FRIEND DONATES KIDNEY TO MOM OF TWINS

AS WE HAVE STATED BEFORE ON THE BLOG, THE KIDNEY GROUP ARE STRONG PROPONENTS OF TRANSPLANT AND THE MAJORITY OF THE PATIENTS IN OUR WONDERFUL PERITONEAL DIALYSIS CLINIC AT THE FORT LAUDERDALE ARTIFICIAL KIDNEY CENTER ARE EVENTUALLY TRANSPLANTED. WE THEREFORE SEE A LOT OF PATIENTS WHO ARE SUCCESSFULLY TRANSPLANTED AND ONCE THROUGH THE INITIAL ACUTE PHASE WE WILL NEED TO SEE THEM ONLY PERIODICALLY. BUT SOME OF THEM YOU JUST DON'T FORGET ABOUT. ONE SUCH PATIENT IS CHERYL DAVIS. CHERYL GREW UP IN FORT LAUDERDALE AND GRADUATED FROM ST. THOMAS AQUINAS HIGH SCHOOL. CHERYL HAD BEEN ON PERITONEAL DIALYSIS AND WAS A FAVORITE PATIENT-ALWAYS UPBEAT, OPTIMISTIC AND COMPLIANT.(SHE INVARIABLY BROUGHT HOMEMADE BAKED GOODS TO CLINIC SO THE DOCTORS WERE ALWAYS HOPING TO SEE HER AND HER BROWNIES). DURING THE TIME WAITING FOR A TRANSPLANT WHILE ON PD SHE ADOPTED IDENTICAL TWIN NEWBORN INFANTS. WE DID NOT KNOW HOW SHE COULD MANAGE HOME DIALYSIS, WAITING FOR A TRANSPLANT AND TWIN SONS-BUT SHE DID AND MADE IT LOOK EASY. THROUGH THE HELP OF A CLOSE KNIT FAMILY THAT INCLUDED HER HUSBAND STACEY AND HER MOM, CHERYL NEVER FAILED TO SHOW UP TO CLINIC- ORGANIZED,HAPPY, PERFECTLY GROOMED,.....TWINS AND THEIR MULTIPLE PARAPHERNALIA IN TOW ..NOT TO MENTION THE AFOREMENTIONED BROWNIES. I NEVER GOT INTO MY CAR ONCE AFTER SEEING HER AT CLINIC THAT I DID NOT THINK WHAT AN AMAZING SPIRIT SHE HAS. IT'S KIND OF HUMBLING.

WHEN THE TWINS WERE A COUPLE OF YEARS OLD( HANDSOME AND VERY ACTIVE)CHERYL RECEIVED A KIDNEY FROM A LONG TIME FRIEND, MICHELE. WHAT FOLLOWS IN THE STORY IN CHERYL'S OWN WORDS AND I REALLY COULD NOT HAVE SAID IT AS POIGNANTLY.

Here is a little background. My husband (Stacy) and I adopted the boys when they were four weeks old. The boys were born on August 27, 2002. We did not originally expect twins. When we learned of the boys birth date, we realized it was our fate to have them in our lives. They were born at 29 weeks and have the same birthday as their father and grandfather. Our plans were to have 2 kids. It was to our great surprise to have it happen at the same time. We adopted the boys after waiting 2 years. I was currently on dialysis and was waiting for a transplant. I could not have done it without the wonderful support of my husband and family. I have a tremendous support system. When the boys were 2 years old, I received a transplant in Tampa from my girlfriend, Michele Bergan. She made the unselfish, brave decision to help me after being on dialysis for 2 years. My sons always ask why they could not be in my belly. I explain that I have kidney problems and it would not be healthy for me. I also explain to them that God always intended for me to be their mommy. I did not need to hold them in my belly to be their mommy. Logan told me that he wishes that he could be in my belly to fix my kidneys so I would be healthy and Wyatt wants to understand everything about my kidneys and the reason why they do not function.

THE KIDNEY GROUP ADMIRES CHERYL DAVIS.