As you might already know, my kidneys are failing, and I need a kidney transplant.  As daunting as that sounds, I am not worried.  While it has been a tumultuous time with emotional highs and lows, and lots of anxiety, I am so clearly in the hands of God and I am ready for whatever might come. 

By the Grace of God, I have worked through many obstacles along this road.  The first was my weight.  I was over the acceptable Body Mass Index (BMI) limit for the surgery.  I embarked on a weight loss journey that was successful.  I lost a total of 70 pounds.  That weight loss enabled me to be listed with United Network for Organ Sharing (UNOS).  While it was a milestone accomplishment, the waiting list in California is 10+ years.  I faced a daunting schedule of dialysis as my kidneys worsened.  My kidney related anemia worsened as well, and were it not for a new groundbreaking medication, I was at the point of needing blood transfusions.  I began receiving injections of Procrit.  This is a medication that stimulates the bone marrow to produce more red blood cells.  The shots are every two weeks, but in the beginning the side effects were severe, to the point I could no longer exercise.  This caused me to gain a little weight back, but I am still doing what I can to maintain a healthy weight.

One night, while at a party, I met a wonderful person.  As we talked at the dinner table, my situation was mentioned, and she instantly said she would be a donor.  I was amazed at her selfless gesture.  True to her word, the very next day she began the process of becoming a donor which included a very lengthy psychological evaluation because we had just met.   She ultimately was not a match, but the fact that she would step forward in that manner is a testament to the kind of loving friend she has become.  Her act of kindness allowed me to step out of my anxiety and step into hope. 

It turns out that I didn’t have time for the anxiety to return when I found out that she was not approved to be a donor.  It was shortly thereafter that I learned that my step-children’s mother, my husband’s ex-wife, had stepped forward and was already in the donor evaluation process.  If you saw my earlier article on the subject, you will know how profound this was for our family.   It felt like a gift from God and a picture of how God uses brokenness to make goodness, which is a theme throughout the bible.

But, it wasn’t long until I learned that I have a lot of antibodies.  These are the fighter cells in our bodies that attack when anything foreign is introduced.  Apparently, I will reject 75% of kidneys because my antibodies are so high.  And, my body will put up a pretty good fight against my donor’s kidney.  Because of this, my doctors explored the option of a donor exchange, but found that it would take over a year to find a donor for me because of my high antibodies.  The doctors made the decision to go ahead with the surgery with plans to use medication to manage any rejection attempts.  It meant significant pretreatment including six weeks of Plasmapheresis.  During Plasmapheresis, blood is withdrawn from a vein by a machine which separates the liquid portion (plasma) from the red and white blood cells with the intention of removing antibodies, then the cells are transfused back along with a plasma replacement fluid.  Medications would also be used that would make me feel horrible and possibly decrease my immune system.  I was mentally gearing up for the eventuality that things could get worse before they get better.

Then I got another call.  It turns out that an altruistic donor came forward and requested their kidney go to the best match.  And I am that match!  The transplant surgery will take place as a part of an exchange.  Three recipients have donors who they do not match with.   But, within the exchange, everyone will get a kidney that matches.  God willing, the surgery will be April 9^th and all six surgeries will be done together at one time.

God is the ultimate provider.  It feels like at each stage he is saying, “…wait, watch what else I will do”.  So, I am watching and waiting.  This surgery could be stopped for hundreds of reasons.  But whatever happens, I am in God’s hands, and I am not worried.  II Timothy 1:7 says “…for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”  I am reminded that its not the end destination (whether or not the surgery happens) that is important, but rather the journey that draws me closer to God. I am thankful to be His child and to have this testimony to share. What is God doing in your life to draw you nearer to Him?