely need the transplant, I need to wait as long as possible before having it. I feel relieved that it might be a few years before I have it, and that I need to stop waiting and start living again. Because I know I will look back and think “you didn't feel that ill then, so why didn't you make the most of it” The thing about this whole transplant business that has totally bowled me over is how many people have asked me if they could donate one of their own kidneys to me. People would actually consider putting their health and let's face it, their own lives at risk......for me!

I've had offers of kidneys from everyone. My friends. My family. My friend's friend.. Even a total stranger. I met a total stranger when I was in hospital last year. She was a young, healthy girl, a mother, a wife, a wonderfully selfless girl who wanted to donate a kidney to me. I couldn't quite believe that she could consider doing something so amazing. When I explained to her how I needed double kidney transplant with pancreas, she decided that if she couldn't help me directly she was going to help others in need, she said that she felt a strong desire to give something back and would donate blood and consider bond marrow transplant. She said she would definitely register on the organ donation register and would encourage her husband to do the same. I couldn't really find the words to express how grateful I was to her and how amazing I thought she was. I hope she is reading this and if she is, from the bottom of my heart, Thank you.