| To begin with, I am a kidney transplant survivor | | | | I thought my time was almost up but it wasn't |
| myself so I know what I am writing about. In | | | | my kidney problem at all. It was my frame of |
| 1992 I was 42 years old. I was also diagnosed | | | | mind. Did you know that wrong thinking can kill |
| with a serious kidney disease. It is called Polycystic | | | | you? |
| Kidney Disease or PKD. By the time I was | | | | I really don't know exactly why I started but I |
| diagnosed my kidneys were too far gone to save. | | | | decided to begin a light exercise program. I |
| I was told by my doctor that if I was going to | | | | started walking for twenty minutes almost every |
| have a kidney disease, PKD was the one to have. | | | | day and I began to see immediate improvement. |
| I remember the creeping weakness that seemed | | | | I found a used free weight set for sale and |
| to control me as my kidneys slowly began to | | | | bought it. I began a workout with those weights |
| shut down. After one visit my doctor looked | | | | every day (it was very, very light weight I might |
| rather shocked and said that he had almost | | | | add). As time went on I became stronger and |
| waited too long. He put me on dialysis | | | | could tell a definite difference in the way I felt. My |
| immediately. We eventually learned how to do the | | | | body was responding to the work. |
| dialysis at home (my sweet wife being the home | | | | Before I began my workouts my blood chemistry |
| helper). | | | | was terrible. About 3 months after I began my |
| Not long after that I was referred to the medical | | | | workouts the blood work began to look a little |
| center in Birmingham, Alabama for evaluation for | | | | better. The last time I went to my doctor my |
| a kidney transplant, and was hoping to get on the | | | | numbers had improved dramatically. I believe the |
| national kidney transplant list. The doctors there | | | | reason is that I have gotten in better shape |
| asked if I had anyone who could be a living donor. | | | | generally which has contributed to the health of |
| Being an only child I had to say no. In an almost | | | | the donated kidney I now have. |
| off hand way they asked if Susan (my wife) | | | | There are other things that have helped also. I |
| might want to be tested to see if she could | | | | have been working diligently on what I put into |
| donate. She immediately agreed. To make a long | | | | my body. There are all kinds of natural and |
| story short she matched almost perfectly. In | | | | nutritional supplements that can greatly benefit |
| 1992 we went into surgery and she gave me one | | | | the way you feel. Because of the workouts, my |
| of her kidneys. The doctors said that it was a | | | | supplements, and a special diet I have been on, I |
| million to one that she would match so closely! | | | | have lost about 30 pounds and the kidney my |
| (She reminds me quite often that she is "one in a | | | | wife gave me is responding terrifically. |
| million" and I counter with "I am just keeping her | | | | I will not kid you. There are still many problems. |
| around for spare parts." :^) ) | | | | Because of one of the medicines I have to take I |
| The surgery was a complete success. I am on | | | | have become diabetic. Arthritis is a constant |
| anti-rejection medicines and several other | | | | companion. Both of these new conditions respond |
| medicines to counter side affects but Susan is | | | | well to the lifestyle I have adopted. It means I |
| very healthy and God has blessed us beyond | | | | WILL exercise faithfully, I WILL eat right and I |
| measure. | | | | WILL stay with the kinds of help I get at Mother |
| Let me give you a little of my history since the | | | | I simply refuse to be a victim. |
| transplant. I am the pastor of a small Baptist | | | | Let me ask you dear transplant friend. Have you |
| church and have been in the ministry for forty | | | | given up? Do you just sit around and bemoan |
| years. Until my kidney problem I had enjoyed | | | | your condition? Your mind can actually contribute |
| very good health. After I was diagnosed I went | | | | to your ill health. But if you will be willing to take |
| through a period of semi-depression and was full | | | | yourself in hand. You must find a light workout |
| of questions. I know God gave me grace to keep | | | | routine that will tone your body. You need to take |
| on going. During that time my health was up and | | | | the nutritional supplements that will enhance your |
| down. About two years ago I was very sick. I | | | | body's overall health, and decide that you are |
| had no strength and felt very complacent. I | | | | going to eat right. If you will do these things you |
| became so weak that I could hardly get up out | | | | too can be stronger than you ever dreamed. |
| of a chair without having something to hold on to. | | | | There is life after transplant. I am living proof. |