Hey - here's my story - A test of faith in strangers

[rsudock]

Hi 15,
That's what Jenna said, she felt like going to dialysis was stopping her from doing things she really wanted to do. She was 18 when she started. It's obviously not the same for everyone. Some people amaze me with their energy and activity level. That was not the case with Jenna. She was very fatigued and often her low fluid level after dialysis (they often took too much off as she still urinated and was not over) well, it knocked her out for the rest of the night.
Take care,
Karol

I think when you are a young person it is hard to think, "hey dialysis is keeping me alive and I should be thankful!" it is hard being on dialysis and watching your friends party and have fun, while you are glued to a machine 3 days a week. Many times you feel like you are missing out on being a kid and experiencing life's milestones....I get how Jenna feels...this disease has change my life perspective and priorities that I feel out of touch with my friends now...

Okarol this is such a touching story. I have always thought that parents should do whatever it takes for their children...it makes me very sad for myself because my mother wasn't willing to do whatever it takes...I'm not sure if I will ever forgive her...

[okarol]

Hi 15,
That's what Jenna said, she felt like going to dialysis was stopping her from doing things she really wanted to do. She was 18 when she started. It's obviously not the same for everyone. Some people amaze me with their energy and activity level. That was not the case with Jenna. She was very fatigued and often her low fluid level after dialysis (they often took too much off as she still urinated and was not over) well, it knocked her out for the rest of the night.
Take care,
Karol

I think when you are a young person it is hard to think, "hey dialysis is keeping me alive and I should be thankful!" it is hard being on dialysis and watching your friends party and have fun, while you are glued to a machine 3 days a week. Many times you feel like you are missing out on being a kid and experiencing life's milestones....I get how Jenna feels...this disease has change my life perspective and priorities that I feel out of touch with my friends now...

Okarol this is such a touching story. I have always thought that parents should do whatever it takes for their children...it makes me very sad for myself because my mother wasn't willing to do whatever it takes...I'm not sure if I will ever forgive her...

Sorry to hear that you didn't get the support you needed from your mom. I had a similar mom, she just did not put her kids first. I came to terms with that when I stopped expecting anything from her. We have a relationship now, but it's because I decided to make it work. I'll bet Jenna would say I am a pain in the ass, lol, always searching for answers, nagging her, pushing her. I guess it's never perfect!

[okarol]

As a follow up from this news article, Jenna received a guestbook message on her caringbridge page from a woman (I am leaving off her last name; and also altering Steven's last name, although it is in the article.)  We don't know her, but she felt compelled to write, 4 years after the story was published. I am sad to hear about the recipient. We just never know what the future will bring.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2011 12:58 PM, CST
Hi Jenna. So glad you found a sincere person to give you life again...that's amazing!  I did want you and your mother to know that I know Steven C****.  He did donate his kidney to a woman in Utah, who passed away in a car accident two years later...very sad.  But, I know how hard it must have been for your mom to put so much faith and trust in a total stranger, in regards to donating his kidney. I read your her article with interest, because the words he used in emails to your mom were so familiar to me!  Steve is a borderline sociopath who has a need to feel as if he is "rescuing" people from severe physical or emotional distress.  He wants to feel as if he is their 'savior', and I will say that is a genuine feeling he has.  However, he can never follow through.  The immediate high he gets from those he is supposedly 'helping' is soon changed to panic and fear that he has to get out of the situation.  He does this by completely cutting off the individual he is promising to help.  Your story, thank goodness, ended up wonderfully in spite of Steve, which I am so thankful for.  I remember when he was going through this, how appalled I was that he had done this to you, but he assured me that your mom had read too much into their conversations and he was merely exploring his options.  It didn't sit right then with me and I almost contacted you at that point, but didn't.  I've known Steve for 10 years, and you are not the only people he has hurt or disappointed.  I am so sorry he put you t hrough that, but am so happy that you found a successful donor!  Best wishes to you and your family, Jean

[Darthvadar]

Oh Dear!...

How very sad from every point of view...

May Steve get the help he SO obviously needs....

Love to Jenna...

Darth...

[monrein]

Wow, things so often aren't as they seem to be.  It was good of her to let you know this.

[Rerun]

WOW, how would you know...... 

[okarol]

This is the woman mentioned in the LATimes news article, who got a transplant in Salt Lake City. Sad ending to her story.

Obituary
Wendy Louise McDonald
(November 26, 1971 - November 10, 2007)

Our beloved wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend, age 35, passed away from an automobile accident on November 10, 2007. She was born in Murray, Utah on November 26, 1971 to Norman L and Nancy Adamson Forbush. She married her high school sweetheart Jason Allen McDonald on October 13, 1990 in New Harmony, Utah. The marriage was solemnized November 29, 1991 in the St. George Temple. Wendy graduated from Cedar City High School in 1990. She graduated in May 2007 from SUU receiving high honors from both schools. Wendy taught 1st grade at Enoch Elementary. She loved and adored her 25 children and the staff with all her heart. Wendy was an active member of the Enoch Homestead 2nd LDS Ward serving in Relief Society , Young Women’s, and cub scouts organizations. Wendy had a long 6 year battle with kidney failure and dialysis until a good Samaritan named Steve Crump of Salt Lake City, Utah donated a kidney. Wendy and her family would like to give thanks and prayers to the Crump family. Through all her trials she never complained and was always busy doing service for others. She is survived by her loving husband Jason, and their four children...

http://boards.ancestry.com/topics.obits/102865/mb.ashx