Four Years Ago Today

Jody donated a kidney to Gage.

It was the best thing that had  happened to us in a long time. We’d known about ARPKD and his renal failure for 5 years and we spent the 18 months to 2 years watching his kidney function decline steadily. In June 2006 while camping, we got a call from our nephrologist reviewing his labs from the day before and we learned it was time to start discussing transplant. “Let’s get things going before he needs dialysis.”

This is a photo from about a month later…Gage weighed about 38 pounds and was struggling mentally and physically. My sister, a nurse, said he had the “death look.”

A month and a half later we were hearing that Gage would “probably” need dialysis before we’d be able to arrange a transplant. That was quite an understatement. Just days later we were rushing him into see a surgeon for a catheter. Three days later he began dialysis. This is a picture from his first session of 78 sessions.

A crushing blow for us parents not to be able to donate to him, Jody sent me a simple email. “Can you mail me a donor packet?”

Fast forward four months (it’s a long process) and Jody gave Gage a kidney. March 29, 2007. This is what he looked like the first time we saw him in the ICU after surgery.

Four days later Jody’s two good kidneys were reunited! After a lot of pain and discomfort and an extra hospital stay day Jody visited. I think all she could remember from that visit is that Gage really smelled.

Gage showed his scar for a picture. Today, I asked him if he cared if I shared it with everyone in the world he said he didn’t care. I wanted to show it because the scar represents new life, new beginnings. We didn’t know at the time new beginnings would bring challenges we never saw coming. I’m so grateful Gage had kidney function through the worst. I’m not sure we could have handled an additional crisis in the last two years.

Today we celebrate Jody. And Gage. We celebrate the gifts they gave and give to world. It would be impossible for Gage to share his without the benefit of Jody’s kidney donation. Her act of kindness still overwhelms me to this day. My love for her will never end. Gage will not have Jody’s kidney forever, but for today? We’re happy he does and we’re grateful to her for her generous gift we can never really repay. We can only repay it by helping Gage live his best life and that is my solemn promise.

Thank you Jody. You will never know what you mean to us. Happy Kidneyversary. May we celebrate many, many more!

Post Footer automatically generated by Add Post Footer Plugin for wordpress.