I Hate Dialysis Message Board

Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: News Articles => Topic started by: okarol on July 21, 2008, 12:12:14 AM

Title: Transplant Brings Two Friends Together (Our own Donnia!)
Post by: okarol on July 21, 2008, 12:12:14 AM
Transplant Brings Two Friends Together

Reported by: KSAN NEWS

WATCH THE VIDEO: http://conchovalleyhomepage.com/media_player.php?media_id=12871

Sunday, Jul 20, 2008 @11:24pm CST

Back in November of last year, we introduced you to San Angeloan Donnia Robles who was in need of a kidney. Well that miracle has come true for Donnia and her family. This all became reality for her on June 5th after being on the transplant list since September of 2007. A friend from high school became a donor to the organ that Donnia was in need of; Joyce Steen found a donation jar at a convenience store and gave Donnia a phone call that changed her life.



Title: Re: Transplant Brings Two Friends Together (Our own Donnia!)
Post by: donnia on July 21, 2008, 12:08:56 PM
Tee Hee Hee... I knew you would stumble upon this Karol!  :)

Yep, this is me and my donor, Joyce.  What an inspiration she is.  It kinda ticks me off though that they cut some things out.  She said one of the best things about donating (besides saving my life) was to see how her kids reacted to it.  Her girls (aged 16 and 18) look at her totally different now.  BOTH of them have told her that they definately want to be organ donors.  The youngest is mad because she cant have it on her license yet :)  Wow... she  has done a great job with those girls!   :flower;

Oh, and let me just add.. PREDNISONE SUX!  I am soooo not that huge!  Well, I am now....but it is the prednisone!  I wasn't that big before transplant... not even after a weekend of overdoing it LOL   :beer1;

I can start exercising in 3 weeks though..... it will get better  :thumbup;
Title: Re: Transplant Brings Two Friends Together (Our own Donnia!)
Post by: paris on July 21, 2008, 12:20:40 PM
Thanks for sharing!  Donnia, your friend is so incredible.  Glad you are both doing well. It was nice to see and hear you!
Title: Re: Transplant Brings Two Friends Together (Our own Donnia!)
Post by: angela515 on July 21, 2008, 12:33:50 PM
You look amazing!

I too hate prednisone, and have a permanent "moon face", which when anyone looks at me thinks, her face is huge! I hate it, but it's better than not being here.  :bow;

Congrats!!!!  :grouphug;
Title: Re: Transplant Brings Two Friends Together (Our own Donnia!)
Post by: monrein on July 21, 2008, 02:20:58 PM
So nice to see both of you "live and in person", prednisone or no prednisone.  Fantastic.    :flower;
Title: Re: Transplant Brings Two Friends Together (Our own Donnia!)
Post by: donnia on July 21, 2008, 03:23:01 PM
Thank you Thank you Thank you  :flower;  <----- I love that... it is soooo cute!

I felt HUGE uugghghhh!!! oh well, like Angela said.. at least I am here and peeing!!!  (and pee I DO!!!)  I am still having more output than intake!!! 

Yall are soo sweet... thank you all!
Title: Re: Transplant Brings Two Friends Together (Our own Donnia!)
Post by: willieandwinnie on July 21, 2008, 03:32:53 PM
:grouphug; donnia, what a touching story and Joyce is a true angel. Give her a hug for me.
Title: Re: Transplant Brings Two Friends Together (Our own Donnia!)
Post by: donnia on July 21, 2008, 04:12:29 PM
I will definately do that willieandwinnie  :flower;
Title: Re: Transplant Brings Two Friends Together (Our own Donnia!)
Post by: kellyt on July 21, 2008, 05:43:15 PM
Donnia - it's so awsome to hear your voice!  I think you look fabulous!   :flower;    Nice story!

I see my nephrologist on Thursday.  I'm going to talk to him about possibly going to another hospital.
Title: Re: Transplant Brings Two Friends Together (Our own Donnia!)
Post by: donnia on July 23, 2008, 04:25:54 PM
Thanks Kelly!  I feel like a beached whale!  I really wished they wouldn't have cut so much out....    :Kit n Stik;  she said so many positive things about being a live donor  :flower;
Title: Re: Transplant Brings Two Friends Together (Our own Donnia!)
Post by: pelagia on July 23, 2008, 05:40:11 PM
I just had a chance to watch this.  It's wonderful, Donnia.  You both look wonderful. :grouphug; to you and Joyce.   
Title: Re: Transplant Brings Two Friends Together (Our own Donnia!)
Post by: MIbarra on August 22, 2008, 08:32:36 PM
I just saw this too! And I agree, you do look wonderful!
Title: Re: Transplant Brings Two Friends Together (Our own Donnia!)
Post by: Michael57 on February 02, 2009, 02:31:19 PM
Hi:

Yes, prednisone can have some nasty side effects. Many nephrologists now are not using the drug as part of the anti-immune regimen. I, after taking it for almost eight years, began weaning off it under my doctor's supervision and now take none at all.

This route is not for everyone, but perhaps worth exploring with your nephrologist. (Other meds like CellCept can also cause weight gain.)

Good luck
Title: Re: Transplant Brings Two Friends Together (Our own Donnia!)
Post by: pelagia on February 04, 2009, 03:54:02 AM
Hi:

Yes, prednisone can have some nasty side effects. Many nephrologists now are not using the drug as part of the anti-immune regimen. I, after taking it for almost eight years, began weaning off it under my doctor's supervision and now take none at all.

This route is not for everyone, but perhaps worth exploring with your nephrologist. (Other meds like CellCept can also cause weight gain.)

Good luck

Just this morning on another thread I was looking for someone who weaned completely off of prednisone after some time on a standard regime.  I would like to know more about this.  If you have any additional info, or would be willing to pm me the name of your transplant center, I would appreciate it.

P.S. you should go to the new members section and give us an intro if you haven't already.  thanks!