Vote for your Kidney Idol
Four finalists were chosen from all of the entries and posted below. The winner of the cruise will be the finalist who receives the most votes from DaVita.com visitors. You help choose the winner by voting for your favorite!
Read the stories and vote below:
The voting period is closed as of Monday, December 10 (11:59:00 PM PST).
My Kidney Idol
I am priviledged to have this opportunity to express my gratitude and appreciation about my "Kidney Idol." My mother came to my aid during a critical and trying time in my life. I was diagnosed with Lupus(1995), which eventually lead me into renal failure in 1999. I was so ill and unable to take care of myself or my two young sons. She took care of my daily needs and became my caregiver. She did not hesitate to leave her job for three years to take care of me during this unpredictable time. I remember the chemotherapy treatments left me weak. Mom would would get me through the side affects. I would come through a crisis and she would be there rubbing my forehead. Her soft touch brought me so much comfort and hope. She would read bible versus or sing a favorite hymn. My mother's humble voice would allow me to peacefully fall asleep as she would slip out of the hospital room. I knew that it would be alright. Many times I would look into her eyes and she would smile. I could see that she was tired. She never complained. I love my mom and I want the world to know that she is "My Kidney Idol." Her unconditional love gave me hope during a critical time in my life. Her strength gave me the desire to want to continue my journey. I have decided to do just that... Go Forward!!
The Lightness of Hope
One winter morning in 1994, I walked into my daughter, Jenna's room to find the window open, snow coming through the window and drifted on the floor. My eye was drawn upward to a big paper candle pasted to Jenna's window. Gently shutting the window,I noticed the note taped to the wall. It read, Dear Angels, "I left my window open so you could come in and heal me, if that's ok. I need surgery for a new dialysis catheter and would really rather not have it. Love, Jenna, age 7" Jenna is now 21 years old and still dialyzes every day after MPGN type 2 or Dense Deposit Disease destroyed her kidneys. For 14 years she has never felt sorry for herself or lost hope that a treatment will be found. But she also has actively fought to find that treatment. Pushed forward by our daughter's resiliency, courage and positive attitude we created Kidneeds a research foundation in 1997. Jenna started two businesses before the age of 14 yrs that have raised over $25,000 for Kidneeds. She talks with other DDD patients who need someone to be there with them. Currently she is the MidWest patient advocate for Network 9. Despite being on daily dialysis this summer Jenna volunteered for a week in South Dakota doing construction, hiked on the Appalachian Trail, worked and took an engineering class. Currently getting double degrees in engineering and Art, Jenna remains an inspiration to all who know her. Her candle burns brightly.
Dream Big
I came to know Amy as her dialysis social worker four years ago and she truly is an inspiration to all. Amy was diagnosed at the age of 12 with kidney disease. She received the first of four transplants in March of 1988. The eight years between her first and three subsequent failed transplants were filled with pain and fear. After the last transplant failed, Amy decided to embrace life to the fullest and Dream Big. Amy has been on peritoneal dialysis since 1998 (with bouts of back up hemodialysis in between). She has worked with Autistic children and tutored many others. She met and married her husband Josh three years ago and is totally in love! They both love ministry work and they love working with children and have worked with several Youth Groups in area churches. Amy and Josh took in her sister's children when her sister was diagnosed with terminal cancer a few years ago. Before her sister's passing last year, Amy made a promise to be the best mom she could be to her sister's four children. Since that time Amy has started her own Arbonne business and has strived to become the best in the region. Running her own business gives her the security she needs for herself, her husband and her sister's children who depend on her. Amy is truly an inspiration and has despite life's difficulties, she never fails to DREAM BIG!
My Caregiver
This story is about my caregiver. After nineteen months on hemodialysis, I began home hemodialysis, six days a week. Training was to begin with the NxStage system. My wife is a school superintendent and works long hours; therefore the task of caregiver fell to my Downs Syndrome son. While I had no doubt; there were questions in the minds of the healthcare professionals who were going to train us. When we began training his attention to details astounded the trainers. They realized that having him as my caregiver wouldn’t present a problem at all. John learned, understood and performed the task of being a caregiver extraordinarily well. He knew the operations of the machine better than I did; I often had to ask him questions. On three occasions my blood pressure dropped so low that I passed out. John knew exactly what to do. He performed the necessary actions in a very calm manner and successfully revived me. On some other occasions he had to help stop my bleeding. He didn’t like the site of blood. He admitted afterwards to his mother that he was scared but he knew that he had to take action. John’s attention to detail and his dedication to caring for me have allowed me to better cope with kidney failure. John knows what the doctor’s say I must do and he keeps me straight and compliant each and every day. I could not have wanted a better more understanding caregiver than John.
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