What should I write?

[cattlekid]

My wonderful friend and massage therapist has offered to publish a blurb about me and my need for a kidney in her weekly e-newsletter to her clients.  I want to take her up on the offer.  What sort of things should I write?  I want to keep it short and basically to get anyone interested to email me so I can give them more information.  What would make you compelled to contact a stranger to discuss potential kidney donation?

 

[talker]

My wonderful friend and massage therapist has offered to publish a blurb about me and my need for a kidney in her weekly e-newsletter to her clients.  I want to take her up on the offer.  What sort of things should I write?  I want to keep it short and basically to get anyone interested to email me so I can give them more information.  What would make you compelled to contact a stranger to discuss potential kidney donation?

 

Well now, cattlekid ,in that time has passed with no response, can only ask 'Did this lead to any type of further action by you'! Sad you got no reply action. If you don't mind, is your request still pending with your friend?
Pondering your post though, reveals to me , how delicate ones wording would need to be written.

The other side of the coin, is that IHD has so many postings, any post can be rapidly absorbed into the maze of many topic listings, and may show up only when using 'certain search terms'.

What type massage , and how often do you get ? Cost? Feels good or actually helps with what is being experienced?

[Charlie B53]

I too had not seen this thread as it was posted and well down off the top long before I joined IHD.

I join Talker in wishing cattlekid has received a transplant, and if not yet, that he is still doing well on Dialysis.

Presenting a request for some to donate an organ is a huge undertaking.  Many people wouldn't even begin to consider it.  Otheris perhaps more receptive.

I would like to see some sort of ad campaign, showing normal people doing normal things, while a sidescreen shows renal patients watching, unable to participate, maybe entering/leaving the Dialysis Clinic, a shot or two of patients during treatment connected to the Dialysis Machine.

Background narrative something like;  Many people do not need Dialysis.  But there are many that do.  Renal failure severely limits a patients activity.  For most cannot continue doing physical activity for they have lost muscle strength, muscle mass, stamina, and are on a continuous downward slide that is barely being held in check with the abuse of Dialysis treatment.   Only a one person  can make a difference in one of these tortured lives.  Are you willing to stand up, to be that one that makes a difference, donates a kidney, and gives one of these patients another chance at living a normal life?


Think something like that could have a chance of getting the message across?   We could re-write it any number of ways, play on peoples emotions, anything to get them to seriously consider donating.

I hope this gives someone an idea and leads to positive action.

[Vt Big Rig]

I think it is confounding that there is so little awareness of the need for organ donation.

Less than six months after I started dialysis my sisters sons fell ill and passed from some type of aneurysm with 24 hours.

In her shock and grief it never occurred to her to harvest his organs. I never said a word as I believe this is intensely personal. A few months later she came to me in tears apologizing for not thinking of me.

I do not hold it against here but it is an opportunity lost. In my mind the issue is that it did not occur to her. Had I done a better job f educating all my family ahead of time ...it might have come to her mind. Obviously to me ....it is always on my mind!

[cattlekid]

Hello all,

I never did follow up on this with my friend.  However, I did receive a kidney transplant from a deceased donor on April 16, 2013 and have been doing very well since.

As far as the massage, I actually stopped going as the cost was quite prohibitive to go on a frequent basis.  She did Shiatsu massage, it was really good to help with the stress of sitting for so many hours a week.  To me, that was one of the most debilitating side effects of being on dialysis....the time spent sitting wreaked havoc on my back, hips and legs and I had to go to the chiropractor quite often to keep in adjustment.

[talker]

Hello all,

I never did follow up on this with my friend.  However, I did receive a kidney transplant from a deceased donor on April 16, 2013 and have been doing very well since.

As far as the massage, I actually stopped going as the cost was quite prohibitive to go on a frequent basis.  She did Shiatsu massage, it was really good to help with the stress of sitting for so many hours a week.  To me, that was one of the most debilitating side effects of being on dialysis....the time spent sitting wreaked havoc on my back, hips and legs and I had to go to the chiropractor quite often to keep in adjustment.

Am pleased that this story has a nice fairy tale like, ending. Will still be some rough spots that will need care. 
Am very familiar with doing Shiatsu massage, and have seen how it has helped numerous folks.

Good that you came in and responded. It fills in the blank spots, at least for me.
Thank you for this update.
 
And if you accept them,      along with prayers for continued wellbeing.

[kickingandscreaming]

I think kidney failure needs a good celebrity who draws attention to the need for donors and the plight of its victims.  It seems that most of the celebs wo do have ESRD (;ole Tracu Morgan) seem to get transplants readily, and keep a low profile about it.  My ex-husband who has very severe Parkinson's has his champion in Michael J. Fox who has a research foundation and is quite public with his Parkinson's.

Most of the ones we have are either dead or transplanted.  Oh well, there's always Bernie Madoff who is rotting away with Stage 4 or 5 in federal prison after perpetrating the most notorious Ponzi scheme and robbing untold numbers of people.  Should he be our poster child?

http://www.ranker.com/list/famous-people-who-died-of-renal-failure/reference?page=2&var=4
http://www.famouspeoplearehuman.com/index.php/famous-people-with-kidney-disease/

[Charlie B53]

I was surprised at the list of famous people that dies as I recognized very many of those listed.  And noticed the years of death that were not really that long ago.  I have to wonder if many of these people had been on Dialysis, and if not, why not?  As I am sure it could have easily extended their time with us.  Although I will have to admit, not everyone elects Dialysis, some believe that when it is our time, it is time to give in and let go of this life.

While I have to respect their wishes, I may not necessarily agree.   But that's a whole different story.

Bless the memory many of these have left behind.