3 years!

Its time for the annual update!  Today marks 3 years since I gave Dave my left Kidney and I am happy to report we are both healthy as can be!

I wish I had something more interesting to say but I think that says it all.  Three years later and we are both doing great it can not really get any better then that!

So on another note Last Week Tonight did a Dialysis episode and I think it was really good.  So I am going to link it here and if you feel like it feel free to watch.  Its a DaVita one of the biggest dialysis companies around! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yw_nqzVfxFQ&feature=share

And just for funsies here is an updated picture of us enjoying the vacation we just came back from! Something we would not have been able to do if Dave was still on Dialysis!

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!

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!

Fun Kidney Fact!

From the Donate Life Maryland Facebook today.  If you can't be a living donor this is why it is important to register as a Organ Donor!  

Kidney Love Story

So updates!
1. Six month blood work came back, things look good.  My Creatinine is 1.2 and they expect it to keep going down as time goes on.  Apparently Dave's is around the same, so we have equally functioning kidneys.

2. Dave and I are now engaged.  He asked me to marry him on Christmas and I said yes, have to keep that kidney I gave away close.  HAHA!  We are hoping to get married in May 2016 near the date of our transplant since that date means a lot to us.

 That's all for now so yay for all the good news!

#givingtuesday

It is Giving Tuesday and that means I want to talk to you about the Cupids Undie run.  I know this is not Kidney related and I should really post an update about that soon (blood work in the next week or so to make sure everything is still good, as soon as I have that information I will share.).

The Cupid's Undie run is a run to help end Neurofibromatosis, a disorder that causes tumors to grow in and disrupts cell growth in ones nervous system.  It can be very painful.  The run is done in February in the freezing cold (at least in our location, it was snowing last year), and in ones underwear.  The reason for this is to show that we are willing to do anything to help find a cure including run in freezing temperatures, through a city, in our underwear.

I am raising donations for the Children's Tumor foundation to help find a cure for this painful disorder.  http://my.cupids.org/AmberWoo These donations go to help people like Meg Rowe Baltimores NF Hero!  She has Neurofibromatosis and it has turned into a form of cancer she is fighting.  She did the run last year and I can not wait to run with her this year as well as raise as much money for her and others who are battling with her.  For more on meg check out her page http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/megrowe.

So if you are looking for a place to give some extra money to this holiday season, check out my page and help find a cure for NF.  Feel free to also give to organizations who deal with transplants too, if not The Children's Tumor Foundation

Merry Christmas!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

I am overwhelmed with the number of views this blog received yesterday!  I didn't expect it to be looked at so much from one simple link on facebook.  THANK YOU! It't nice to know people are interested in what I have to say and what I am doing.  Knowing that I have the support of so many people is an awesome feeling.  Having that many likes on facebook and page views here made me feel a little nervous and vulnerable (I was kind of just expecting my normal small group of facebook friends that comment on my stuff to see it) but I am glad that I was received well.  Its nice to know that so many people out there are sending positive thoughts and prayers our way during this journey.  

Thank you guys again and have an awesome Holiday!