BS: My mother's second birthday, April 9

Subject: BS: My mother's second birthday, April 9
From: Scoville
Date: 10 Apr 06 - 11:30 PM

Well, I don't know who else to share this with and I seem to spend so much time complaining online that I definitely think I need to post something happy for once.

Sunday was my mother's two-year kidney-transplant anniversary.

I know that transplants don't always go that well, and aren't a perfect fix but, man, I can't tell y'all what a huge difference it's made in her. She was so sick she literally couldn't sit up for more than about twenty minutes at a time. If she wanted to go shopping, we would have to go to Wal-Mart (which provides wheelchairs), park as close as possible, and basically drag her in. Then we'd have to shop as fast as we could before she couldn't sit up any longer.

Her donor was a friend of ours from church, who is still very much alive but minus a kidney, so I sort of have a new aunt in the deal, too.

If I end up brain-dead for whatever reason, they can have everything of mine they can take. I don't want to be kept alive as a vegetable and if it makes that big a difference in someone else's life, they're welcome to my parts.

Subject: RE: BS: My mother's second birthday, April 9
From: Leadfingers
Date: 11 Apr 06 - 06:50 AM

What ever people say about tranplants not lasting very long , the mere fact that the recipient has how ever long of relatively NORMAL life HAS to be what matters ! I hope your mothers 'new' kidney keeps going for a HELL of a lot longer ! And I hope you keep in touch with the donor too !

Subject: RE: BS: My mother's second birthday, April 9
From: Scoville
Date: 11 Apr 06 - 10:42 AM

Well, the kidney was live-donor and healthy and Mom's meds finally seem to be working out OK (prednisone is a bitch but they've been able to reduce it). She knows people who have been on "borrowed kidneys" for almost 20 years. But the improvement in her quality of life is worth it no matter how long it lasts or doesn't last. She literally hasn't been this well in 15 years. She would have been dead by now otherwise. It's amazing.

Subject: RE: BS: My mother's second birthday, April 9
From: open mike
Date: 11 Apr 06 - 10:51 AM

if you do choose to be a donor,
make sure to have a signed
document that states so on
your person at all times..
with a witness' signature..
in Calif. it is an option
for your driver's license.

it is no good thinking you
want to unless you can
prove it...and if it needs
to be decided you will most
likely not be able to say so.

Congrats to your mom.

Subject: RE: BS: My mother's second birthday, April 9
From: Ebbie
Date: 11 Apr 06 - 12:10 PM

Scoville, that is wonderful. Thank you for letting us share in it!

My son in law is on his second transplanted kidney. Like your mother he wouldn't be alive today without them, and also like your mother his quality of life is high again. He is very active, runs, has lots of energy.

His first transplant was from a deceased man in Tennessee; his second is from a then-26 year old friend. She is also doing very well.

In his case, the reason his first transplant gave out after 11 years was that his original disease eventually successfully overwhelmed the transplant. He is still only 42.

May your mother and her whole family long enjoy one of the miracles of medicine!

Subject: RE: BS: My mother's second birthday, April 9
From: gnu
Date: 11 Apr 06 - 04:35 PM

"Posting something happy"... yes indeed. Thanks. Thoughts and prayers.

Ebbie.... ditto on the wish. And, thoughts and prayers for your family as well.

Subject: RE: BS: My mother's second birthday, April 9
From: GUEST,Mush Mouse
Date: 11 Apr 06 - 04:55 PM

Happy Birthday Mom!
How about a cake for the donor?

I love stories like this!

Guest Mush Mouse

Subject: RE: BS: My mother's second birthday, April 9
From: Scoville
Date: 11 Apr 06 - 05:02 PM

We sent her a card (she's trying not to eat sugar) and balloons (only the balloons were Mylar and scared the heck out of her corgis, ha ha).

Subject: RE: BS: My mother's second birthday, April 9
From: Bill D
Date: 11 Apr 06 - 05:23 PM

Congratulations to Mom! It's wonderful to hear the success stories.

We have several transplant stories on Mudcat...*smile*...Barry Finn is with us because of his 2nd...and successful liver transplant. And my wife, Ferrara (Rita) in in her 11th year with a new heart.

Folks, if you are even possibly a donor, fill out a card and give someone...maybe several someones...a chance at a better life...or life itself.

Subject: RE: BS: My mother's second birthday, April 9
From: Ebbie
Date: 11 Apr 06 - 06:29 PM

I second Bill's thought. In some states though, just filling out a card is not enough; you need a witnessed signature. Plus I think it's a good idea to let your family know your wishes so there is no quibbling or dithering when the time comes.

Subject: RE: BS: My mother's second birthday, April 9
From: GUEST,G
Date: 12 Apr 06 - 07:25 AM

Thanks, Scoville.

Subject: RE: BS: My mother's second birthday, April 9
From: katlaughing
Date: 12 Apr 06 - 03:56 PM

How wonderful! Thanks for sharing with us!

Not a transplant, but I have a "first" b-day coming up with my new heart valve and am amazed at how much more I am able to in many years!

LOng and healthy life to you, your mom, and all donors and their families.

Subject: RE: BS: My mother's second birthday, April 9
From: SINSULL
Date: 12 Apr 06 - 04:33 PM

Happy Birthday to Mom!

Subject: RE: BS: My mother's second birthday, April 9
From: Scoville
Date: 12 Apr 06 - 11:41 PM

katlaughing--congratulations on a new heart valve. Modern medicine is amazing, isn't it? If we had lived 100 years ago, my father is the only one in my family who would still be alive (mom had polycystic kidney disease, my brother had a major allergic reaction several years ago, and i was born 6 weeks premature--we'd all have been toast).

She's off to yearly meeting for four days tomorrow. Hooray--she can travel again!

Subject: RE: BS: My mother's second birthday, April 9
From: katlaughing
Date: 13 Apr 06 - 12:09 AM

Thank you, Scoville. It is indeed amazing. Our own "Spaw" is a walking example of all kinds of modern medical amazements! 100 years ago, I'd be down to one child instead of three (2 born prematurely) and I would have died having the third. It's pretty nice not to be going through that just yet! *smile*