Thank You......

Not sure who from the Nephrology Dept at Iowa sent me these beautiful flowers but it totally made my day! I love them and am so thankful! Thankful to be a part of the Soliris panel and thankful to be able to call the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics, my transplant center! Thank you so much!

What's Next?

Today I stayed home from work because I have caught a stomach bug. I am sure it will be gone soon, might just take me a little longer to kick it than the average person. I got very dizzy at work Tuesday and began vomiting. I then took my BP and it was on the high side. So I came home early that day, took my BP med early with a phenergran and went to bed. I stayed there until I had to get Mad ready for school, dropped her off and returned to bed.

Anyway, why laying there today I kept thinking of the conference and the kids and their families. I feel like there is so much more to be done. In the past, I was really sick myself so I didn't have a lot of extra "brain time" to take in a lot of the Foundations website. But now I feel better and am ready to help in any way I can. In my professional life I work with children and I feel like God is calling me to take my skills and help the children with aHUS. I am not sure how or what I can do from Arkansas but I know God has a plan. So I am praying about that, leading me in the right direction. It may be as simple as being a mentor to these younger children or their families. Not sure what God has in mind yet but I am listening with an open heart. I feel like I got off easy compared to all of the sweet Hyde's out there. I just feel compelled to do something, anything to help these families and the future adults who will have to deal with aHUS. If anyone out there ever has questions or you just want to vent just call me. I’m not a professional in the field of nephrology but I am a professional in the first hand experience of aHUS. If I had not had Alyssa to listen to me during the bad times and my family and friends here at home, I wouldn't be where I am today. My email is jillnziegler@yahoo.com I'll give you my cell # and we will get through this together. But in the meantime, God will lead me down the right path to help others. God Bless you all!!!!

The Wonderful World of Iowa

Call me crazy, but Iowa City is magical to me the way the Emerald City must have been to Dorothy. I absolutely love this place. Of course, I am sure it has a little something to do with the fact that my fabulous team of doctors changed and saved my life there. I love going back for my follow up appointments. This past weekend was extra special. I had so many wonderful things happen in a 48 hour period.

To start the weekend off, I had my 3 month follow up post transplant with my favorite doctor ever, Dr. Thomas. Now not to offend any of my other fantastic doctors, I had some great pre transplant doctors and of course without the talents and miraculous hands of Dr. Alan Reed, I wouldn't even have this beautiful kidney. I honestly believe with the strange things that happened that day of transplant in the OR, had I not had Dr. Reed as my surgeon, I do not believe the transplant would have gone as well. Just my opinion....and I realize I am a bit biased. But back to Dr. Thomas. Just being in the mere presence of this man makes me feel safe and that my kidney is being well taken care of. I think having a doctor that can make you feel comfortable, safe and that you (the patient) can 100% trust, is one of the most important factors in this whole process. Not to mention, he is a complete genius and I am so blessed to be able to call him my nephrologist!



Second, this weekend was most special because I got to meet my soul sister who held my hand (long distance) and together we walked through the fire of ahus together. I finally, after 3 years, met Alyssa. She is so beautiful, brave, kind hearted and was my strength through the very dark days of ahus. I watched her in her sickest days, I watched her go on PD and watched in October of 2010, as she got her new kidney. She was my inspiration throughout the long and tumultuous road of ahus and this weekend we got to meet and celebrate our miracles of healing and our new lives together. I don't know how I would have made it all those years without her! I love you Lys!!!!



And last, this weekend came to a sweet end for the Ziegler family as we got to attend the conference held at the University of Iowa for the Foundation of Children with aHUS. I met so many wonderful people that I have talked to and has helped me get to this point in my life today. I also got to meet people from the company, Alexion who are the pharmaceutical masterminds, which invented my miracle drug Soliris. The conference was full of knowledge and empowerment for patients and their families suffering from this disease. Meeting everyone felt like a family reunion....and really it was. Nobody understands what aHUS is like, quite like the people at this conference. It was a true blessing to be there and also speak at the conference.

Two Blogs in One Day?

