With the new year comes the reset button we all push on December 31. Maybe we only need to make a few changes, maybe we view this as an opportunity to make sweeping changes, and maybe we just continue wishing for a kidney.
For me, it's the latter, although there are some other little changes I need to make in 2013. One of those little changes is to resume regular writing on this blog. I don't know that there was reason for not writing. It certainly wasn't for lack of things to write about!
Anyone who has, or is, going through dialysis knows that each day at the clinic is interesting. In addition to the daily dose of dialysis, I got great news about my CLL. It is in remission, gone, cleared out, however you want to describe it. It felt great to get that pronouncement, especially since six years ago I was sure the CLL diagnosis meant an early end to my plans.
Good as being in remission felt, I couldn't celebrate the news, knowing that I would be headed back to dialysis the next day. That's a flaw of mine that needs improving in 2013. Being cancer-free is a tremendous feeling! I'm grateful for Dr. Tarantolo and the awesome nurses at the Midwest Cancer Center.
So, for the most part things are going well. Jeannie continues to make me feel like the luckiest guy in the world, and despite the grind of dialysis, she keeps a positive attitude about finding a donor.
On the donor front, there is a candidate who has gone through the first set of blood tests to determine if we are a potential match. Based on the first set of tests, we know we match five of eight markers. That's a good start.
The wheels fell of our wagon a bit once my donor shared their decision to get tested further with family members. The reception was less than positive and supportive. I understand their concern. Giving a kidney to someone that is not family is probably hard for people to get their head around. It's a tremendous act of kindness, but good feelings aside, it is still something that is hard for people to understand and accept.
Just the same, we remain confident that wagon wheels will return to roll us through to a transplant in 2013.
Armed with the optimism that a kidney is just around the corner, I'm excited about all the great things that will come our way in 2013! I hope everyone gets what they want in the new year too.
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