4 years ago I was lying in this hospital bed after giving my kidney to my now friend-like-a-sister, Jody. By the next, I was resting at home. We’d gotten the approval just 8 days prior so everything happened really fast but it was over with and I was home for my daughter’s birthday on the 16th.
This experience was a pivotal moment in my life. It started me on a new spiritual journey unlike anything I’d experienced before, opened my mind and heart to new opportunities and beliefs, and set the stage for my re-branding as Heart-Centered Copy. I am truly grateful for all of that and that I was able to help her in this way.
This is the first year we haven’t been able to meet up (thanks to Covid-19) but it’s still a day to celebrate. It’s also bittersweet that my best friend was with me on the day of the surgery and has celebrated every anniversary with me before this one. Last year he made me a kidneyversary cake! But, we had a falling out and are not in touch, so I’m also missing that this year.
But I will forever love and appreciate him for being there for me on this day, and my mom for coming all the way up to Jersey to stay with my kids while I went into NYC for the surgery. And I am eternally grateful for the new bond I have with Jody. She will most certainly be a lifelong friend and like family to me and I’m happy we share this, even if we can’t celebrate in person this year.
Will you help us celebrate today, while practicing social distancing, of course?
Facts about kidney disease: Every 10 minutes, another person is added to the national transplant waiting list — and 82% of patients waiting are in need of a kidney. 3-5 years is the average wait time for a kidney from a deceased donor.
If you have questions about being a living kidney donor, please feel free to reach out to me at any time. I’m happy to share my experience! (I even wrote a book about it.)
Until next time,
That is an amazing gift you’ve given. Bravo!
~Operation Awesome team