Okay so I can't sleep. I have weaned myself off of every single med except anything transplant related. So, some nights I sleep and others I don't....but this is not me complaining. In fact, I have nothing to complain about. I am up with millions of questions running through my head. I have been on this transplant HIGH for 3 months now and everyday it sinks in a little more that I am like normal people again. I'm not sick, I don't have to carry a puke basin everywhere I go, I can stay up past 8 o’clock, my life is not dependent on a machine, my blood pressure is normal, labs are normal, I can eat anything....and boy have I! I have gained 22 pounds since transplant. I hope my transplant team will blame it on the steroids like I am:) Life is so awesome. The steroids do give me this invincible feeling at times, like I can do or say anything. My filter from my brain to my mouth is a bit jeopardized at times, but I am becoming more aware of it and controlling it better.

But in all of this glory and blessing I have been given, I also feel guilty. It's weird. Why me? I was told from day one on hemodialysis, I would never get a kidney transplant. Now I never believed that doc but I have friends still on dialysis. I have friends with cancer. I know people who are hungry, homeless or mentally ill. It's very hard to wrap your brain around the idea of, “I got a second chance, why not them?” It's almost the same feeling as when I was sick, "why did I have to get sick?" I have no answer for this but it makes me want to fight for the rest who haven't gotten their second shot.

I truly believe this....especially for myself: You can't truly enjoy life and understand the fragility and miracle of it, until you are almost without one.

I know I see things I never saw before. Feel things I never felt before. Actually try to take in every moment because in a nanosecond it can be gone. I almost died twice. And thankfully I have no memory of either time. I didn't see the light or anything like that. But when you are "back" in a state of consciousness where you can understand how close you just came to death, it really changes you. And after being given the gift of life via an organ transplant.....there are no words to describe that feeling either.

I just hope all of those on my mind get to experience this someday, hopefully soon. I believe if you have steady and strong faith, He will get you there. He has his own timeline. We def have no control in the matter. But He knows when the timing is right.

A Win for aHUS patients

I apologize to anyone who is following this blog. I have not been faithful in my postings, but I guess that is what happens when life gets back to normal. Between working, all of my child’s afterschool activities and just daily life chores.....it is hard to find time to blog. I do however, have wonderful and great news to share. The drug I am on called Soliris has been FDA approved for the treatment of atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome in children and adults! This is such a huge milestone in the world of medicine and pharmaceuticals. Although I have been blessed to have access to the drug since my transplant in June, I must admit it was a daunting feeling knowing that the government really didn't "approve" of me using this drug. But now it is official!!!! And what I think is even more awesome, is that future Jill's, Alyssa's, Linda's and Hyde's may be able to altogether avoid kidney failure. Who knows what would have happened in January of 2009 when I presented to St. Louis with this disease. I remember them talking about trying to get the Soliris for me then and try to slow the kidney failure, hemolysis, dropping platelets and everything else that was going wrong inside of me, but the drug wasn't FDA approved for my blood disease. I don't dwell on the "what ifs." I think my life turned out the way it was suppose to and I think kidney failure was a chapter in my life for many reasons. I am glad I was a tiny part in the beginning stages of getting this drug approved. And I am (more than words can express) thankful to Alexion, Iowa, the Biermanns and so many others who actually made this happen. Many of you, actually probably all of you, will never know what I am talking about and never have to experience this (thankfully)! But there is a "one in a million person" out there who will. And now their road to recovery will be shorter, less bumpy and possibly avoidable altogether! Praise God from whom ALL blessings flow!

Well, ER....so we meet again!

