Chili + Kidney = Life

08/24/2024

Exactly 6 months ago today I was recovering from life saving/changing surgery. It’s been a pretty wild ride for sure. I think about where I might be now without the help of all my friends and family who did their part to help me in many different ways. I sit here today much healthier and in better shape than I was before getting sick. I’m looking forward to many more months and years that were given to me. Thank you to everyone for your kindness and encouragement throughout this journey.

05/08/2024

Living proof over here. Aside from my son, it’s the greatest gift I have ever received. 💜💪🏼🤘🏼

Donate Life Virginia says organ donors can each save up to 8 lives. Tissue donors can help up to 75 people.

04/30/2024

One of my sweet residents made this for me. 🥹😭

04/23/2024

I want to continue to use this platform to promote kidney donation, kidney disease awareness, and self care to everyone who cares to listen, learn, support.

Kidney disease is often not detected until it is too late. I urge everyone to see your doctor regularly and take part in your self care. I might not have gone through the process I did had I done so myself. It’s a regret I have come to terms with. So don’t be like me!! Take care of yourself!

As for kidney donation, I urge anyone out there to be someone’s hero. Living donation is the best possible scenario for someone in need. If you’re the least bit interested, reach out to a medical facility and see what you can do to help them. The surgery for a donor is very simple. You’re usually out of the hospital in a day or so and back to normal within a week or two. Just think what you could do for someone and their family. Help someone’s dreams come true. If you have questions, please ask me. I will help you any way I can.

Thanks to everyone for your love and continued support. I truly love you all very much!!

03/11/2024

Doctors say… 90% sure I will not need any further dialysis!! 💜💜💜

03/10/2024

UPDATE:
For those of you that might not have known, this is how my week has gone.
On Monday I came to uva for routine lab work and a visit with my transplant team. After an ultrasound they saw something concerning and admitted me right away. The next day I came down with pneumonia. At that point the pneumonia took presidence and they started investigating the infection. After rounds and rounds of bloodwork and a bronchial procedure I wouldn’t wish on my enemies , the infection did not show any alarming cultures. So I just had to fight off the fever so they could schedule a biopsy on the new kidney. Fast forward to today. Doctors said the biopsy results show NO signs of rejection!!

I owe it to all of you that said a prayer for me. You are deeply loved and appreciated. ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

02/28/2024

I’ve talked to a few people individually, but I wanted to drop a message to everyone. I’m currently still at UVA. Doing great by the way, and I may even get to come home today. Since the kidney i received came from a deceased donor, sometimes it takes a while for it to wake up and do everything it’s supposed to do. Nothing to be alarmed about, it’s very common. So at the moment I’m doing a round of dialysis that they hope will do the job. It’s possible I may need more but that’s OK. I really do feel blessed for many reasons. I’m blessed for the friends that mentioned me to a family that was losing a loved one. I was actually able to be in contact with that family through the process as well, and I want to take a moment to say how much I appreciate them and the gift that they gave me. You won’t know how beautiful it is unless you experience it yourself. It truly is a miracle. I’m also blessed to have all of you out there praying and thinking of me. I’ve been overwhelmed with all the messages and response here. Even though we may not see each other very often or even talk much, please know that I love each and everyone of you so much. Having faced possible death, and being able to come out on the side of life is very humbling and I plan to live this life to the fullest that I can. Thanks again for all the kind messages and I hope to see all of you sometime soon ❤️❤️❤️

02/21/2024

Pray hard for positive news!! 🤞🏼🤞🏼

12/25/2023

Merry Christmas everyone!

12/24/2023

Give the gift of life to someone for Christmas!! Whether it’s for me or someone else, your selfless contribution is greatly appreciated. Just think, if your blood type is not a match for me, it could be for someone else. Then, that person’s donator could be my match. And that means we both get a kidney. It’s amazing what you’re able to do for your fellow humans.

Follow the link to be a hero!! Share it with your friends.

https//www.uvahealth.com/livingdonation

12/20/2023

Headed to UVA to talk transplant. Hoping to leave there today and be on their list. Wish me luck 🍀 ❤️