I am in my 4th day of the grieving process for my dear Mama. She passed away on Saturday. I was in the Denver Airport heading to my gate when Frank called my cell phone and said, "She is gone." I was a little numb and stunned when I heard this. There i stood in the middle of a big airport surrounded by strangers and learning I will never get to see, talk or hug my mama again in this lifetime. How surreal.
I really miss her.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
Any mom will do whatever she can to bless her child. . .
Well, the test results are in! Camille's antigens matched only 1 out of 6 to Karina's antigens. The remaining 5 antigens were reacted to by Karina's blood - which means Karina would probably reject Camille's donated kidney. So with Cams out of the picture, my tests became very critically important. Surprisingly, (to all the staff at the lab and Children's Hospital) I matched with 4 out of 6 of Karina's antigens. And when my remaining 2 antigens were tested against Karina's blood - there was a negative reaction - so she most likely would not reject my kidney.
So, now that this is known, it is going to get more serious for me. I need MRI's, ultrasounds, and 24 clearance tests etc. The transplant nurse said I will have the best workup I could ever get in order to find out how healthy I am. They don't want to compromise my health by donating a kidney. So, the present prayer is "Please God let my body be healthy enough so I can share a kidney with Karina!!" If they find something out about me that would risk Karina or me - then we will be back at the drawing board. We will be seeking/praying for a cadavier donor or someone else.
When I told my mom the good news about my antigen match with Karina, she asked me how I felt. I told her, "95% honored and 5% scared". Truly, this is indeed a sacred honor. I have only had surgery two times in my life; minor surgery - wisdom teeth taken out and tonsils removed when I was a little girl. Our five children were all naturally born without medication. So, preparing for surgery etc is a little daunting - but that is okay. The biggest stumbler right now is losing weight. I have been given different potions and pills to help in this. I am not going to take any - what if they react in my body and cause me flunk my next tests?
So, I am on my own trying to eat lots of vegetables and low fat meats and cut back kon my beloved carbs; like bread!!
This is such an adventure - one I never dreamed of going on.
I remember the second day in the hospital after we learned of Karina's kidney's failing her. And the nurse told us we couldn't offer blood to Karina as they wanted us to be preserved to possibly donate a kidney to her. (a transfusion might have built up her antibodies against our blood type etc). I remember turning to Frank and saying out loud, "I gave her life once, perhaps I can do it again." Well, God willing I will be able to in just about 6-8 weeks from now. I really hope I can.
So, now that this is known, it is going to get more serious for me. I need MRI's, ultrasounds, and 24 clearance tests etc. The transplant nurse said I will have the best workup I could ever get in order to find out how healthy I am. They don't want to compromise my health by donating a kidney. So, the present prayer is "Please God let my body be healthy enough so I can share a kidney with Karina!!" If they find something out about me that would risk Karina or me - then we will be back at the drawing board. We will be seeking/praying for a cadavier donor or someone else.
When I told my mom the good news about my antigen match with Karina, she asked me how I felt. I told her, "95% honored and 5% scared". Truly, this is indeed a sacred honor. I have only had surgery two times in my life; minor surgery - wisdom teeth taken out and tonsils removed when I was a little girl. Our five children were all naturally born without medication. So, preparing for surgery etc is a little daunting - but that is okay. The biggest stumbler right now is losing weight. I have been given different potions and pills to help in this. I am not going to take any - what if they react in my body and cause me flunk my next tests?
So, I am on my own trying to eat lots of vegetables and low fat meats and cut back kon my beloved carbs; like bread!!
This is such an adventure - one I never dreamed of going on.
I remember the second day in the hospital after we learned of Karina's kidney's failing her. And the nurse told us we couldn't offer blood to Karina as they wanted us to be preserved to possibly donate a kidney to her. (a transfusion might have built up her antibodies against our blood type etc). I remember turning to Frank and saying out loud, "I gave her life once, perhaps I can do it again." Well, God willing I will be able to in just about 6-8 weeks from now. I really hope I can.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Calling out for more Faith and Prayers
Last week (3/29) we met with the Transplant Staff Camille and I have begun our workups to see if we are healthy enough and can be a match for Karina.
There are many more tests to be taken - not just physical. We are screened for psychological and emotional stability. (And I thought losing weight would be the toughest part for me, haha). Truly, my BMI is a little above the optimal and I am praying and hoping that giving Karina new life can be enough incentive to lose weight. Anyone would say this should be all the incentive one would need. But, really losing weight is difficult anyway for me. I am the gain a little quickly - lose a little slowly body type. So, under the best of circumstances - when stresses aren't so humongous - it is still tough. But, now, woW!
So I guess there are two miracles that we are seeking : one- that Camille or I might be a match (or a type 0 cadavier kidney might come available out there) and two - I might lose the needed weight. We are hoping the middle of this summer Karina might be able to receive a kidney transplant -
Last month, our family had the privilege of riding in a convertible limo in downtown Denver for the St. Patrick's Parade. There were an estimated 200,000 Denverites there. We rode in the "Make A Wish" brigade. Frank and I were both surprised at the great love and support we felt as we made contact with many moms and dads with tears in their eyes as they saw the make a wish limos pass them by. I hadn't expected that kind of "group hug" feeling we received from our fellow Coloradoians that morning.
I am starting to look forward to each new serendipity surprise that is waiting around the next corner on our adventure with Karina.
PS Happy Birthday to the Best Man I know - Frank on March 13th. And Karina turned 15 on March 10. Our royal Pearl Princess only becomes more precious with each birthday.
There are many more tests to be taken - not just physical. We are screened for psychological and emotional stability. (And I thought losing weight would be the toughest part for me, haha). Truly, my BMI is a little above the optimal and I am praying and hoping that giving Karina new life can be enough incentive to lose weight. Anyone would say this should be all the incentive one would need. But, really losing weight is difficult anyway for me. I am the gain a little quickly - lose a little slowly body type. So, under the best of circumstances - when stresses aren't so humongous - it is still tough. But, now, woW!
So I guess there are two miracles that we are seeking : one- that Camille or I might be a match (or a type 0 cadavier kidney might come available out there) and two - I might lose the needed weight. We are hoping the middle of this summer Karina might be able to receive a kidney transplant -
Last month, our family had the privilege of riding in a convertible limo in downtown Denver for the St. Patrick's Parade. There were an estimated 200,000 Denverites there. We rode in the "Make A Wish" brigade. Frank and I were both surprised at the great love and support we felt as we made contact with many moms and dads with tears in their eyes as they saw the make a wish limos pass them by. I hadn't expected that kind of "group hug" feeling we received from our fellow Coloradoians that morning.
I am starting to look forward to each new serendipity surprise that is waiting around the next corner on our adventure with Karina.
PS Happy Birthday to the Best Man I know - Frank on March 13th. And Karina turned 15 on March 10. Our royal Pearl Princess only becomes more precious with each birthday.
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