Let's see…where did I leave off? Oh yes… Transplant Games of America! Well, we're actually still recovering from the excitement of TGA 2014 in Houston, and we're looking forward to TGA 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio. Anyway, since the games ended, we've been busy bees around here.
Last month, in August, following the Transplant Games, I had an opportunity to volunteer with LifeGift, our organ procurement agency, to spread the DONATE LIFE message at the Diabetes Expo held at Reliant Center. I have been so eager to get more involved with LifeGift, so I grabbed this chance since the Diabetes Expo was held on a Saturday when I was off from work.
This, this past week, on Wednesday, August 20, 2014, I had the privilege of speaking on behalf of organ recipients at The Todd Krampitz Foundation 2015 Kick-Off event. The TK Foundation is one of the 2015 "Run for a Reason" charities affiliated with the Houston Marathon on January 18, 2015. Well…while I was organizing my thoughts regarding "our story" and preparing to speak at this event, I decided that I should sign up to actually run the Houston 1/2 marathon with the TK Foundation! I've been trying for quite some time to muster up the motivation to train for and run my first 1/2 marathon, and if this isn't it, nothing is. The mission of The TK Foundation and my own personal mission are one in the same--to promote organ donor awareness! I need to raise at least $500 for the organization in order to officially be registered for the 1/2 marathon and get my bib!
CLICK HERE to SPONSOR ME to run for The Todd Krampitz Foundation in the 2015 Houston Marathon and support this cause that is so very important to me!!!!!
Finally, I am happy to announce that Elise's current labs are EXCELLENT!
We don't have to go back to TCH for labs for a month! And then our next "liver clinic" is scheduled for October 29.
Last month, in August, following the Transplant Games, I had an opportunity to volunteer with LifeGift, our organ procurement agency, to spread the DONATE LIFE message at the Diabetes Expo held at Reliant Center. I have been so eager to get more involved with LifeGift, so I grabbed this chance since the Diabetes Expo was held on a Saturday when I was off from work.
This, this past week, on Wednesday, August 20, 2014, I had the privilege of speaking on behalf of organ recipients at The Todd Krampitz Foundation 2015 Kick-Off event. The TK Foundation is one of the 2015 "Run for a Reason" charities affiliated with the Houston Marathon on January 18, 2015. Well…while I was organizing my thoughts regarding "our story" and preparing to speak at this event, I decided that I should sign up to actually run the Houston 1/2 marathon with the TK Foundation! I've been trying for quite some time to muster up the motivation to train for and run my first 1/2 marathon, and if this isn't it, nothing is. The mission of The TK Foundation and my own personal mission are one in the same--to promote organ donor awareness! I need to raise at least $500 for the organization in order to officially be registered for the 1/2 marathon and get my bib!
I am always happy to share our story, yet it always seems so difficult when it's time to step up and do it. Reliving our experience is so very emotional. The cracks in my voice always remind me that "this actually happened." I will never stop telling our story, because I believe our story carries an important message in support of organ donation, and it provides hope to others who may be experiencing similar challenges. Also, you know our "donor angel" is an important part of our story, and I want to honor her, as well as all organ donors and organ donor families.
In speaking at the event this week, I first stated that my presence there was only possible because a 20 year old young woman--Julia Wardwell-- signed herself up to be an organ donor shortly before she passed away. I talked about the fact that as a clinical social worker, organ donation has always been a significant issue to me; however, I never imagined for one second that I'd be sharing my personal experience regarding the gift of life. I then shared details about Elise's liver disease, Biliary Atresia, and the complications she endured leading up to her liver transplant. Of course, I detailed the moment that we received "the call;" Ethan lost his shoes somewhere en route to the hospital that day, but he would not be losing his sister. I shared my innermost thoughts during Elise's transplant operation…..that I wanted the whole world to be praying not only for Elise and her surgeons, but for her donor and donor family, for "without the organ donor, there is no transplant, no hope, no gift of life." I was happy to talk about Elise's amazing recovery post transplant--her discharge 9 days following the surgery, beginning to walk at 17 months old, her transition to regular meals as opposed to feeding tube, her "real weight" gain, her return to preschool with her brother, and her gold medal in the Transplant Games of America last month. We know that the deep scar across her belly tells the story of her battle though--a battle that she would have lost had it not been for her donor angel's life-saving gift. I ended by describing the relationship that we have developed with her donor angel Julia's family since our reunion last year after they received the letter that I wrote anonymously to them. Of everything that I have learned about Julia, what is most important to me is this: the fact that she registered herself as an organ donor is just so true to her nature and intention to become a pediatric nurse; she truly reminds us, "It's never too late to be what you might have been." Clearly, the gift of organ donation has restored life not only to Elise, but to our entire family. We are eternally grateful to donors everywhere and their families.
CLICK HERE to SPONSOR ME to run for The Todd Krampitz Foundation in the 2015 Houston Marathon and support this cause that is so very important to me!!!!!
Finally, I am happy to announce that Elise's current labs are EXCELLENT!
For those interested in he specifics:
AST 53, ALT 43, GGT 17, serum prograf level is perfect 3.5 (goal is 3.0- 5.0!)
We don't have to go back to TCH for labs for a month! And then our next "liver clinic" is scheduled for October 29.
