And it happened Ya'll!

It has been a while since I last posted and to be honest, I have a legit reason as to why I've been M.I.A. So I'm pretty sure that you know but I, on December 7, 2016 at 7 p.m. I received a kidney transplant. I know that you're probably thinking the same thing like "didn't you just get on dialysis?" Actually, yes and that is what makes my testimony so much sweeter to me. Let me be the one to say to NEVER, I mean NEVER, give up. No matter if it's that job, that place, that promotion, or that degree. God will show up and show out at times that you least expect it; especially if it's meant for you. You know I have to give you the tea of how it all went down.  

So, on December 7, 2016, it was a regular day like any other. I got up, disconnected from Henry (my dialysis machine) and chilled out; like usual. However, by the afternoon, I became very tired and decided to take a nap. In the middle of my dream, which I can’t remember, I was rudely interrupted by my little brother. Now before he got these paws, I wanted to know what was SO important that required me to raise from my comfortable slumber. He said "Brie, get up. They found you a kidney! Everybody been calling you!" All I could say was, "huh?" He said it again. I picked up my phone and I had THIRTEEN missed calls. Now just to give you understanding, when you are on the kidney transplant list and they call you, you have an hour to respond or they move on to the next person.

​So, I'm running around like a chicken with my head cut off. Next thing I know while my brother is recording my every emotion, my dad calls and he's asking questions and he's like you need to call your mom. I call her and she's like “what you been doing! They found you a kidney!” She gives me the number to call them back and boom, I'm on the phone with the Cleveland Clinic. They give me details as to where the kidney came from and she says those words, "Ms. Salter, do you accept this kidney?" I immediately burst into tears. I couldn't believe it. I've known for people to be on dialysis for years and there are some who never get a new kidney. I'm thinking like LORD... REALLY? The lady over the phone sounded like she wanted to cry and she gave me a minute to get my emotions together. I then say, "Yes, I accept the kidney" and from there it was on. So now I'm waiting because I may go into surgery that night or the next morning. I go take a shower and my aunt, who left her job when she got the news and drove to the house, busted into the bathroom where I was FULLY BOOTY BUTT NAKED to hug me. Her eyes were full of tears and I began crying. Right there, naked, hugging my aunt. Now that I think about it, that was kinda gay but a very special moment. I get a call back from Cleveland Clinic and the coordinator tells me, don’t eat anything because you’re going into surgery tonight so you need to get here now.

At kidney transplant orientation, they told me to have a bag packed JUST in case you get that unexpected call. Well I didn’t have a bag packed. I just threw everything I could think of in a suitcase. LOL. That’s what I get for doubting.

So now, we are on the road and I’m starving. All I could think about was food. I was sleeping for about 3 hours and I don’t know about ya’ll but when I wake up, I want food. Anyway, on my way down to the Cleveland Clinic, I’m calling my pastor, my dialysis nurses, my dialysis case manager, and every other family member that came to my head at that moment. I’m nervous, anxious, worried, and excited at the same time. I just could NOT believe it. It happened so fast. We get there and I go through the prep process where they are taking X-rays and whatnot. Then the nurse says, “It’s time to go to the OR”. NOW, I’m really crying. We enter the operating room where I see my surgeon dressed up and I see this funny looking machine. Sobbing, I thank the nurses, the surgeon and other staff who is getting ready to cut me open and give me this kidney. I see a machine behind me and I ask “is my kidney in there?” The nurse says, “yes”. I started really crying then. Tears, snot running every way and I’m just overwhelmed. So many thoughts, emotions. But I was as ready as I ever could be.

Next thing I know they gave me happy juice and I was gone. I didn’t even get to count backwards or say my alphabet. The surgery was about 3 to 4 hours long. When I woke up, I was so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so SORE! They gave me a button to push so whenever I needed Dilaudid, I just push the button and the machine shoots it through my IV for me. The next day, the nurse bops in the room EARLY and said “Alright Ms. Salter it’s time to get up and walk. I said “WALK?!” I just had surgery last night and I need rest”. Well, apparently, I had to get the blood flowing so I could heal properly. Boy, did that hurt. I was only in the hospital for 2 days. Now that I think back, that was amazing. Ok, on to part 2.