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I have great news to share! On September 11, 2012, I received a lifesaving kidney transplant. It was a complete success! My childhood friend, Sandi was the donor and I will be forever grateful to her for her selflessness. Because of her I have a new life. I feel so deeply honored to have the loving support from family and friends who also helped make this happen.
Leading up to the transplant, I found myself a single woman at the age of fifty-two living with end-stage kidney failure. I had been on peritoneal dialysis, ten hours every night plus one exchange during the day. This had become my life for the last two years. I had faced other challenges since starting dialysis; two stomach hernias and, while my stomach healed, complications with temporary catheters in my neck for hemodialysis.
Now I can focus on recovery. Yet, with the celebration, the continued financial burden remains. Although I have insurance it does not cover the astronomical cost of my anti-rejection medication I will be on for the rest of my life. It is a financial burden I can’t face alone.
To help offset these uninsured costs, a fundraising campaign in my honor has been established with HelpHOPELive, a nonprofit organization that has been assisting the transplant community for over 30 years. All contributions are tax deductible, are held in the South-Central Kidney Transplant Fund, and are administered by HelpHOPELive for transplant-related expenses only. Please consider a contribution.
Thank you for your kindness and generosity and for the opportunity to live a normal life.
I am happy to say I just had my 57th birthday April 13th and I am so blessed to not have to hook up to a machine before I go to bed every night like I did for two years before Sandi Hamilton-Spall gave me "Creedy".
Sandi has had some complications but our doctor informs me it was not because she donated her kidney to me.
I went through some emotional days after I found out because I felt guilty,
that was why she kept her health from me.
She says she would not have changed a thing about donating because she knew how sick I was, that is the kind of person my friend is and I love her for that!
I have out lived my Mom and brother and a sister, my Mom and brother both had kidney failure.
I have one sister left and we are very close.
I love life and wake up every day thankful for another chance.
A lot has changed since my last update.
I just hit my fourth year with my kidney and relocated to my hometown in Kentucky to be close to family.
My kidney is functioning well.
However the imunnosurpresent medication I will be on the rest of my life is causing some issues with my eyes and bones.
I was just diagnosed with Ostioarthritis in my hands and elbows.
The imunnosurpresent medication for my kidney and the pain medication for the arthritis is very expensive and l will need asisstance with the cost.
One thing I do not miss is hooking up to a machine every night to pull the poison out of my body.
I am living my life to the fullest
and I am so very great full for my childhood friend Sandi, for her wonderful gift.
No words can express how It feels to feel good most days and not have to be on a machine to keep me a live.
Thanks to all my family and friends for their support and help.
I am going on two years with my new kidney from my childhood friend Sandi Hamilton- Spall.
The kidney is doing great but complications with the rejection medication is causing bone and teeth issues.
Unfortunately this adds to the cost of what I pay for out-of-pocket for my rejection medication.
I am so thankful for the people in my life who have contributed to the Help, Hope, Live site because this still helps with all my out-of-pocket expenses.
I have recently relocated back to my hometown of Owensboro, Ky.
I felt it was time to be near my family.
I miss my extended family in Houston
but I feel as though they are still with me wherever I go.
Date for transplant
The date for the kidney transplant is set for September 11th 2012.
Sandi, my donor will be in Texas on the 4th.
Hey Girl, You are in my thoughts daily. You are strong. You will get past this. You have a lot of folks in your corner. Take care of yourself and keep your head up.
Linda and Cindy/Houston
Hi Frances, cannot wait until the FUNraiser tomorrow night. See you there!!
Richard Smith, Houston
Frances,
I know we have only met once but I will be praying for you on Sept. 11th that your transplant goes smoothly and that your donor does not have any complications. God bless!
Sam M.
I pray that both of you do well and recover quickly!!
Sophia, Patti and Lawrence lindsey
Start your blog and our prayers are with you!
Billy and Branch
I'm so glad you got this started. We are with you 100% of the way. God bless and let us know anything we can do.
I will donate to this when the time comes and you decide what road you will take
Love
Branch Merrell & billy Powell
Make checks payable to:
Help Hope Live
Note in memo:
In honor of Frances V Gilmore
Mail to:
Help Hope Live
2 Radnor Corporate Center
Suite 100
100 Matsonford Road
Radnor, PA 19087
Donor preference is important to us. Please specify in writing if you wish for your name or donation amount to be kept private.
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