Archive for the ‘My Story’ Category

Donor Reunion Slideshow

Monday, April 19th, 2010

Donor Reunion at UC Davis March 31, 2010

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Donor Reunion at UC Davis

Wednesday, March 31st, 2010

Today I met my donor, she is a beautiful woman in and out that I will forever be connected to. This amazing reunion had huge press coverage since it was the first donor swap that UC Davis has preformed. All coordinated by Sharon Stencil & the transplant team, big thank you’s to this amazing team. My kidney donor’s name is Sandra, she is a mother of 6 and has called me her 7th since she has also given me the gift of life. Her husband recieved a kidney the day before me and is also a strong individual. He totally motivated me to get up and moving after surgery because he was on his feet doing marathon rounds throughout the transplant ward. Right away I felt a special connection towards Sandra since for the last month I had to learn to truly accept the gift she was giving me. A sacrifice that will definately touch my life forever. I will write more about this special reunion as I am writing the whole transplant experience. Here is the news coverage from the reunion in the mean time.

CBS Channel 13

 

http://www.cbs13.com/video/?id=70489@kovr.dayport.com

KRCA channel 3

http://www.kcra.com/video/23019691/index.html

Enjoy! Thank you everyone to share this experience with me!

 

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1 Month Anniversary – 4 weeks post transplant!

Wednesday, March 24th, 2010

Yesterday was my first month with my new kidney, 4 weeks post transplant! It has been a challenging & busy first month, loss of two beloved family members, weekly labs twice a week, weekly clinic visits, ER trips & I started back @ school last night (wasn’t going to but professor totally working with me!) I am resting a whole lot & just so thankful for the energy that I am already feeling. I know I am still healing & adjusting to everything so I am resting just as much as the activity I am doing. It’s a balance I’ve learned thorough my dialysis days but a little more challenging now that I feel better. I look in the mirror and see the person that I looked like before my kidney failure, very thin and that means I’m looking much younger, now my boys are really not going to want me at their schools. I’m very thankful each week that my labs have improved & all the little things that I wasn’t able to do before transplant and only know it will get better with time! I am thankful for the continued thoughts & prayers, I know my covering & protection to truly receive this gift of life is because of this, so my deepest gratitude! “The love of God is shed abroad in our hearts.”

~Romans 5:5 God is good all the time!

Have a blessed day its beautiful outside!

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First Photo Post 3 1/2 Week Post Transplant

Sunday, March 21st, 2010

Family Photo taken at Auntie Belang’s Funeral Reception. We’ll miss you dearly and are thankful for the memories that will forever be in our hearts! 3 1/2 weeks post kidney transplant.

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My Transplant on SacBee & SF Chronicle!

Wednesday, March 17th, 2010

Oh wow this is my transplant story and had no idea 8 people was involved. This is soo amazing I can’t even express what I’m feeling right now!  Also, SF Chronicle in todays paper~

http://www.sacbee.com/2010/03/16/2609683/four-lives-saved-in-complicated.html

 

www.sacbee.com
When an altruistic stranger arrived at the UC Davis Medical Center with a kidney to give, it set in motion a chain of linked donations that would ultimately save the lives of four Northern California residents over two days.

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Website Updates

Friday, March 12th, 2010

It’s time to continue to share my story. Before I update my blogs I’m going to add some old content that was lost that I had recently found. So bare with me as I am working on completing my story from the beginning to the present day! Also, redesigning the website so you’ll be seeing some changes.

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Transplant Update

Saturday, February 27th, 2010

As you all know my sister had a kidney transplant done this pass Tuesday and thanks to all of your prayers, the surgery went well. Unfortunately her kidney is still sleeping and she had to do dialysis again, which she was not very happy with. The doctor’s were concerned due o her kidney’s not working as of yet that she had to do a biopsy on Wednesday, labs on Thursday, and a scan on her condition yesterday. The recovery process is now more difficult because her kidney won’t wake up. The good news is that all her testing and labs came back with good results. The doctor’s had said it can take up to 4 to 6 weeks for the kidney to start getting used to her body chemistry. The doctor’s concern was only because in most cases when the transplant happens with a live donor, it starts functioning immediately. So the only advice they had given us now is to be patient.
 
I spent the evening with Maribel last night to releave Daniel because he has stayed here all week while my mom took care of the boy’s. She is so amazing to me! She truly is a strong woman of faith and tenacity. I admire my little sister!
 
I will keep you posted with more updates. They are going to keep her here in the hospital throughout the weekend and decide on Monday when they are able to release her.
 
My only requests is for more continued prayers that her kidney’s awaken and start functioning soon. We had a full house in the waiting room and I sat there thinking to myself how blessed we are to have family who truly loves unconditionally.

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Amazing News!

Friday, February 19th, 2010

I got the amazing news on Tuesday. She is such an inspiration! I just wanted to thank all of you for all your prayers and support. It has been almost 5 years since my sister found out she had kidney failure and it has been a very difficult journey but I am just so thankful to God that a miracle has happened…and it is happening fast! I will be with her in Sacramento through this major surgery. Please continue to pray for her and her donor. Their are truly angels out there!

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My Daughter’s Kidney Transplant

Thursday, February 18th, 2010

Hi Everyone,

My family and I are so excited to share with you the “Good News”!! My daughter, Maribel Butts, who has been going through dialysis treatment 10 hours a day and 7 days a week for the last 5 years, just found an anonymous LIVE Donor who will be donating his/her kidney. We just wanted you to knowthat God is really alive in our family´s life and everyone´s life if youjust believe on His perfect timing. My daughter, Maribel, has waited
patiently for this “BIG DAY” that God has reserved for her which is always His perfect timing.

We need your prayers for this “Big Event” of my daughter´s kidney transplant which is scheduled on Tuesday, February 23, 2010. Please pray for her and the “Good Samarit! an” who donated her/his LIVE kidney that there will be no complications whatsoever for both of them and may God´s presence be with them during this major surgery on Tuesday, February 23, 2010.

Thank you in advance and “May God bless you and your loved ones always”!! Your prayers are greatly appreciated.

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The Day Has Finally Come!

Tuesday, February 16th, 2010

I wanted to share some great new! Today I received a phone call from UC Davis that they wanted me to be a part of a 4-way living donor transplant exchange! Basically a good samaritan, volunteered to give their kidney to the exchange. My donor was willing to give a kidney in exchange to help their husband. I was chosen to receive that kidney from the wait list! As we started the year in fasting and prayer the breakthrough is hear and God is answering. The perfect timing, the perfect donor, the perfect match, only God himself can orchestrate such a beautiful miracle! Pray for me as I prepare this week, tomorrow is the pre-opt appointment. The surgery date will take place next Tuesday, February 23rd at UC Davis. I just wanted to share the great news, and will share more when I get more details which gladly I will because this is God’s testimony of His miracle and gift of life!

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