HEAR ME ROAR!

Well....I am on the mend from the you know what surgery and all is well in Donna Land. I still don't have my stamina back...but am working on it.

I went to see my kidney guy...(Dr. Toto in Dallas) and he thinks it's time to start the transplant (kidney) procedures. Which means probably 6mos out. I am just guessing, but I have to start the paperwork and then be evaluated. I have to take quite a few tests before all is said and done. I guess they want to make sure I am healthy enough to go thru the procedure.

I have always said...I am very healthy...just have a few bumps in my road...but other than that...
I AM WOMAN! When I do get a new kidney people tell me that I will feel 100% better. I guess I don't know that I don't feel good now. Yes I get tired and everything on me swells, but who doesn't have a bad day now and then.

I was following Rob and April's blog. Rob and I are members of the same writers group. His wife, April was also in kidney failure and Rob donated his kidney to his wife. I remember reading on his blog that he was in quite a bit of pain and I hate the fact that I may have to put one of my loved ones thru that. My sister and my husband have volunteered their kidneys and they are possibilities. My beautiful daughter, Kelli, also volunteered her kidney, but she is too young and I don't want to take anything away from her that she may need in her future.

It didn't end well for Rob and April. She passed away shortly after the transplant, however they don't think it was the procedure or the kidney that was the problem. Rob thinks it may have been her diabetes.

I don't know what I would do if I were to lose my husband. I think Rob is amazing. I didn't have the pleasure of knowing April, but from what I have heard she must of been someone special. Rob, if you are reading this, I know we don't know each other except in passing, but I hope I can have your strength if heartbreak comes to my home.

I know I am kind of rambling, but I just wanted to let everyone know that the transplant is in process now and hopefully we can get this show on the road. Once again....
HEAR ME ROAR.....BRING IT ON.

My name is Donna and as soon as they give me all new parts...I will be brand new!

I have a really cool daughter

I was dissapointed that I didn't get to have breakfast with my daughter and her husband this morning. I had a brain tumor and it has successfully been removed. The only drawback is that it has been hard to heal and I am extremely ready for this to be over with.

My daughter, Kelli, is probably the best daughter in the world. She is always there when I need her and she never, never, never has a negative thing to say about anyone. We had plans this morning to have breakfast at a local IHOP, but I had this stupid headache when I woke up and had to cancel.

My name is Mom and Kelli if you are reading this...you are the best and I love you very much.

Hey Ken.......Thanks

This is a post for a friend of ours whose name is Ken. You never really know who your friends are until it comes down to just giving of yourself and that is exactly what Ken did the day of my surgery. He is actually a friend of my husbands, but I have always enjoyed the times our families got together and socialized. We have taken a few trips together and gone to a few parties.

The day of my surgery, Ken showed up at the hospital and kept Ed's mind on other things so he would'nt just sit there and worry about what was happening to me. I had loads of family members there also, but they were there for me (I hope) and they helped keep each other occupied as well. But Ken, he didn't have to interupt his day and come to the hospital. He could have sent well wishes, but instead, he took the time to think of Ed and changed his schedule to take care of a friend.

Thank you Ken, you may have thought it was a nice thing to do, but to me, you have now been moved to a very special catagory in my life. You are a person who cares about your friends and you are there to back that claim up. I know Ed could of prevailed without you there. As I said we had loved ones and other friends who sweated it out with us, but they were there for me. Thank you for thinking of Ed. I will never forget your kindness.

My name is Donna and everyday that the old ticker ticks, I realize how lucky I am to be surrounded by the best people in the world. Friends, family and all the good wishes I know were out there for me from people I do not know during this whole tumor thing.

I am Loving Life.

Sounds strange saying that after begging for an instant death and release from pain forever, however, life can never be taken too lightly. I was treated for a "Stupid Brain Tumor" at UT Southwestern University Hospital - Zale Lipshey.

Not only were the doctors, nurses, technitions, valets who parked my familie's cars, the folks who checked my bodily functions, the guy who made sure my a/c was working and keeping me comfortable, the women and men who mopped my floor, and their peers who changed my sheets, including everyone who always delivered my food with a smile on their face. (The food was really good also) to the employees who just dropped by to make sure I was OK, excellent, they made the experience a memorable one and made me remember how people are supposed to treat each other.

Their kindness, concern and caring touched my heart every time they entered my room and I will be thankful on a daily basis as to how each and every one of these caring individuals contributed to saving my life.

I know I am being all sappy and I'm having a Touched by an Angel moment , but I am thankful to be alive and I just wanted everyone involved in that process to know that I realize it is because of them that I am sucking it in and exhaling it out.

So to sum up this flowering mess, I want to thank my family, friends and professional team for their decision....

Thank you for deciding I was worth the effort.

My name is Donna and I will live another day because of you.

Come on In...I'm giving myself a "Pity Party" and your invited.

Today is the first day of the rest of my life!......How Hoakie!.......but I do have to believe it is true.

It's time for me to get real.......The pain level I went thru today was probably the worst pain I have ever experienced. Between me gulping tears, holding my head, rocking back and forth and singing the song of the dead, how do I sucessfully push thru this pain only to find its twin on the other side?

I have not been honest with myself , much less with you about the level of pain I have been going thru with this $#@^& Tumor. I keep thinking...tomorrow will be better so I fib and say to myself that today must not of been that bad in the land of brain tumors and horrendous illnesses. Well let me tell you......that is sooooo nooooooot trueeeeeee. Facing the fact that I am not invincible, that I have a weakness and that it is not deniable, that is what hurts most.

I try to lead my life with honor and humor. By not sharing the facts of pain, I am deluting all of the past heroic folks that have gone thru life threatening experiences and come out the other side better people. I want to be like them. I want to be strong. I want to be a force. Someday, maybe I will be. I can only continue to try.

I am so lucky to have people in my life that give me strength, hope, laughter and love. These people are the folks who don't leave. They stay, no matter what. They are my friends and family. This post is differenat from my other ones. I am giving myself a little "Hospital Pity Party" and it is a big thank you from Me to You.

Ed, I love you more than you will ever know. You are my husband, my life partner and my best friend. Kelli, I love you more than you will ever know. You are my daughter, my life partner and my best friend. Katy, I love you more than you will ever know. You are my sister, my life partner and my best friend. Matt, I love you more than you will ever know. You are my cousin, my life partner and my best friend. Marlowe, I love you more than you will ever know. You are my niece, my life partner and my best friend.

Everyone else who makes my life complete, you know who you are. You are my son-in-law, my nephews, nieces, mother-in-law, sister-in-laws, my writer's club friends and my life long friends. You all make it click for me. Whether you are in my life for a moment or forever, thanks for walking beside me for however long we have together.

I just learned that someone I greatly admire is suffering. His name is Rod and he donated his kidney to his loving wife April, last Wednesday. From what I understand, everything was going well and they were expected to be released from the hospital today. She passed away last night. I can only imagine how devasted he is. My heart is with you and it breaks for you every time I think about the pain you will have to push thru.

As I sit in this hospital bed, wiping my eyes for my self very own pity party, I will say this one last time, because I want to make sure you understand my feelings.

Thanks for Saving My Life on a Daily Basis and

Thank You for Making My Life What It Is.

And What It Is,

Is Great!