Lets talk Kidney Donation …………………..

So, I’ve been sitting on this blog post for a while now.. not really sure how to write what I want to say.

A couple of months ago I found out a family member was on Dialysis and needed a Kidney.  He had been on Dialysis for quite some time.. which means hooking up to a machine for 9/10 hours a day. As you can imagine, you kinda have no life when you are on Dialysis. Working full time.. travel time to and from work…he had to be home by a certain time to make sure he was hooked up so he could be unhooked by a certain time the next morning. THAT broke my heart! My immediate response was… lets see if we’re a match! I want to donate one of my kidneys..I want to be a Kidney Donor! I did loads of research on this… became of member of several different groups from Donors and Recipients. I got tons of information and asked lots of questions. After a few trips back and forth to/from Florida for lab tests, exams, meetings… we were given the final GO! We’re a match! I am 100% healthy and EVERYTHING they look for in a match was perfect! We were given the surgery date of August 8th 🙂 (BTW, this day is also my husbands Birthday) Yes, In between ALL my weddings! I did a lot of praying that everything would work out perfect..and it did! The surgery went perfect… the kidney was working at 100% with zero complication. My wonderful Uncle got his life back! You can imagine the joy I felt!

It took me a couple of weeks to recover.. the first week was the hardest… from there things just got better and better. I’m still a bit sore… but nothing I can’t manage. I kept this a secret from most people because I didn’t want anyone to worry.. especially since I had a wedding a few weeks after the surgery 🙂 I photographed the wedding with ease (and Tylenol) and everything went perfectly! I wouldn’t have been able to do this without my amazing assistant, Heather. She’s my little angel.

I can’t even put into words how much this surgery has changed me. I value myself and my family so much more! I see life differently and I LOVE it! This experience has changed me forever and I am forever grateful! My heart is full! I’m beyond proud of myself and the decisions I’ve made! Seeing someone get their life back because of you.. is priceless.  One person can save up to eight lives through organ donation. To save/gave life back…it such an amazing feeling. A feeling I can’t even put into words.

If anyone has any questions for me about this experience..please feel free to send me an email: info@monicarphotography.com

xoxoxo Monica