The fragility of life and enjoying the moments...

It has been quite a transition going back to work, emotions, catching up, letting little things go, triage the big stuff, and some big life lessons...   A co-worker had a bike accident a few weeks ago that has resulted in the final decision of following her medical directive and she is now on comfort care.  Another friend whose daughter had major open heart surgery, the second in her very young life.....  This is the 4th  major life altering event that has occurred in the past few months to people close to me.  A lesson I learned 23 years ago when I lost my sight....  I just read a book with the title "Enjoy Every Sandwich"  So thats what I am doing..... 

Yesterday was the Guide Dogs for the Blind annual Holiday Luncheon at the St. Francis in San Francisco.  It was an exhausting, and marvelous day of connecting with friends, old and new, and renewing the spirit of appreciation for all those donors and volunteers that make having a Guide Dog possible.  I got to meet our new CEO Paul Lopez and his wife Deirdre, and visit with former CEO Dick Bobb.  Splash came home smelling of many layers of perfume, it was all good.  

Return to GDB

It was wonderful and exhausting to return to work at Guide Dogs this week. Emails, phone calls, catching up with co-workers and all the things that need attending to after 3 months..... Splash was very happy to be back, and share the office with 3 of her favorite co-workers Fernando, Cody and Dario. Cody is the one with the puzzle ball that looks a little like our old friend Hedda. Lots to be thankful for, including a short week!

Splash and I head back to work tomorrow!

I can't believe what an adventure we have been on. March 1, I donated my kidney to my good friend Ken Altenburger. He is doing fantastic. It turned back the hands of time for him. I had a complication from one of the meds that I received post operatively and ended up with a disease, nephrotic syndrome that has been difficult to cure. But finally I will be released from my house bound shackles and return to work. Not cured yet, but have the energy to return to work. Still have limited exercise, but have done some technical rows, water aerobics walks and swimming.

Splash will also be happy to return to work and her 4 and 2 legged friends. It has been a tough road but we have persevered! Thanks to all my great friends and family, the support has really made it possible for me to get through this ordeal.

Post Kidney Donation (a total success)

Its been a while since I posted. The kidney transplant was a total success. It is now just over 6 weeks since surgery, and my friend Ken is doing phenomenally well, and has even returned to work. His new kidney was working immediately post op, and he walked to my room the day after surgery to visit me. Everyone said he instantly looked 15 years younger! Ken and His wife Dana and I share a special bond now that's hard to describe. I feel grateful to have had the opportunity to do this, and that the transplant team at UCSF was so highly skilled and that this was an option.

Unfortunately I did run into some complications not long after surgery where my remaining kidney began failing. After an additional 11 days at UCSf, tests, and finally returning to surgery for a biopsy of my remaining kidney they discovered that a a drug they give routinely immediately post-op from the nephrectomy, Toradol (to help with pain) caused a kidney disease in my remaining kidney. It is curable,and with high doses of steroids for 4 months, this will all be behind me. This has never occurred in the 30 years of kidney transplants, but they diagnosed it quickly, and I will have a complete recovery. I will get to return to all of my rowing endeavours and work in a few months. In the mean time I am learning patience!

Being a kidney donor is an amazing opportunity, and with the quality of the new anti-rejection drugs available the matches don't need to be as close as they use to. Even if this isn't an option for you, think about filling out the form to include on your drivers license to donate after you are deceased. You can really make a difference!

http://www.petaluma360.com/article/20110321/COMMUNITY/110319560/1362/community?Title=Sight-impaired-friend-donates-the-gift-of-a-lifetimeIts

The day is finally here!

Barbara, Justin and Shannon drove down yesterday from Auburn to pick Splash up for the week. She was wiggling with glee when they arrived and happily went off with them after we had a little snuggle. She will enjoy being with her puppy raising family, and I have heard she has blended right in with the routine. I am clean inside and out, and will head to UCSF at 6:30. I am ready for this, and have really been overwhelmed with the love and support I have received the past few days. I know that will carry both Ken and I through for a successful transplant and recovery. Some things in life you just know when they are right. This is one of those times. Will be writing more on the other side of the surgery.

Aerial (missing Splash)

Tomorrow is the day!

I am packed and ready for tomorrow. Barbara will pick Splash up today and take her home with her for the week. She will have lots of fun being with the family who raised her as a puppy. I am mentally and physically ready. I have been fortunate to have a teemmate of mine who recently donated a kidney to her father in August, 2010. Erin has helped me through all of the pre-testing, and letting me know what to expect in the hospital and post-op. All the good wishes and messages have really been wonderful. I won't be posting until I return home unless I can figure out how to email an entry from my iPhone. Yes, the phone will be with me (grin)

Two days and counting - The adventure that began in September...

I wanted to share with you an amazing journey that began in September of 2010. I found out that a good friend of mine needed to have a kidney transplant in order to avoid dialysis from the effects of type 1 diabetes. My friend Ken is also blind and has a Guide Dog. We met in March of 1996, when he attended Guide Dog school and received his first dog Honcho. I had received my 4th Guide Dog, Deanne in January of 1996 so our dogs were the same age. I was working at Guide Dogs as the director of volunteers. At lunch Ken asked me about volunteering on the campus, and when he got home, he called to see if there were any positions available. As he lived in LA at the time, I told him it would be a long commute. He moved to the North Bay and began volunteering, giving tours, and helping in the office. He has been an employee of Guide Dogs since 1997, first in the Kennel department and now in the Training Dept. We have always enjoyed a healthy competition as athletes (fortunately we don't compete in the same sports) and we commute together to work.

Since I went blind in 1988, I have made many friends over the years whose blindness was a result of diabetes. Many of those friends have passed away. Ken is a friend I wouldn't want to lose. When Ken told me his brother wasn't a match, I knew immediately that I wanted to give him one of my kidneys. It has been a lengthy process without a certainty that we would get to go to surgery. First there was the cross matching of blood/tissue, then testing Ken had to go through in order to be eligible to receive a kidney, waiting for insurance approval, testing I had to go through in order to determine if I am healthy enough, and physically qualify to donate. Three weeks ago we found out we had a surgery date. That was the first time since October when the process began that we knew for sure that I could give my kidney to Ken. Tuesday Ken and I are scheduled for surgery on March 1st at 12:00 at UCSF. Friends and family have made it possible for me to achieve this goal, I couldn't have done it alone!

Aerial and Splash