matchmaker

I wanted to get to this about three days ago but I have been very busy with a freelance project, plus a girl has to sleep and eat, ya know! I mentioned in my last post about feeling so anxious to get the results from my exams at Weill-Cornell. I had anticipated approximately two weeks of waiting, biting my nails, tapping my fingers, twisting my hair... ok, you get the point. Anyhow, much to my surprise, I received a call on Thursday, July 15th, 2 DAYS AFTER MY TESTS!!! Can you believe it? Well, I can't.

I saw the 'missed call' on my phone and when I checked to see who it was, a rush of excitement mixed with concern filled my tummy. I hesitated for about 5 minutes before I returned the call to Marian. Over the past month I had put a lot of thought into how I might react should I get the unfortunate news that I would not be able to donate. I also decided that should it come to that, I must accept it for what it is and know that everything happens for a reason. However, in my heart I just knew that this was going to work out and that I would pass with flying colors. I did!

It was in the middle of the afternoon and I was at the office - I wanted to scream and shout but thought I might wake the dead that I work with. I can't describe the joy, relief and excitement that I felt. It was almost as if Ed McMahon rang my doorbell and greeted me with a handful of helium balloons and an envelope the size of a VW Bug. Ok not really, but close. The conversation was short and sweet and she told me that the next step was to release the results to the National Kidney Registry so that they could then find me a match.

Again, I was going to give this about 2 weeks, and then I was going to get on the horn and annoy everyone at the NKR to fill me in as to whether they had received the paperwork yet. They must have been having a slow day (or they want to get the Stimpson file off their desk), because I received an email on Wednesday, July 21st, from the NKR. Diane, the administrative coordinator at the Registry, shared the wonderful news with me that they would now begin to look for a match for me! WOO HOO! I certainly hope that they have better luck in finding me a match for my kidney than I have had trying to find a match for my lovelife. This could end up being a 4+ year quest if they encounter the challenges that I have in that department. Let's move on, shall we?

I'm so impressed with the flow of this process as of yet. I think we can all agree that when working with the medical field, speed is not exactly their strength. Not unless they want a payment of course. I am truly surprised at the seamless transition from one institution to the other. I know, they have done this before. I also know that they are experts in their field as well. I guess I just anticipated having to make numerous phone calls and send dozens of emails to get answers and progress reports from stage to stage. None of that has been necessary and thank God because I'm a woman on a mission and they don't wanna mess with me when I've gone too long without sugar. Oh, did I say that out loud? Anyhow, I'm so pleased, I'm grateful and I feel like a million bucks that the last two weeks have been so progressive for me.

Now I sit and wait, and wait, and wait. It's all good though because I am savoring my moments in my journey. I'm enjoying the process, the phone calls, the information, the new contacts I have made with other living donors, and most of all I have enjoyed the love and support that I am getting from all my friends and family. I want you all to know that your presence in my life has made me the person I am today, and I thank you for that.

Until next time... don't ever think it's a good idea to run a 5K when the humidity is at about 130% with the temp at around 80. Just a thought.