Friday night, August 26, I had myself a little visit to the local ER. Before I alarm everyone, I am perfectly fine. But Friday night I wasn't so sure. I was vomiting, diarrhea, massive headache, stiff neck and low grade fever. All of these are signs of my migraines but also signs of meningitis. So, I took a migraine pill as I was instructed by Iowa. When my migraine pill failed to work, I went in panic mode. One of my post kidney transplant meds put me at high risk for meningitis. So, if I even think I might have it, I have to go to the hospital. This is the LAST place I wanted to go because if I didn’t already have meningitis, then I was probably going to catch something else in the ER. The ER was very quiet that night and they got me straight back to a private room. They did labs, urinalysis, observation and CT scan. Everything looked good in my favor and the ER doctor saw no reason to do a spinal tap.....thank you Jesus! So, I had a little scare but everything is fine. But I will continue to be on the lookout for any signs of Meningitis because that is something I do not want to mess around with!

Oh and before I forget, thank you to my HH nurse for taking me to the ER and staying with me until my mom arrived. I am so thankful for you and you went above and beyond the call of duty Friday night!!! xoxo

Life Changes

The last two weeks have been a roller coaster of changes with our family. First, my baby started Kindergarten. She loves it but I really miss the Pre K days when it wasn't real school yet. It's sad not being able to walk her in the building in the morning. Everything is so official now. But she has a great teacher, is learning a lot and making friends, so I really can't complain. I also stepped back into my role as an Occupational Therapist (part time of course). I love it though and am amazed at how much energy I have during the day with my patients and especially the amount of energy I have after work. It is great to see my kiddos, their sweet parents and my coworkers. I have a fabulous work environment!

On a sad note, I lost my sweet Gracie Mae on August 25. She passed away at 5am that morning. She had been to the Vet earlier in the week and been diagnosed with pneumonia. We were on several meds to help make her better and her prognosis was good. The veterinarian taking care of her said she probably had an aneurysm because of all of the pressure caused by the fluid in her lungs. He said this wasn't a very common occurrence. Which, after thinking about it, she is MY dog and she and I were a pair....rare you might say. I take comfort in the fact that I was there with her, holding her and singing her Gracie song I made up 10 years ago when she was a puppy. She had been through a lot with me. College, OT school, car accident, marriage (she wasn't wild about him because he kicked her out of the bed), baby, more dogs and a cat, and my kidney failure. She was by my side when I was first sick and fighting to stay alive. I remember Chris putting her in bed with me when I was near death. She was always right under my bed once I started dialysis at home. She really wasn't supposed to be there but she was a part of me and would growl if anyone tried to remove her from the room. She protected me. And in the end, I tried to do the same for her. 10 years of my life with her and very sweet memories. That's 1/3 of my life! She is truly one of the dearest, sweetest and most loyal friends I have ever had. And I will miss her greatly. We laid her to rest beside her best dog friend, Gabbie Lou and planted a dogwood tree in her spot. So, she will continue to be in our backyard, keeping a watch on everything. Until I see you again someday, Good bye Gracie Mae, I love you!

Lots going on.....

I haven't been faithful in updating my blog lately. I guess it's because I am too busy doing normal mommy/wife things. I clean our house, play with Madeline and actually cook dinner at night for my two! I can run errands without getting exhausted and even went on a shopping trip with my mom last week. She said about half way through shopping, "the old Jill is for sure back" I asked her what she meant? She said, "You've been dragging me in every store just like you use to when you were in high school and college!" And SHE was the one who was tired! I was just getting warmed up. It feels really good to be able to participate in my most favorite hobby, shopping.

But to shop you need $$$. Well, I get to go back to work next week!!!! I am only working Tuesday and Wednesday but it feels so awesome to get back into one of the main roles that define who I am. I get to be the one helping others, the one wearing the scrubs!

Last week, my mom treated Madeline and I to a Girls Beach Trip! It was fun. Madeline loves the beach and had been once right before I got sick. She has begged to go the last few years. SO mom and I packed up and took that baby to the beach! She had a great time. We all did. But if you ask Mad her favorite part, she will tell you, the swimming pool! Kids!!!!!!

I am looking for to Friday. I get to go to Lindsey's church and film our story and testimony to be shared with others. I hope it touches someone and gives them the strength and faith to keep fighting and hang in there. Whatever battles they are facing, God will come through for them. You just gotta believe.

And, my baby girl starts Kindergarten!!! Where did the time go? I had promised her all along, mommy would have a kidney before starting kindergarten. So I can be a more involved mom at school this year.

