In December 2014, I fell ill with sepsis, as a result of having had strep throat. My organs had already started shutting down, so I was life-flighted to St. Thomas West in Nashville, TN. There, I spent 73 days in a medically induced coma, hooked to countless machines, fighting for my life. The infection attacked my heart, lungs, and kidneys. I recovered but was far from being normal. I spent one month at a rehabilitation hospital learning to walk again…

  I was diagnosed at 23 y/o with PKD. Over the years we just watched and waited. I switched nephrologists in 2015 or 2016 to U of L Nephrology. They were very PROACTIVE advocates. I was not on dialysis yet, but the goal was to help me before I needed it. I was put on the list October of 2017 and my friends and family began testing. I found out in March that my aunt was a perfect match and…

  As a parent, there are always milestones in the lives of our children marking important life events. The many firsts: learning to crawl, and then walk, starting kindergarten, losing the first tooth, and then entering middle school, high school, college and beyond. These milestones are significant markers in the lives of our families. My husband and I look on the milestones of our three boys with a joyful reminiscence for those we have experienced and joyful anticipation for those…

Cynthia is a mother of 3 boys and a dedicated wife to her husband of 35 years.  3 years ago their lives were hectic, as you can expect in a family of 5, but nothing prepared them for what was on the horizon.  One day Cynthia was scheduled to go to her doctor’s office because she was experiencing some yellowing of the eyes.  She didn’t think much of it, as she had no pain anywhere else and was otherwise, completely…

November is a month of giving THANKS!  It is a time that many take the time to enjoy family and friends and to remember all the “Good Things” in their life!  Every November begins a new season of “giving,” and it is also a time that many around the world recognize as the “Donor Sabbath” month. During the National Donor Sabbath, faith leaders, donor families, transplant recipients, and donation and transplantation professionals participate in services and programs to increase awareness.…

August 2, 2014 – Our journey began! While on reserve duty at Ft Knox, KY I had an unstoppable coughing event, so I went to Ireland Army Hospital where I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. I went through several procedures to try and avoid a transplant, but none were effective enough. June 19, 2015- The decision was made to try to keep me healthy enough to get a heart transplant. I entered the hospital on September 4, 2015 (Friday…

August 2, 2014 – Our journey began! While on reserve duty at Ft Knox, KY I had an unstoppable coughing event, so I went to Ireland Army Hospital where I was diagnosed with congestive heart failure. I went through several procedures to try and avoid a transplant, but none were effective enough. June 19, 2015- The decision was made to try to keep me healthy enough to get a heart transplant. I entered the hospital on September 4, 2015 (Friday…

Sorry for the reminder, but it’s almost holiday season in my world. I can’t even fathom how that’s happened so quickly! 61 days until Halloween (if you needed another reminder of how quick the year is going) We had a wonderful picnic in Lexington at Jacobson Park last week where Ambassadors experienced a whole lot of love and friendship. Here’s a Facebook post from a recipient family on how special it was. Tonight we attended a picnic surrounded by fellow…