A Wild Kidney is Spotted
tl;dr -- after finding out I didn't have a match, a friend and I jumped into the paired kidney donor exchange pool, and a wild kidney was found just for me!
In October 2023, I found out that my three kidney matches were not matches. One friend texted - 'can I call you now?' I knew it wasn't good. The snowball began its quick journey down the hill. Not even an hour later, I got the same text from another friend.
I was in my office. I emailed my coordinator. He immediately called. As he gave me the news, I looked outside at the people at the bus stop. At the trees with their brilliant colors and liberated leaves. All I could do is sit very still.
But, people were already in action -- adding me to the Living Donor Pool with my friend who agreed to jump in with me. Everyone was hustling behind the scenes.
In preparation for Thanksgiving, Marek and I were driving to our favorite bakery in downtown Durham (Loaf, in case you haven't heard our affection for them). Coming down Main St., my phone rang, and my renal coordinator spoke quickly, excitedly, and emotionally. I pulled over -- looking at the rooftops of downtown that Marek and I explored on our first date; where we first watched fireworks together. I was stunned: You found a kidney for me?
'YES!!!!' she exclaimed. 'We are scheduling the procedure.'
I couldn't believe it.
They found a kidney in the wild.
A Wild Kidney: for me.
stay tuned for Part 2: The Elusive Wild Kidney
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