Everything is so normal and I love it! Couldn’t be happier!!!!!

Caught on Camera

While I do not think I am qualified to give anyone advice, unless it is in the areas of pediatric fine motor skills development or dialysis/kidney issues, I do have one little piece of advice that I think many people can benefit from.

Before I got sick, I literally scrap booked nearly every single day of Mad's life for the first two and a half years. Everything is well documented! Once I became ill, this hobby quickly took a back seat and I hated that. Now anyone who knows me, knows I never leave home without my camera. Too many cute moments can happen in the most mundane places. And since she is and will be our one and only, I have been determined to catch every little developmental milestone. SO once I was sick I just couldn't keep up the scrapping.

Today, I sat down to organize my pics by years and then burn them to a CD as back up. Pictures are everything to me. While organizing my computer I came across countless little hidden treasures I had forgotten about. I have about 50 videos from the time Mad was 2-5 and they are the most precious gifts I have ever given myself, forgot about, and then rediscovered them with a whole new appreciation. They brought back so many memories I thought were lost in the sea of dialysis meds over the years. Taking those videos and having them to watch back are priceless to me. I can see one and remember that was one month before my kidneys shut down, or I felt really sick while filming this video, but now you would never know it.....you never see me on camera. Just my little angel! And watching her at age two sing Johnny Cash's Ring of Fire really stirs up the baby fever. But no worries.....not gonna risk all that I have been blessed with. No more pregnancies here.

It's so amazing to me to watch her grow and change though out the videos. When I look into those eyes of her at 2 and 3 years old, I am filled with the emotions the day the resident doctor came into my hospital room in STL and told me I had about a 20% chance to live. Before I kicked him out of my room and instructed him to never step foot in my room again, I told him I would be getting better because I had a 2 year old at home who wasn't going to be raised by anyone but me. Later down the road a nephrologist told me a kidney transplant would never be successful with someone with my blood disorder. I am one of six successful transplants I know of to date.....all successes with the same blood disorder!!!! I fired that doctor too!

So my little piece of advice, if you don’t already have a camera or some device to take videos, get one and start. Without the hidden treasures I found today, I would have never remembered half of these videos. And during most of them I was sick so I wasn’t enjoying them at the time. But seeing them today I thanked God for giving me the strength to video that precious child of mine so I could sit back in my new healthy body and laugh, cry and enjoy the little things I missed out on. So whether you are sick or healthy, mommy or daddy, have one or five kids......we are all busy and have daily interruptions that take us away from the ones that matter the most. Just a few short 30 second to one minute video every now and then....and in 5 years you will be amazed at how much your child has grown and changed and will be so pleased with yourself for capturing that moment in time. Today was a real treat for me. I finally got to see glimpses of Mad over the past three years without the cloud of dialysis hovering above me. And I got to see my baby, really see her! And you know, despite all the health issues I was facing, she looks like a happy, typical and well adjusted kid in those videos.....which will help me sleep easier at night!

My New Residence

Someone asked me today if I was still on cloud nine? And I said, Cloud Nine is my New Permanent Residence. I don't ever plan on leaving this new place in life...that is until I go to Heaven! But life is truly extraordinary the second time around. I guess I didn't know how to enjoy or appreciate life before. My cloud nine residence takes a lot of work to maintain though. Although I won't go into the specifics, being a transplant patient with a very rare blood disease and one of 3-4 adults who have ever successfully have a transplant with this disease, means I'm am diving into uncharted waters. I am boldly going where few have gone before. My aHUS friends have been fortunate enough to have had their transplant in their hometown or very close by. The 8 hour distance between my transplant team and me throws extra excitement and difficulty into the mix. I know I am helping pave the way for future aHUS patients. So as long as I know I am doing it to help others and save my kidney, I will do whatever it takes to keep this kidney up and running. Logistically there is so much involved. And there are a lot of people involved. My entire Iowa transplant team led by Dr. Thomas, Erin my post transplant coordinator, Dr. Step in Memphis, PCP here in town, Home Health nurses, Pharmacists, Soliris people, Medco, insurance people from many different areas and this is just the tip of the iceberg. But I knew this was going to be a job. But it is definitely a job worth doing and doing it perfectly!!!

