Nov. 10, 2011
I spent most of my recovery time in Bremerton with the help
of my parents and friends. I was given a three month period in which I had to
be exceedingly careful. I was informed that I should stay away from crowds to
prevent sickness. I wasn’t supposed to really lift anything for the first six
or so weeks. I tried my best to follow all of the doctors' orders
perfectly, the operative word being TRY. As time went on, my appointments at
the UW became less and less. From two times per week, to one time a week, and
so on. The first month was a little rough. I was going through an onslaught of
emotions and feelings. At the forefront of it all was feelings of gratefulness
and joy. Sometimes I felt guilty to have put Kara and her family through all of
this. Knowing that Kara couldn’t lift her small children for sometime after
surgery and all of the emotional toll that her and her family had to endure,
was a definite struggle for me. Although no one by any means made me feel this
way, I still had moments like these.
The team alerted me to move around as much as possible
during the recovery process. The more I moved, the faster I would feel better
and more like myself again. I would say that after a month, I was feeling
really well again. My energy level was back in full swing and I started to
notice myself doing things that I couldn’t have done when I was sick. Now I was
able to run errands, walk around without being tired and fill my days with more
activities. I really missed the little things when I was in need of a kidney. I
remember how tired and run down I felt. I could only choose and do one activity
for the day before I was exhausted. I’m so thankful to feel normal again. It’s
absolutely amazing; almost indescribable.
Kara and I were asked to participate in an interview about
our story in August 2011, about two months after surgery. It was for the local
access channel called BKAT. The show was called “Around Kitsap” and Kara knew
the host, Char Burnett. I’m not going to lie and say I was initially thrilled
about doing the interview. I’m by no means a public speaker. Now Kara on the
other hand is the opposite; a complete natural when talking to large groups. I
was terrified at the thought of doing this. I knew that it was the right thing
to do though. I knew someone, somewhere would benefit from our story. So I set
my fear aside and agreed to participate. Char sent us a few emails to tell us
the general outline for the interview. She also explained that she would like
it to be an easy, relaxed conversation in an informal setting, like maybe
outside. This all sounded good to me. The day had finally arrived. Kara picked
me up and we drove to the studio in our matching kidney tees. YES I SAID
STUDIO. We walk in and there it all was. Cameramen with big, intimidating machines,
and then I saw where we would sit. It was a professional setting with a
desk positioned under a bright spot light with a large, sweeping, blue
curtain to frame the set. This was anything but relaxed and informal. I
could hardly breathe. There were three chairs and of course Char insisted I sit
dead center. I tried to convince her that Kara should sit in the middle
but she wasn’t biting at all. The tech guys put microphones on us and told
us to count in a regular voice to perform a sound check. I might as well have
been on mars at this point; I had absolutely no clue as to what was going on,
and furthermore what I was going to say!! I have a good friend named Abby who
reports for the Anchorage news and I tried to channel her in some way but fell
short. I seriously don’t know how she does it. Anywho, back to the terror. So
all of a sudden Char makes the executive decision to get started and what do
you know?! I start crying and I
mean the ugly cry. Anyone who knows me probably has no problem envisioning this
whole episode. At that point I really didn’t think I was going to be able to
pull together and make this happen. I looked so silly. I took a few deep
breaths, listened to Kara and Char’s encouraging words and prepared to try
again. In no time at all, the camera guy was counting down to start the show. I
was just myself and it went great!
I don’t think anyone watching would have known that I had just cried
minutes prior. I was so happy I was able to do it but I was also happy it was
over.
I’m now almost six months out. Today is Nov. 10, 2011. Kara
is well and I feel great. My health is doing very well and I really feel
stronger than I did before all of this. It’s so amazingly wonderful to not have
to worry or do dialysis anymore. I’m happy that the people I know don’t have to
worry anymore either. It’s fantastic that Kara is feeling great too! There
isn’t much to say when all is good. It's just been one excellent day after the
next.
I’m now living back in Seattle and able to finish my
education, which is such a blessing. Who knows where I would be without Kara’s
beautiful gift of life and generosity. I'm really appreciative and grateful for
it all. Another chance is so precious, so I try my best to capitalize on every
moment and help whomever I can. Like Kara did, if I can pay it forward to
someone else, I would feel complete. I owe Kara, all of my friends and family
and above all, God. If we can all do something to help others, imagine what
this world would look like. If we had nothing but “Karas” walking around, this
place would be much brighter. She is a role model for everyone and I pray
that the Lord blesses her and her family each and every day. Kara I love you
and I hope this act of love will encourage others to do the same.
~Cherina
