Today is a special day for me...23 years ago today I had my kidney transplant! It was all because my donor, Ryan, said "yes" to organ donation. He was 16 years old and was killed in a horrible car accident.
As a result, - I saw both of my daughters marry and I now have 2 buddies, my grandsons.
- I had a rewarding career in the Milwaukee area, helping seniors get the help they needed
- My husband and I traveled to Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, Canada and visit with friends & family throughout the USA. We moved from WI to our beloved Rocky Mts. in Wyoming.
- I have been able to "give back" as a volunteer and public speaker with the CO/WY Donor Alliance, as an Ambassador here on HealthUnlocked and a Kidney Advocate with the NKF.
One bit of advice I have for all of you, whether you are a CKD patient or have had a transplant like me, is always listen to yourself. You know your body better than anyone. You know when something isn't quite right. Call your doctors' office ASAP. I have avoided big health problems just by knowing myself and when to get help.
When I was first diagnosed with CKD in 1992, a friend gave me this poem.
ATTITUDE
The longer I live, the more I realize the impact of attitude on life.
Attitude to me is more important than the past, than education, than money, than circumstances, than failures, than successes, than what other people say, or think, or do.
It is more important than giftedness or skill.
It will make or break a company, a church, a home. The remarkable thing is, we have a choice every day regarding the Attitude we will embrace for that day.
I am convinced that life is ten percent what happens to me, and ninety percent how I react to it.
Charles Swindoll
Flaming Gorge, Wyoming, picture with me.
CKD 2 at 27 Guidance needed 
First Face-to-Face With Other CKD Patients
Kidney failure stage 4 and am worried? 
It's official! Update on transplant! 