My Flakey Potassium and Phosphorus Levels

I am very interested in hearing how my fellow transplant recipient friends have dealt with this issue!

A little back story first. So if you remember during my kidney failure/dialysis days, phosphorus and potassium were two of the mineral things I could not eat. High phosphorus levels can cause a buildup in your joints, appendages and other body parts (men, your most sacred part) and cause them to basically rot and fall off! No joke! My aunt, the dialysis nurse, has had two men actually lose their most treasured part! Of course, phosphorus can be just as damaging to women. But people really seem to take the message more seriously when I share the stories of men. So, I was very diligent and faithful to my renal diet! I ate as little phosphorus as possible, which was difficult because phosphorus is in EVERYTHING!!! So, I also took 12-15 phosphorus binders daily to help reduce my phosphorus levels. I was pretty much an all star when it came to my dialysis labs! Then there is potassium. Too high or too low levels of potassium can cause detrimental effects. One of which is a heart attack. I always kept my potassium in check by avoiding high potassium foods such as bananas, orange juice and potato products. Don't get me wrong, the renal diet was tough, but not following it would have had greater consequences.

And just for anyone who reads this and starts worrying about their potassium or phosphorus levels, if you have healthy functioning kidneys, do not fret. Your beautiful kidneys are regulating these levels for you. So men readers don't worry!

Now that I am post transplant, I can eat anything! I knew initially, my potassium and phosphorus levels would be low because I went into transplant with low-normal numbers and once the new kidney kicked in, it would lower both levels. I felt like with my new freedom and relaxed diet, I would increase these numbers to normal ranges naturally with my new diet. In 5 weeks I have yet to get my levels up to a normal range. They are abnormally low. So, Dr. Step in Memphis has now prescribed me potassium and phosphorus supplements. I just think this is funny and amazing how good my new kidney is working. I struggled for nearly three years to keep these two minerals in a low-normal range. And now my body works so efficiently, I have to take supplements to bring them up from too low to a normal range.

Every day I am amazed by the power of this new kidney. Which all healthy functioning kidneys do this and we never think about it. But now that I have had a history with kidney failure and now a future with a functioning kidney, it is mind boggling to sit back and marvel at its work and wonder. If I didn't believe in God and all of His power and glory, I would think this new kidney was magical!!!!! But then again, God is magical! I am aware that I received a super awesome, healthy kidney from a perfect specimen of a human being....so that probably has something to do with how wonderful my new kidney is!

So in a few days of being on two more pills, my levels will be normal again! No worries here!

Michael's New Kidney

A friend from high school received a kidney transplant from a living donor, his friend Andy, on July 19th. It was a successful transplant and just another example of God's glory and good work. He has the sweetest family and new baby boy who was born on my transplant birthday, June 23! Please continue to keep Michael and his family and his gracious donor, Andy and his family, as they both continue to recovery. Both guys are at home and recovering well. Congrats Michael!!!! You are an inspiration for many!!!!!

My Sweet Friend

I would like everyone to take a second and read about my friend Arielle. She is a very sweet girl I probably would have never met, if I had not gone into renal failure. We are from different towns and she is younger than me. She is only 28 years old. She has been on dialysis for almost 3 years. It will be 3 years in November. So, she went into End Stage Renal Disease at age 25!!! I recently got to see her and she asked me how I felt. I told her that I feel better than I ever have, in my entire life. She said "wow, I wonder what it would feel like to not be sick." Arielle's battle with kidney disease has a longer and harder history. The reason I would like you to read about her is because she has been doing dialysis for TOO LONG!!! And just like the blessing and healing I received in June, I know that God has a plan for her healing. Arielle is 0+. I just wanted you to meet her because I am going to do anything I can possibly do to help her get a kidney. She deserves to know what it feels like to "feel good."

