The girl with something extra

I'm just the girl with something extra. About 4 years ago a coworker of mine that I admire and respect and like very much had a bad bout with her Lupus. She had been diagnosed with Lupus many years earlier and had had it under control for some 20 years . . but then for whatever reason (stress can be a factor) it took over her body again and she was in serious trouble trying to battle it. At one time I understood what Lupus was but now I've forgotten it. Go ahead and research it if you want. All I know is that I felt so bad for her and she was in pretty dire straights. If you knew her she is just the best person ever.

She was in such serious condition that they feared she would need a new kidney. I thought to myself, "I wish there was something I could do for her." And then it dawned on me that I could. I could give her a kidney. So after having some serious discussion with the doctors about what this might mean and clearing it with my husband and kids, I underwent everything to determine if we were a match.

I can't remember everything that they tested but there were blood tests and physicals and pokes and prods and urine samples and doctors offices and labs and waiting and paperwork. Finally, lo and behold, the doctors determined that I was a match for her. She knew that someone was undergoing testing for her but she didn't know who because I just sort of felt like I wanted to keep it confidential. I told very few people about it because I felt shy about it.

Then, right before Christmas the results came in and I found out that I was a match to be a kidney donor for her. We were off of work for Christmas break but I was so excited to share the news with her so I called her up and made some excuse to drop by her house. I was trying to think of how I wanted to tell her that I was a match. I grabbed a piece of cardboard and glued a kidney bean + a piece of kleenex (tissue) and a matchstick to it and put it in an envelope . . . get it?? Kidney + Tissue + Match.

When I presented her with the card and she figured out the meaning she just couldn't believe it and she was overwhelmed with gratitude . . .. it was awesome. I felt so happy seeing the joy in her eyes. I requested that she keep it confidential, because . . . well, because . . it's personal. There were just a few more tests I had to undergo; including some X-rays and an MRI.

After another long waiting period, the results finally came back and much to the doctors' amazement . .. . . .they showed that instead of the two renal ateries that most people have coming down from the aorta leading into the kidneys, I have three and instead of just one ureter leading from the kidney to the bladder, I am lucky enought have two!!!!!! I'm just the girl with something extra!! (anybody who knows me shouldn't be surprised by this.) At anyrate I was informed, that after much deliberation by the panel of doctors who review this stuff for kidney transplants, they felt it would just be too risky, given my unusual anatomy. According to the nurse that informed me, there had been lively debate by the doctors and it was a very tough call for them.

So . . . . . I didn't get to be a kidney donor after all to someone who would have been so deserving. Alas, this story has a happy ending anyway. My co-worker has her Lupus back under control and (at least for the mean time) she doesn't need anyone else's kidney anyway!