To Where we are today

I never thought I would learn so much about kidneys... they are amazing little things really. Most of us are born with two kidneys... their function is to clean our blood. My friend Lee, was born with a disease called IGA nephropathy. At 29 years old, he is a husband to Tara and father of a 14 month old named Karen. His disease has progressed rapidly over the last year, and his kidney function is really low (a dangerous 7%). He got on the national transplant list as soon as he was allowed... at the bottom of 77,000 other people. Bottom line, he won't make it to the top of that list. Like many others, there are many more people in need than cadaver kidneys available. It is clear... he had to find a living donor.

When I met Lee 8 months ago, and learned about his need for a kidney transplant, I offered my help... I offered my spare. It is really amazing that it turned out we were a compatible blood type and a perfect match. I have made it through a rigorous set of medical exams to make sure that I am perfectly healthy (I am), and have even acquired my own Nephrologist (kidney specialist).

Today, the board of surgeons at the transplant center gave me their final stamp of approval to be Lee's kidney donor, and a surgery date was scheduled. The surgery will happen at the University of Minnesota Medical center on December 16Th. The U. of MN does more kidney transplants than any other hospital each year. I will be in the hospital for 2-4 days, recover in a hotel near the hospital for 4 more days, and hopefully return to Maui before Christmas. Geoff and I will be arriving in Minnesota together after our vacation. He will be with me, supporting me, and caring for me... like he always is here on Maui! Hopefully, I won't be too grumpy the first couple of days. I am so happy and feel so fortunate that he can be there, by my side.

I expect life with one kidney to be the same as life with two. Yep, I can run as many miles as I want with just one kidney. One kidney does 96% of your function, and the kidney that is left will grow up to 50% larger to compensate for the loss... pretty neat stuff! No problem if I want to have children... giving a kidney won't impare getting pregnant or carrying a child to full term (thanks Vern). I will have a 3 inch scar low on my abdomen. I will come home one pound lighter (that is how much each kidney weighs). I will no longer be able to take Ibuprofen or eat grapefruit... don't do much of either anyway.

I expect that any one close enough to me to be reading this will remember that I'm not very religious. That said, my belief in God is unwavering, as is my belief in destiny. I feel strongly that we are all here to help one another, and though this is a very big thing... the decision to help Lee and his family is easy. I could only hope, that if I ever find myself in this kind of need, someone would help me. We are all on this journey together.

I have appreciated all of your support up to this point in this process. I have a wonderful family and amazing friends. Feel free to get updates when you want them, or post a comment (something funny would be nice). Geoff will be updating this regularly. This will be a great way to inform everyone of my progress before, during and after the surgery.

Love to all!

Erica