2 Year Follow up with UMMC

So I know that our 2 year Kidneyaversery was a while ago, but about a month ago is when I finally had time to go do the lab work.  I took a day off and went down to the University of MD for my last follow up there.  After 2 years you no longer have any follow ups with them and are supposed to monitor your own kidney function with the help of you primary care doctor.  Everyone was super helpful and I was in and out quickly, which gave me plenty of time to go get copies of our marriage certificate (but that isn't important here).

After a few days the coordinator e-mailed me to say that my protein/creatinine levels were elevated and that she would like me to re-do the test because she things the results are wrong.  This immediately made me anxious because what if the test wasn't wrong and I was actually having issues with my solo kidney.  I didn't post here right away about this because I didn't want anyone else worrying about it till I knew what was up.  So I silently worried to myself while googling everything I could.  This is always a bad idea.

As soon as I could I went to labcorp and re-did the test.  Within a few days the coordinator e-mailed me again to say everything was normal!  This was great news and good to know.  So my one kidney is still doing its job!

Dave, also had an apt. recently where the Dr. said he was doing well.  He also mentioned how great it was Dave was on so few medications!   This is because transplant patients are normally on medications to control the disorders that caused their kidneys to fail in the first place, and Dave doesn't have to worry about that because he is healthy!

Well, I think that is all for now.  As always if you want to know anything else about my experience feel free to ask! 

A podcast on a Kidney Love story.

After Dave and I were married a friend sent me a link on facebook to The Modern Love Podcast.   The specific episode she sent me is titled "I see my Superhero" .  It is the story of a girl who needed a kidney transplant and was able to receive one from her boyfriend.  She wrote a short essay about it after she received the transplant and that essay is read and then they talk to the couple for a follow up.

 In the story the girl receives one transplant from her brother that rejects and then another from her boyfriend.  In the follow up you learn that the second kidney, the one from her boyfriend also rejects later on in life.  She was lucky enough to find a third person to donate a kidney to her.

With this all being said the podcast brought a lot of emotions out for me.  I relate to the boyfriend in the story, being ready to donate without ever being asked because the person you love needs you.  But the story talks about rejection and it makes the reality that that could happen to Dave and I so real.  You never know what might trigger a kidney to reject and that is a real fear I have.  It scares me to think about my kidney not lasting forever!  But it was also great to hear the positive attitudes of the couple in the story.  It is this positive out look I try and have for our own situation.  Where as I might be scared that one day Dave will need a new kidney I know that focusing on that is not the way to look at the situation.  Staying positive and keeping on doing everything we are doing, living life to the fullest is the way to combat any fears I or anyone else has in this kind of situation.

So if you are looking for an interesting listen check out this podcast.  Let me know what you think of it.

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2nd Kidneyaversery!

Yesterday was our 2nd Kidneyiversery meaning it has been 2 years since I donated my kidney to Dave!  Wow, time has flown by and it feels like we have done so much in these past 2 years that the days of dialysis are so much farther in the past then they really are.

Both Dave and I are doing well!  At least as far as I can tell.  His most recent blood work looked amazing and I feel fine so I guess that is good.  The only weirdness from the donation that I still have is that the muscles on the left side of my back where the kidney used to be become more sore then the right.  I feel this is something I wouldn't even notice if I wasn't spending most of my free time taking circus classes (aerial silks, lyra, and German wheel).  These classes require a ton of strength in all muscles which is why I think I feel the pain there more then a normal person would.  I'm sure with more working out it will stop too.

Within these last two years Dave and I have done so many things that might not have been possible had Dave not been able to receive my Kidney.  We went on a cruise, were married (only 3 weeks ago!), went to a ton of concerts and events, hung out with tons of friends, went on multiple weekend trips to places like the beach, dragon*con, Hershey, and wherever else we wanted, and got a dog.  Our motto has been "No Rest" because we know first hand that you never know what could happen in life so you might as well do as much as you can while you are able.  We hope to continue doing tons of things and that my kidney keeps working well inside Dave!

2 years down, hopefully many more to go!

Awkward Yeti Joke!

This made me laugh.  That is all for now.  Hope everyone is having a great day!

Almost Married

With only 9 days left till we are married I was thinking on all that has brought Dave and I together.  I feel that one of the things that makes us a strong couple is all that we went through with Dave becoming sick, dialysis, and ultimately the kidney transplant.  I feel being able to share in each others struggles is a good ability to have when one enters into marriage.  I also realized I did not share our adorable Kidney Engagement photos with you guys and I think people interested in donation, kidneys or transplants would enjoy them.  So look below for some of those.

We used a plush heart and kidney as props.

He held the heart, and I held the kidney!

This one was used for the save the dates with the quote:
"She gave him a kidney and now he will give her his heart."
We are adorable, we know.

And some other random photos just because!

Thanks for reading.  If you have any questions about donation feel free to ask.  I feel I have less to talk about now that we are almost 2 years post donation, but I am always open to answering questions or taking requests on things to write about.

Undie Run!

So not super kidney related (except that people will be able to gawk at my awesome kidney tattoo) but Fiance/recipient and I will both be running in the Cupid's Undie Run on February 13th.  This is a mile fun run through the Baltimore, MD inner harbor!  Oh and the catch we will be in our underwear!  We are doing the crazy cold event to help raise money for the Children's tumor foundation and to help find a cure fore neurofirbomatosis(NF).  NF is a rare genetic distorter that causes tumors to grow on the nervous system at an uncontrollable rate.  It can cause deafness, blindness, paralysis,  physical deformities, learning disabilities and chronic pain!. There is no cure for NF!  Which is why we are trying out hardest to raise as much money as we can to help the children's tumor foundation continue studying this disorder.

I donated my kidney because of a different horrible genetic disorder, and now I am running in my underwear to help people with a different genetic disorder!  Because of this I am asking that if you read this blog and are able please consider donating to this amazing cause using my link or my recipients links below!

https://my.cupids.org/AmberWoo

https://my.cupids.org/DavidWilson

P.S. Last year we were batman villain themed with Dave being batman.  This year we are doing Pokemon themed!  So if you are interested in some underwear wearing pokemon donate then you will probably see pics posted here!