Saturday July 23, 2011- One Month Out!!!!

Today was officially the day, the one month anniversary and one month past my second birthday. This has been one of the most amazing months in my life. The best month in three years! God had a plan and it unfolded just as it was suppose to. It's so interesting to me the way mine and Lindsey relationship has grown and changed. I believe it was the year 1999 or 2000 when my friend, Brandy Pratt Tinsley told me she was leaving the quaint flower shop Petal Pushers and that I should go in there and apply for her job. Little did I know I would meet a girl that many years later would change and save my life! Thank you Brandy, for helping me get that job!!!! So, obviously I got the job and got to know Lindsey Anderson.....later to be Lindsey Rouse. We drove around in the delivery van delivering flowers and making floral designs. Okay, I wasn't very good at the design part but Lindsey was. We had many fun times working together. She attempted to teach me to drive a stick shift one day....and that proved to be a mistake! But we had lots of laughs and good times together. I worked there for about a year and then I left for college. Lindsey went to college in another town and got married. I didn't see or talk to her for many years. That's what happens sometimes, we lose contact with friends. But thank God for facebook. Through facebook, Lindsey and I reconnected and began chatting from time to time. Then one day, kidney failure entered the picture. Lindsey was following my story via facebook and my blog. She saw the ups and downs and dialysis and my struggle to get a transplant. One day, after it became aware to everyone that my sweet brother, Matt could not be my donor, I received a message from Lindsey. She was willing to get tested. And, well you know how that turned out! I am so blessed and thankful to God for the way he worked through so many people all those years ago. I would have never imagined kidney failure would be part of my story but I always new deep down it would eventually be part of my history. And thanks to Lindsey Rouse it is history. From June 23 to July 23 I have enjoyed life and been more aware of life in a way I never have before in my 31 years. It truly is like a new birthday and a great new beginning. And now someone who was a friend is now a sister. The blessings have been astounding. I am forever grateful to Lindsey and I know that God is going to bless her life in so many ways. I love her so much!!! Thank you Lindsey!

Med Box Stress

I have dealt with numerous pills for nearly three years now. So you would think it would be a very non stressful event. But there is a BIG difference in my dialysis meds and my transplant meds. For one, I take twice as many now. Which that’s not the problem. They all look similar and change in doses frequently. As a disclaimer, I would like to add I am not complaining, in fact, it is a blessing to be at the stage that I am taking anti rejection meds. I think because my life truly depends on these meds now it totally stresses me out every week when I sit down to fill up the pill box. I currently take 17 pills in the morning and 9 pills at night. They are all really important and I am so afraid I will screw one of them up, and very quickly that could lead to very serious and dangerous consequences. I don't work as well under pressure. Chris, fortunately, has every medication memorized by both names, mg, and frequency during the day. Problem is, he likes to "supervise" me as I fill up the pill box and makes me more nervous. In all honesty, I wish he would just do it for me. Not because I am lazy, but I trust him more than I myself. He says he doesn't because he loves me and wants me to know what’s going in my body. And with time, I'll have them all memorized. It's just overwhelming right now. Next week, I go to the pharmacy here at home for my first refill since Iowa. And I am pretty sure that Iowa gave me the Non-generic drugs and I will be getting the generic drugs now. Which will look different and have different names. But hey, if this is the biggest problem I have, life must be good! I really can't complain. Lots of people have asked me about my medication regimen so after filling the pill box up tonight for the upcoming week; I thought I would share my current experiences with my meds. Luckily, I don't seem to be having any negative side effects from any of the drugs. Only one of my anti rejection meds makes me itch really bad if I go outside and get hot...but I am an indoor, AC kinda girl anyway....so that's not really an issue. This time next month I will probably have them all memorized. I actually prefer to NOT use the pill box and just open each pill bottle I need daily as needed. But with the number of meds I am on right now, it's probably wise to use the pill box. I keep telling myself, Jill, you have a Masters Degree; you can do this and not mess it up. I think just because my life depends on it adds a totally new layer of stress to the situation! Pray for me and my pills!!! xoxo

Updates From the Past Week

It has been a very busy time in my life here lately. Of course, I am doing lots of things I haven't gotten to do in years!!!! Taking Madeline to eat ice cream, teaching her to hoola hoop and just normal mommy and wife activities. These simple things are so precious and priceless now.

