01/12/2025
It’s here! A day I thought wouldn’t see. 2025 FOUR YEARS LATER! Doesn’t seem possible that I’m still here watching my children grow up (way too fast). They are my world and I am so thankful I am alive and healthy to see all their accomplishments, to watch them learn new things, to see who they are growing up to be, to love them and to guide them.
Before my transplant I’ll be honest my blood work and six month check ups would be one of the scariest days. Each time going in watching my kidney levels go up meaning closer to transplant list or dialysis. I am so very thankful besides my kidney disease I was healthy.
The day I went in and my Dr said “it’s time to start getting prepared to get on the transplant list” my heart sank. If you know me, my head started spinning, and I was thinking about everything that could go wrong everything that could possibly go right. All things. 
I am so thankful that I have my husband by my side through every appointment. He has been my rock through everything. Since day one when I told him about my kidney disease when we got together at 14 years old and he told me he would be by my side through it all. He wasn’t lying. At 33 years old he has been by my side through it all. Every step.
After hours spent at the hospital, lots and lots of blood work and health checks I finally got on the transplant list. Such a scary and long process. But I couldn’t even believe how much support I had. I had amazing families put together fundraisers, get checked to see if they would be a good match to be a donor, be there through all my tears, cheer me on and tell me everything will be ok.
After ONLY one year of being on the list my mother got approved and matched to be my kidney donor. This was amazing news. They said this would be the best donor.
A few short months later I got scheduled for my transplant. Such a scary moment. But also very exciting.
The day of our surgery sitting in that hospital bed waiting for my turn to get a new kidney was scary, exciting, nerve-racking, all the emotions. My mom would walk into my room in her hospital gown to check in on me and see how I was doing. She was so happy, would say silly jokes, would be silly. She didn’t seem nervous one bit. It helped calm my nerves. I’m sure she was nervous but she sure was good at hiding it (probably to make me feel less nervous 🤪).
Transplant went amazing. My mom is amazing. I wouldn’t be here without her now giving me a second chance at life. I am so thankful for her and her willing to donate her kidney to me and give me another chance at life. I appreciate you, I am thankful for you, I love you mom!
I am thankful for everyone who has stuck by my side and cheered me on. Thank you!!!
Kidney disease is real. It is scary. But I’m kicking its butt! And will continue to fight so I can be here for my husband and children. 💚💚
-Brit
