Deciding to become a potential living donor was easy for me. My husband and children said "what are you waiting for?" when I suggested one night at dinner that AI submit an application to be considered as a kidney transplant candidate. Giving life to a  sweet innocent boy who has a wonderful and loving family is just the right thing to do. So to hear people’s reactions when I say that I’m a PD#1 for a non-family member haven’t been what I would have thought. Most people say…

"Are you really?"

"What did your mom say about it?"

"Really?"

"What about you? What if something happens to you?"

"Boy, I couldn’t do that."

It’s not that I was expecting confetti and congratulations, mind you. But it is totally opposite of what I imagined. I just don’t think I’m really that odd to offer this spare organ in my body which will prolong someone else’s life. What’s so hard to grasp about?? Especially since I have been blessed with two healthy children of my own, who I take to the doctor once maybe twice a year for sinus infections or yearly check ups. And not to mention the fact that I have been a "Kidneys & Eyes" website addict since the initial postings, learning about the problems/issues that parents of special needs children face each day and understanding how truly blessed I am.

And so now, I’m waiting on a phone call to set up my first appointment for additional lab work. It was over a week ago that the hospital said that they’d be calling me back to set up this appointment…and I’m still waiting. I’ve already called and left two messages with the lab coordinator – still nothing. Don’t they understand it’s Gage’s quality of life we’re talking about here? Guess I need to start leaning about Zen breathing and jumping bunnies…

Note from Julia: I understand from today’s update there is a delay in scheduling the first appointment for PD#1 because of "insurance verification" and someone is going to check into that. PD#1 should be commended (I mean besides offering a kidney) for staying on those transplant coordinators. I thank her. She’s a girl after my own heart for her tenacity. I heart her for trying to push this all through.

Update from today: Apparently PD#1 gets to do the urine collection over the weekend which is the first phycial step once you agree to go forward. Because carrying around a jug o’pee is so much fun, no? And then Monday she gets to give more blood, for which smelly (I think she meant smelling) salts will be used because she’s a little queasy with the needles…and she still wants to donate a kidney!