Little did I know that when I woke up that morning, it would be one of the worst days of my life. Jodi called me from college and told me she was sick, so I took her to the doctor. I thought the doctor would prescribe something that would solve the problem. I was never so wrong. Our family doctor sent us to a Kidney specialist in Youngstown, OH. He is a nephrologist named Dr. Roberto Bacani. This doctor has saved my daughter's life many times over. he has commonsense, intelligence and a strong bond with Jodi that has lasted all these years. When Jodi is ill I have complete faith in any decision he makes for her. When Jodi first got sick, she was in the hospital for almost 3 months. I had 3 other children to worry about, and I had to work and run a house. Everything is in total turmoil and you run on fear for your child's life. I had a wonderful, supportive family and friends especially Mike, Don and Tina. Many nights they drove me to the hospital. It was 25 miles one way and they didn't want me to go alone. I wish I had kept a daily journal because you tend to forget the times you don't want to remember.
Like sitting in a surgery waiting room for hours, praying the doctor will solve all your problems and knowing he won't. Or the time spent in a car going to and from the hospital using your time to cry because you hated leaving someone you love alone and scared. How about the times I lay awake at night listening for her to call or seeing her get up early to drive to Slippery Rock College which is 25 miles one way in the snow and ice with legs so swollen she could hardly walk. She wanted her teaching degree and she got it.
I told her that she was my hero once, and she was surprised. But, I also have another hero, and that is my youngest daughter, Tina. She gave Jodi her kidney. She is such an unselfish person. It broke my heart to see her go under surgery, and know that she has only one kidney now. Tina is doing fine.
Jodi has come a long way, and matured into a beautiful person who is a lover of life. She lives alone and takes care of herself and her dog "Puddy". Although she is on the machine, she is healthier than I have ever seen her. I could go on forever, but I'm done remembering. I'm a worrier. It's a lousy job, but someone has to do it.
Throughout the years, I've tried many times to get off dialysis. The first time was in 1985. It was the day after Thanksgiving when many holiday travelers lose their lives. Sadly, the kidney didn't work. About 2 years later I was called for a second transplant. Again the kidney did not work. Later in 1989, I went on a form of home dialysis, but this was not a good choice for me. I returned to hemodialysis 9 months later. By this time, St. Elizabeth's transplant program was up and running. So I got another kidney. Unfortunately, it didn't work out.
