During this time, I started school and met my Education professor for the semester, Professor Unema (commonly known as "Jill"). Within a couple days of finding out about my decision, Jill gave me the name of a previous kidney donor who ironically works with "donations" at Calvin (financial donations). Sally donated her kidney to her uncle about 4 or 5 years ago. When she got a hold of my number, she didn't waste any time getting a hold of me. We met within a week and ended up talking for at least and hour or two about out stories, what to expect and what my scare might look like. She was so kind to she me hers. :)
In talking about experiences, she put me in contact with another woman; Nancy is Head of Health Services as Calvin College. Her husband donated his kidney to a good friend about 9 years ago. She also has a solid background in nursing and women's health. Again, we met with only a few days of hearing each others' names.
When I met with Sally, I was encouraged and sort of uplifted; I was reassured that this was all going in the right direction. She helped me feel okay about postponing the surgery until after school was finished. (It wasn't very practical to try to have the surgery and go to school.) When I met with Nancy, I expected to have the same uplifting feelings. However, Nancy challenged me on many different levels. While she was 110% in support of living organ donation, she asked tough questions that made me realize that I wasn't as informed as I thought I was. She asked about where I was going to stay for recovery, what sort of tests were to be done, what long-term effects this would entail for me (childbearing and such, what the credentials of UAMS were like. From that meeting on, she declared herself my medical advocate. Of course, I was more than thrilled to have her help. With her medical background, she wanted to make sure that I was being taken care of in Michigan and Arkansas. Later she used the name "pitbull". Whatever name you want to use, Nancy has been an amazing support as a nurse and as a dear friend.
While Nancy and I were concerning ourselves with logistics and making things run smoothly, Sally and I were developing our own friendship. We talked a lot about what things might feel like and what the experience of being a kidney donor was like. She helped to prepare me for different pains I might feel or how to deal with certain attention I might get. One evening, I went over to her house for take-out Chinese. We talked for about 5 hours straight. I'm not exaggerating. From when she picked me up to when she dropped me off, we were always gabbing about something, kidney-related or not. It was great to have someone who had been throught the experience before. Through this all, yet another friendship has started and grown like a weed...a good weed.
As a little shout-out to Jill, she has been the key to these amazing relationships. Jill herself has also been a wonderful person to get to know through this whole thing, not just in class, but on a personal level too. Out of all of my professors and teachers, she has taken the most interest in my personal life, in the best way possible. She never had to check read this blog every time I post. She never had to be so flexible with class. She never had to send me an envelope of personal notes from my peers. But she did. Jill kept track of what was going on throughout this process and she took a genuine interest in my wellbeing and Kryn's wellbeing as well. For that, I am very thankful.
Oh...Dr. Bentley is on his way in. :) Better go.
In talking about experiences, she put me in contact with another woman; Nancy is Head of Health Services as Calvin College. Her husband donated his kidney to a good friend about 9 years ago. She also has a solid background in nursing and women's health. Again, we met with only a few days of hearing each others' names.
When I met with Sally, I was encouraged and sort of uplifted; I was reassured that this was all going in the right direction. She helped me feel okay about postponing the surgery until after school was finished. (It wasn't very practical to try to have the surgery and go to school.) When I met with Nancy, I expected to have the same uplifting feelings. However, Nancy challenged me on many different levels. While she was 110% in support of living organ donation, she asked tough questions that made me realize that I wasn't as informed as I thought I was. She asked about where I was going to stay for recovery, what sort of tests were to be done, what long-term effects this would entail for me (childbearing and such, what the credentials of UAMS were like. From that meeting on, she declared herself my medical advocate. Of course, I was more than thrilled to have her help. With her medical background, she wanted to make sure that I was being taken care of in Michigan and Arkansas. Later she used the name "pitbull". Whatever name you want to use, Nancy has been an amazing support as a nurse and as a dear friend.
While Nancy and I were concerning ourselves with logistics and making things run smoothly, Sally and I were developing our own friendship. We talked a lot about what things might feel like and what the experience of being a kidney donor was like. She helped to prepare me for different pains I might feel or how to deal with certain attention I might get. One evening, I went over to her house for take-out Chinese. We talked for about 5 hours straight. I'm not exaggerating. From when she picked me up to when she dropped me off, we were always gabbing about something, kidney-related or not. It was great to have someone who had been throught the experience before. Through this all, yet another friendship has started and grown like a weed...a good weed.
As a little shout-out to Jill, she has been the key to these amazing relationships. Jill herself has also been a wonderful person to get to know through this whole thing, not just in class, but on a personal level too. Out of all of my professors and teachers, she has taken the most interest in my personal life, in the best way possible. She never had to check read this blog every time I post. She never had to be so flexible with class. She never had to send me an envelope of personal notes from my peers. But she did. Jill kept track of what was going on throughout this process and she took a genuine interest in my wellbeing and Kryn's wellbeing as well. For that, I am very thankful.
Oh...Dr. Bentley is on his way in. :) Better go.
Thanks for your very kind words, Alissa. From the moment I met you and discovered your deep desire to make this gift, it has been incredible to see God working. I bless God for his leading in your life throughout this entire journey.
ReplyDeleteI continue to pray for both you and for Kryn -- I hope you had a smooth post-op appointment and that you are cleared to head home for Christmas. Blessings to you and your family!