So Let Me Try This Again ....

 I know that is is hard for me to just sit down and write, even if I know that it is something that will make me feel "better."  I keep trying to get a re-start on this blog and .. I keep failing.  I think that there is a lot going on for me right now -- the semester rapidly coming to an end, the kidney donation process becoming very real and almost upon me, and just life in general.

So let me take another go at this.  I mentioned before that last August (2021), I started the process of testing to see if I would be able to donate a kidney to my best friend.  There were a ton of tests before I could even get tissue matched (including a 24 hour urine collection which sounds just like what it is!).  Eventually, I was able to pass a bunch of tests and in late March 2022, Jim and I travelled to Seattle for something called an "Evaluation Day."  This is a full day of appointments to meet with an entire team of doctors to verify the health of my kidneys and of me in general.  In fact, just before I came, I was sent this list of appointments.  

That's a lot of doctors, right?  Most of the tests were pretty easy on my end though the 23 vials of bloodwork was a little daunting (I have never given that much blood at one time!).  I had to see the Hepatologist which was an addition to this day that others might not have to do because of some high numbers I was showing on some prior tests but we discovered that my body just normally has higher numbers and I am 100% normal.

The last appointment was with Dr. Kuhr who is Tanya's surgeon (and I think mine?).  He offered me this amazing 3D image of my own kidneys that was taken during this evaluation day (this is just a still):

Pretty damn cool, eh?  That is Ethel on the right (my left) and she is the one being donated to Tanya.  I am keeping Lucy who is on my right (but left in the picture above).

I ended up passing the Evaluation Day and we found out about a week later that Tanya and I were a perfect match.  What were the fucking chances?!  I mean, yikes!  I am still in shock that this is going to happen and I am both delighted and scared shitless.

So .., perhaps this blog can be a way for me to document what this journey is going to be like!

New Blog Direction: Kidney Donation

 So ... here it is a month later and I still haven't updated this blog!  But I had a thought -- since I just finished up a huge obstacle in terms of possibly donating a kidney, how about I focus on that as well as the teaching and researching that I would like to write about?!

My bestie, Tanya, has had Diabetes since she was young (I think 7?) but in the last dozen years or so, her body has been giving her a hell of a time.  Last summer she started talking about having to go on dialysis soon and she mentioned the long waiting list there is for a kidney donation.  Since I had cancer about 11-12 years ago, I was pretty sure that I wouldn't be able to step up and help but .... it turns out that you can donate if your breast cancer has been in remission for at least ten years (I think some forms of cancer keep you out of the donation pool no matter how many years you have been in remission).

So in early August 2021, I started the process.  I didn't understand at the time how long this would take.  Obviously, there were some screening calls early on (in terms of my health history) and then tests after tests after tests (including a 24 hour urine collection that was an interesting experience to say the least!).  At the time I was doing these tests, I was also getting an MRI done on my bum right knee so there ended up being mass confusion about insurance and who was getting the results (For the kidney process, I am working with Virginia Mason Hospital in Seattle since (1) that is near where my bestie lives and (2) it is the transplant center she is working with).  

Long story short:  I went to an in person evaluation day in Seattle last week (March 30) and found out on Monday afternoon (April 4) that I have been approved to donate.  Now we just wait for the tissue matching with those results coming in next week.  I really, really, really hope that Tanya and I are a match.