A letter to God from me

Dear God,
I admit, sometimes I don't always get your messages right away. That's probably why you need to hit me upside the head - or make it REALLY obvious.

OK, so I got the message about what the next role in my life is supposed to be. I have realized through Your grace that I have been given so many gifts in my life - not all of them good or positive. But all my experiences have made me who I am and I wouldn't trade them for anything. And because of that I now understand that I have so much to give back.

So that is the next phase in my life, giving back. In whatever small way I can. I hope that I will be smart enough to recognize the steps when you put them in front of me. I know that I've not always been the most patient person but I'm working on it. But stick with me and I'll stick with you.

your friend,
Melissa

Donations

I've come to a pretty momentous decision in my life. I am starting the process to possibly become a kidney donor.

A girlfriend of mine was feeling pretty lousy a year or two ago. I urged her to see her doctor for a check up. Turns out she has polycystic kidney disease (PKD), an inherited disease where cysts form in your kidneys. Her dad died in his mid-60's from PKD after being on a waiting list for a transplant. While she is doing ok now at 44 years old my friends prognosis is unknown. The disease can be managed long-term if she is careful.

But it got me thinking about the thousands of people on transplant waiting lists all through our country. And I kept seeing articles about people who have made anonymous kidney donation, meaning they didn't know the person they were donating their kidney too.

While this has been a big decision, it was not that difficult. I have always been so healthy with no history of any kinds of disease in my family. After doing some research I've found that they can operate and take my kidney laparascopically, meaning very small incisions. And recovery time with this type of operation is minimal.

I visit my doctor tomorrow to talk with her about her opinion on this and get some preliminary tests done.