Sunday, November 17, 2013

A Victor Not A Victim!


Happy Sunday Kidney Warriors!  This is my "Sunday sermon" for the last day of the National Donor Sabbath and I was inspired by Joel Osteen. His sermon this morning was all about "You can handle it." After an exhaustive search this weekend for a local service I was quite discouraged when I couldn't find one. So when I woke up hearing Joel talking about "handling adversities" I thought "wow that's perfect for the last day of the Sabbath." Living with Chronic Kidney Disease is indeed a battle. Everyday I have to watch every bite of food I put in my mouth, I have to watch every ounce of fluid I drink, and I have to combat fatigue which limits my activities. That's the reason I call kidney patients Kidney Warriors because it's an everyday battle, everyday we are going to war against kidney disease . 

What I was most inspired by was when Joel said "Be a Victor not a Victim." It reminds me that nothing that is thrown at me is too big for me."Sickness can not keep me from my destiny." That's why I have the heart of a lion. That's how I can stay positive even in the face of so many disappointments. We all face challenges throughout our lives and often think "that's not fair" but its important to remember you have the power to keep calm, learn to shake off the disappointments and keep moving forward. He reminded me that I must have a Warrior mentality and stay strong. If you can learn to do this then "your difficulties won't defeat you but promote you." 



As kidney patients we have to remember that everyday is a blessing. Don't spend your time fixed on negative things be thankful for the good things around you. No good has ever come from having a negative attitude. And I think a positive attitude is imperative to living well with Chronic Kidney Disease. "Sometimes in life it feels like we get pushed into situations we never saw coming but instead of licking our wounds instead go for it and move forward." Remember no matter what "You can handle it." 

So as we come to the end of another National Donor Sabbath weekend I want to thank all the donors who unselfishly gave their organs to give the ultimate gift, the gift of life. And I also want to thank all future donors who maybe one day may save my life. With over 98,000 waiting for lifesaving kidney transplants we need more registered donors then ever. Be certain to sign up at Donate Life America and share your decision with your family. Whatever it takes start the conservation! 

.Thank you for joining me on this special weekend for organ donation and transplantation. My goal is by next year to have a local church who participates and will have a Donor Sabbath service. I hope you all will be there to join me. 

Keep on fighting, you Kidney Warriors! 

~Kidney Blogger

Sunday, November 10, 2013

Hope, Faith, Love, Organ Donation!



Happy Sunday Kidney Warriors! This upcoming weekend is the National Donor Sabbath and I want to share what it means to me. The last fifteen years I have lived with Chronic Kidney Disease and it has taken an immense toll on my life. It has taken my ability to hold a job and has nearly taken my life. When I was first diagnosed it came out of nowhere, I had no idea what it meant to live the Chronic Kidney Disease. I had no idea the family events I would have to miss, the birthday parties, the Christmas parties and so many other events. It is a disease that can seclude you if you let it. It is a disease that you learn to pick your battles with. It has also taken away some my favorite activities but I learned, over time, to replace them with new ones. Kidney Disease wants to take over your life and if your not careful it will. 

The best day of my life with CKD was the day my best friend said she wanted to be my kidney donor. Although she had two young children she saw the need I had for a kidney. I remember sitting with her children trying to explain kidney transplant and everything we were about to go through. What amazes me the most was their attitude and their understanding of what was going on. Her young son said to me "Will this save you?" I said "We sure hope so" then he replied "Well then just do it." I remember my friend and I just breaking down and crying. It was so touching to have it put so simple. It was one of the most selfless acts one person could do for another. She will forever be one of the bravest persons I will ever know because she was willing to put her life on the line to save mine. Even though in the end I rejected the kidney I will never forget her actions. This was such a bitter~sweet time for the both of us. Now I find myself back looking for a kidney and maybe I will be blessed with another living donor or maybe not. So I wait.


Today I am waiting with 98,682 others who all need kidneys. All together there are 120,798 in the United States alone who need organ transplants. This is why we have such a dire need for organ donors. Waiting is the hardest part, never knowing if and when the phone will ring. The way I've dealt with waiting is to not think about it. I just deal with the day to day. I do all I can to keep healthy and stick with my dialysis, renal diet. This is why the National Donor Sabbath means so much to me. It is yet another chance to raise awareness to cause that will one day hopefully save my life. My faith has helped me get through so much in dealing with kidney disease. The National Donor Sabbath is a weekend to celebrate, through faith, the need for organ donation and transplant. I hope each of you will take part this weekend. Even if only inspires you to sign up at Donate Life America to be an organ donor! Do it for me, Do it for the 120,798 waiting.

I want to thank you for joining me once again on this journey. I look forward to hearing what the National Donor Sabbath means to you. I also look forward to your comments, questions, or concerns.

Keep on fighting, you Kidney Warriors! 

~Kidney Blogger









Monday, November 4, 2013

All Things Chili!





With Thanksgiving approaching we can't help but think of all the things we are thankful for in our lives. We as kidney patients cannot be more thankful for those who choose to be organ donors. For without organ donors there would be no transplants and there would be no hope. November also marks the National Donor Sabbath. It is observed on Friday to Sunday two weekends before Thanksgiving. And this year it will be November 15th to 17th. The National Donor Sabbath is celebrated by nearly all major religions in the United States. It's a time when faith communities and their leaders come together to discuss the need for organ donation and transplantation.

 Donation and transplant professionals join with faith leaders to counsel their members on the benefits of  lifesaving and enhancing gifts granted to others through organ, tissue, and blood stem donation. Faith leaders, donor families,and transplant recipients participate in services and programs to raise awareness. Using inspiring hymns and sermons to bring a message of hope and giving that organ donation and transplant provide. You can visit http://www.alliancefordonation.org/donor-sabbath for more information on the National Donor Sabbath and to receive materials, sermons ideas and information about organ donation and transplant. 




What could be better than a hot cup of chili on a cold November day? Come join the Northeast Kidney Foundation for their 6th annual Chili Challenge. With over twenty vendors competing for your vote, come enjoy samples from local restaurants like Farmer Boy Diner, On Tap Sports Bar, and Salty's Pub. You help decide who's the best along with celebrities judges: Heather Karen Morrison from YNN, Tim Drawbridge from News 10, Dan Bazile from Newchannel 13, Steve Teeling from Fox 23, Nick Johnston and Greg Aidala from CBS 6. 

Tickets can be purchase in advance at local Price Chopper locations for $15.00 and $20.00 the day of the event. It will be held at the Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites located at 400 Old Loudon Road Latham NY. Event starts at 5:30 p.m on Thursday November 7th. It should be a hot and spicy evening to support this worthy cause.

Since we are just weeks from Thanksgiving each week I will share something I am thankful for in my life. I am thankful for the ability to write this blog in conjunction with Northeast Kidney. It has provided me a voice and the ability to reach others who suffer from CKD. I hope you come back each week of November and share with me what your thankful for! 

Keep on fighting, you Kidney Warriors! 

~Kidney Blogger