After finding out that Hope and I are both matches for Jon, the next process was to make the appointment for the next level of testing. This was decided to be a few days after Christmas. We spent the holiday relaxed, but it was in the back of my mind, knowing that this was pretty much my only chance at being the donor. People thought I was crazy when I refused to drink anything but water, and didn't eat any sweets, but I did this out of precaution, and I'm hoping it will improve my chances.
So on Monday, we packed up, my mom, dad, little brother and I, and we headed for the big NOLA. Getting there was the easy part, but once we arrived, it became an extremely intimidating building. The difficult part that day was using the rest room because of my 24 hour urine test, which I had to pee in so they could check the levels, I suppose. It was not pleasant whatsoever, and I remember being extremely excited when that was over. The first appointment we had on Tuesday was at 7:30 in the morning, and it was a lab. This means that they were taking my blood...again. She stuck me in my left arm, and I felt like she was purposefully trying to make me sick by holding the small tubes that contained my blood in front of our faces, one by one. She wasn't very nice, either.
Next, I was thankful that my next appointments were just to meet with people, such as the donor coordinator and such. The rest of the day included the obgyn, chest X-ray, and a nuclear test, which was basically an ultra sound of my kidneys. They stuck me once more in my left arm, and an iv was put in my hand. That was painful, and it left a bruise.
Total, I had about 8 things that day, and I felt rushed between it all. Wednesday was a bit calmer...for the most part. My first test was the EKG. It took me longer to undress than it did for the actual test. The next three were meeting with my social worker, donor advocate, which I consider my personal lawyer, and the actual surgeon. Talking with those three people were eye openers, but it made me more confident for the surgery. The last test for the entire process was the CT scan of my abdomen. They inserted another needle in my left arm. This was the most unpleasant because when they gave me the iodine through the needle, I felt the cold travel up my arm, and could feel it being rushed into my neck. It gives you the sensation that you need to pee on yourself. I went through this machine that tells you when to breathe and when you need to hold your breath. Then the doctor came back and gave me a little bit more iodine, but this time, I really thought I peed on myself, thank god I didn't. I think I had a reaction because my heart was racing and pumping, and my breathing was becoming struggled. I was finished and got off the table, and I couldn't stop shivering. I sat down feeling numb and of course, had to pee once again.
Having everything done, I know I'm going through with it all to give my brother another chance at life. I'm scared, nervous, anxious, and completely ready. I feel like superwoman or something.
Now, our jobs are to wait and see the results of the test, and pray that I passed through the councilors with a positive note.
Thursday, December 30, 2010
Our Massive Support System
Secretly, my mom and Jon's neighbor, Clelie, had been planning a benefit in Jon's honor. We had donations coming from everywhere: people at work, that I had never seen before, family members, old friends that had moved across the country. It was an amazing feeling doing this for him and his wife. Even places in town gave different prizes to hand out to those that were generous enough to buy tickets, like a Cajun microwave, a golf set, etc.
It was an interesting day with the people and activities. I was stuck face painting for a while, which, the work I did definitely did not even cost a dollar. But it was for a good cause.
The most amazing thing, however, was seeing people like my family, coming together to do this for him. It really opened my eyes to the support system we both have during this entire process. We all came together in the end, to raise at least 10,000 dollars if not more, to help cover the cost of medical bills and to relieve some of the burden that he and Hope faced.
Knowing that this could help him lead a normal life, to be able to pick up and hold his two year old son, Liam again, and to be his 26 year old self, is the most important thing to me, right now.
It was an interesting day with the people and activities. I was stuck face painting for a while, which, the work I did definitely did not even cost a dollar. But it was for a good cause.
The most amazing thing, however, was seeing people like my family, coming together to do this for him. It really opened my eyes to the support system we both have during this entire process. We all came together in the end, to raise at least 10,000 dollars if not more, to help cover the cost of medical bills and to relieve some of the burden that he and Hope faced.
Knowing that this could help him lead a normal life, to be able to pick up and hold his two year old son, Liam again, and to be his 26 year old self, is the most important thing to me, right now.