I met with my new "local" nephrologist in Memphis on Wednesday, Dr.Stepniakowski. I will refer to him as Dr. Step from here on out. I loved this man. He was very knowledgeable in kidney transplant patients and was very honest about his limitations with my aHUS. I totally can respect a doctor for their honestly and full disclosure. Iowa, Dr. Thomas, is still calling the shots, monitoring my aHUS levels and will be my main nephrologists, but we needed someone local who could physically lay eyes on me in case something unforeseen comes up. I think the working relationship with Dr. Thomas and Dr. Step will definitely be a positive experience.

I have been receiving Home Health for two weeks now and I love my nurses. We .are using Home Health Professionals and they are top notch! I highly recommend them if you are in the Blytheville or Jonesboro areas. My nurses, Bridgette and Beth are awesome. They are taking such good care of me. Beth administered my first home Soliris infusion this week and everything with the administering of the drug went smooth. No side effects or reactions were noted.

Getting my Soliris to me, well that is a different story. A very long and complicated story. Let's just say it's a good thing I advocate for myself and am on top of things. I won't go into the stressful day I had with the Specialty pharmacy, trying to get the Soliris to me. I pray since it was the first delivery, all of the kinks are worked out and I pray next time things go more smoothly. I am cautiously optimistic and I know God has His hands in all aspects of my life and he will see that I get my drug. So, everything is going to be okay. I am blessed to have this drug. It keeps this kidney happy and healthy!

I had an awesome and quite rare opportunity this week as well. My friend, Michael, who I graduated from high school with, got a kidney transplant Tuesday!! I got to go visit him Wednesday in the Methodist Hospital in Memphis. Of course, I had to donn a mask and gloves for precautionary reasons....all the germs in the hospital. But it was such a good visit with him and his sweet family. He is doing great and making lots of urine!!!! He is very tough and actually got to go home today. That, my friends, is how a "typical" kidney transplant goes. In on Tuesday and home by Friday. I'm cool with being atypical. As Lady Gaga says, baby I was born this way!!!!

My labs have dropped from three times a week to only two times a week. So that is awesome news. My creatinine is at 0.9. When I was admitted to the hospital on the day of transplant, it was 15!!!! So all of the lab work is looking beautiful.

Also, while in Memphis Wednesday, I was able to turn in my dialysis machine to the dialysis clinic! I loved getting rid of that. Also on Thursday, the dialysis supply company came to my house and removed all of the left over home dialysis supplies. I loved watching the delivery man load up all of those boxes and take them away....approx 25-30 10 pound boxes! I even have a new, empty room in my house that I get to redesign!!!! Life is so exciting!

So, I am living life, enjoying it and seeing some things for the first time. The best part is I have been cleaning my house like crazy this week.....something I left up to Chris and my mom for nearly 3 years. And it feels really good to be doing normal household chores....never thought those words would come out of my mouth! I also am doing so much more with Madeline and she is soaking every bit of the attention up. It is so exciting to see how happy she is. We all are so happy and so blessed.

Welcome to a New Life

It's OVER!!!!! Nearly 3 years of kidney failure and dialysis and plasmapheresis all came to an abrupt end on June 23, 2011. Thanks to God's grace and work I was blessed with a healthy new kidney. That beautiful organ came from my friend and now sister, Lindsey. She is my hero, my angel here on earth. I have another blog www.kidneysnotincluded.blogspot.com and you can go there and read my story of kidney failure and the process of getting a kidney transplant. I felt like it was time to move on from the "not included" blog and celebrate the new life and gift I have been given in a new blog, appropriately titled "now included". I am so happy to share my story of healing, faith and recovery with all of you. I hope you enjoy reading this blog and celebrating life with me! xoxo