August 11, 2023
It's been awhile since I updated. I received a kidney transplant on Feb 25, 2022. I had a rough first year, but everything is going well now. Unfortunately, I am still paying my out of pocket expenses for the hospital bills, and medication costs have increased since last year. Your continued support is appreciated so I can receive the medications needed to avoid my body rejecting the kidney and going back to square one. God bless each one of you who have supported me thus far.
November 5, 2021
I am officially scheduled for a listing class on December 15th. Following that class I should be able to be listed for a kidney transplant. From there it's just a waiting game for a kidney to become available. Unless of course, I have a living donor. If you or someone you know is willing to donate a kidney for me contact me or the KU Kidney Transplant Clinic in Kansas City.
December 19, 2020
I am coming down to the testing phase of being placed on the kidney transplant list. I have one more test to do, which is scheduled the early part of January 2021. I was also told I need to lose 30 lbs and I am now halfway there. I have faith that I will soon be placed on the transplant list and have a new kidney by the end of the year. As of date, I have accumulated bill is of over 6000 dollars for dialysis only. This amount will continue to go up as I continue treatment and my out of pocket expense each month is more than I can afford to pay. Your continued help is greatly appreciated!
July 11, 2019
Home dialysis has not been going well. I am dehydrated, which makes it harder to access the veins. I am very frustrated with this, but still confident that it will all be worked out in time. This gives me all the more reason for needing a kidney transplant, and the sooner the better.
June 17, 2019
First day of home dialysis @ home was a little bit of a challenge. We had trouble getting the blood flow up to where it should be so.... I have another fistulagram scheduled for Wednesday morning. I sure wish my veins/fistula would cooperate.
June 15, 2019
Home dialysis training is officially done. I will now start doing dialysis at home three times a week. A nurse or technician will come out to the home for 2 weeks to make sure we transition well, but no more driving back and forth to a dialysis center three or four times a week. I will just need to go to the center once a month for lab work and visits with the nephrologist.
May 24, 2019
I'm beginning to think that home dialysis may never become a reality. Monday and Tuesday went great with me accessing the veins, but then today 4 of us wasn't able to access it and once they did the vein infiltrated. Getting very frustrated with this whole thing. Seems like my only choice now is the kidney transplant. I need some fundraisers or donations desperately.
May 1, 2019
Home hemo dialysis is going well, but taking a little longer than expected. I have been experiencing problems with my blood clotting in the fistula and have had to have 2 fistulagrams done since February, and have an appointment scheduled with the surgeon who placed the fistula in my arm. All of this is adding more out of pocket expenses for me. Your help is greatly need and very much appreciated. We have a fundraiser scheduled at Buffalo Wild Wings in Independence, MO on May 6, 2019. Come out and enjoy some wings and drinks and mention my fundraiser for Help Hope Live and a percentage of your order will go toward my kidney transplant fund.
February 28, 2019
I have started training for home dialysis. This is my next step in regaining my freedom from dialysis. With home dialysis I will no longer have to spend time driving to and from a dialysis center three times a week, and then sit in a treatment chair for 3.5 to 4 hours. I will be able to do my dialysis therapy in my home at my own convenience, and for a shorter period of time. My next step is, of course, a kidney transplant, which will eliminate my need for dialysis all together. I am accustomed to traveling with my business, and a kidney transplant will give me the ability to travel again, which is my ultimate goal for life.
June 8, 2018
I am in near completion of all the testing needed for kidney dialysis. At this time, everything is coming back normal, giving me the go ahead for kidney transplant. The only thing stopping me from being placed on a list is the financial aspects attached to kidney transplant. My medications alone will cost approximately $1500 per month until I reach 65, which would be 5 years. In addition, there is the hospital bill which would be approximately $1500, and then follow up visits following the surgery. My focus now is raising the funds that will be needed for kidney transplant, so I can move forward with this.
I am still experiencing occasional problems with dialysis; veins infiltrating, etc. Obtaining a kidney transplant would mean no more dialysis (if I receive a living donor), and more time to spend with my 4 children and 7 grandchildren. Please donate to my cause, or if you can help out with any fundraising efforts please contact me or Help Hope Live. Thank you in advance and God bless each of you reading this.
April 3, 2018
Dialysis is not going well. Have been having trouble accessing the vein for treatment. Now that my catheter is gone, this makes a transplant more of a necessity. Today I could not receive treatment at all because the vein blew. Either dialysis or transplant is necessary for my survival. Please help with donations, or help me in setting up some fundraisers to raise the money needed for transplant. I am not ready to meet my maker just yet.
March 28, 2018
I have now completed the transition from the dialysis catheter to the fistula for my dialysis treatment. I no longer have the dialysis catheter in place. This is a good move for me as I was at greater risk of infection with the catheter.
March 17, 2018
I am currently receiving dialysis three times a week at Flint Hills Dialysis. I have begun the process of receiving a kidney transplant at St. Luke's Transplant Center. My first evaluation appointment is set for May 3, 2018. I am hoping that I can receive a living donor rather than being on the waiting list. If you are interested in becoming a living donor for me please contact the St. Luke's Transplant Center at 816-932-2000.