Needles, Blood, and the Results
Besides calling Oschner's, the hospital in New Orleans, Louisiana, where the operation would take place, the next step was to get blood work done. The reason for the blood work is to test my compatibility with Jonathan, and to see if our blood could cooperate with each other. Jon, Hope (Jon's wife), and I took a small trip to Baton Rouge to the clinic they have. It honestly did not take long to do, but with my fear of blood, needles, and anything else that could possibly make me pass out, it felt more like an hour.
After signing in for the appointment, we took our seat in the waiting room, just to be immediately called to the back. Jon was called first, so Hope and I waited, both freaking each other out, while calming ourselves down. He came out saying they took about 9 viles of blood. That information made me nervous, thinking Seriously? 9? They took that much? What Jon failed to mention, however, was the fact that the nurses told him that Hope and I would be giving much more blood. I walked into the back room they had, just to begin breaking down. I had all the nurses, including Hope, talking me into doing this. I was finally calm enough to sit down, but once the needle was in, the room had already begun to spin. I literally felt the blood draining from my face and my body going cold. Later on, I would hear from doctors that my body does this, and there is nothing I could do about it. Both Hope and I came out of that room unhappily. She was stuck twice because of forgetfulness, and my blood just refused to flow, so it took much longer.
Like I said, it didn't take long, this appointment, but I make things seem more dramatic than they really are. After the visit, I naturally felt weak the rest of the day, but I survived, at least.
After signing in for the appointment, we took our seat in the waiting room, just to be immediately called to the back. Jon was called first, so Hope and I waited, both freaking each other out, while calming ourselves down. He came out saying they took about 9 viles of blood. That information made me nervous, thinking Seriously? 9? They took that much? What Jon failed to mention, however, was the fact that the nurses told him that Hope and I would be giving much more blood. I walked into the back room they had, just to begin breaking down. I had all the nurses, including Hope, talking me into doing this. I was finally calm enough to sit down, but once the needle was in, the room had already begun to spin. I literally felt the blood draining from my face and my body going cold. Later on, I would hear from doctors that my body does this, and there is nothing I could do about it. Both Hope and I came out of that room unhappily. She was stuck twice because of forgetfulness, and my blood just refused to flow, so it took much longer.
Like I said, it didn't take long, this appointment, but I make things seem more dramatic than they really are. After the visit, I naturally felt weak the rest of the day, but I survived, at least.
The Introduction
This past May, we received information about my brother. Over numerous amounts of testing, it was decided that he would need a kidney transplant. I was sitting on the couch as my mother got off the phone. She looked upset and distracted, so I asked what was wrong. She told me the news and without any thought, I said, "I'm going to do it." It never crossed my mind what I would be getting myself into, but all I knew at the time was, this is my brother, and I need to do it for him. Coming from a family of 6 kids and being the only girl, I've grown up in an unusual circumstance compared to most, now a days. Though I was picked on, and at the time, it felt more like harassment, I would no doubt give everything I have to all of them, if it came down to it. It just so happens that this particular one, Jonathan, needed a kidney.
The only drawback when I found out was the fact that I was not yet 18, and according to the law, I must be of age to make this decision. It felt like forever, but on the day of my birthday, I was able to make the call. At the time, the process seemed to go by slowly; two weeks between each testing, each phone call. But now, it seemed to fly by, and so the process of elimination has begun.
I've started this blog to get my feelings out, knowing that Jon and I both have a major support system, but at times, we are both going to be isolated, alone, in the process. I was also told that, because of it being such a life changing experience, I should record any possible feelings and/or thoughts I have during the process, pre and post operation.
The only drawback when I found out was the fact that I was not yet 18, and according to the law, I must be of age to make this decision. It felt like forever, but on the day of my birthday, I was able to make the call. At the time, the process seemed to go by slowly; two weeks between each testing, each phone call. But now, it seemed to fly by, and so the process of elimination has begun.
I've started this blog to get my feelings out, knowing that Jon and I both have a major support system, but at times, we are both going to be isolated, alone, in the process. I was also told that, because of it being such a life changing experience, I should record any possible feelings and/or thoughts I have during the process, pre and post operation.
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