3 months in...

Well, yesterday, March 7, 2017 made 3 months since I received my kidney transplant. I had to drive down to Weston, Florida and meet up with my Transplant Nurse and the physician to check vitals and make sure that the kidney was pumping fine with no increased risk of rejection. I also had to pick up the 6 or 7 different medications that I needed refills on. All vitals came back normal and all I could say was "Lord, thank you." Since the transplant, so much has taken place and so many blessings have come my way. Not running around with Henry all the time has in fact made things way much easier. No more having to take boxes and boxes of dialysis fluid when I travel. I no longer have that tube hanging from my abdomen. However, I have still had moments when I'm down due to the fact that there is a 40% chance that I can get kidney disease again. Everyday I see the scares and bruises that my body has endured, especially within the last year. I don't always ponder on the negative but I don't act like they aren't there. I will say that it is my negatives and my memories of those times that push me the hardest to get better, to succeed and to continue writing sharing the things that I've gone through. I'm on a new list of medications with a few that I will take forever. The LupieGirl grew not only because it's what I wanted to do, it was really because of those who believed in me and wanted to see me grow and God telling me to make everyone aware of this devastating disease that is claiming the lives of many people everyday.

For everyone that has Lupus or has some chronic illness, or know someone suffering from it, pray. Pray for that day when things may change. Stay encouraged and have a team of people that will stand in the gap for you when you have no strength or zeal to pray for yourself. My village and God is who kept me through this entire process. A while ago, I almost lost my mind and gave up. However, my village; family, friends, church members, friends of friends; continuously prayed for me and encouraged me. Outside of Lupus, I dealt with other issues that many people may face. I was slapped with the cold reality that I may not be able to do the one thing that women are blessed to do; have children. All I can say now is BUT GOD! I remember sitting in my room in the dark, crying out, begging for change. Sometimes, I would just cry and say nothing. One thing I will always say is God, thank you. I won't only thank him for all the things he has done for me but for also going through this and living to tell the story. I thank him for this experience, humbling me to see what it's like when people walk out on you, when people take from you, when you constantly pray and it doesn't come on your own time and the very fact that when God comes through, he comes all the way through, when you LEAST expect it! I was supposed to be talking about the different medications that I take right now and the things I can and can't do. However, my heart shifted me in a different direction and I pray that you all stay encouraged and enduring whatever fight it is that you're fighting. Please know, just because I have received a kidney transplant, the fight for me is NOT over. I will still suffer from Lupus for the rest of my life.