"I have FSGS disease, which is Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis. My kidneys gradually lost function over several years. I started dialysis in March of 2013. Doing the treatments at home was OK. When I had to go to the clinic, that wasn't good. They always had problems with my IVs, and my arms got bruised up. All I wanted to do was eat and lay down. I would just be drained.
"I gradually got worse the past few months prior to my transplant. I wasn't able to walk more than 100 yards at a time, sometimes much less than that. I felt drained, but at the same time I couldn't sleep well at night. I stayed nauseated all the time and had really dry skin.
"Our family has a lot of kidney problems. My sister-in-law recently was transplanted here at UAB. I have a brother-in-law who is on dialysis. My brother had a kidney transplant in Kansas City in May of 2014. Our family started doing fundraisers for the National Kidney Foundation just to help any way we could. We've held car washes, raffle tickets and other giveaways. This has hit our family hard, but we've got a strong group, and we came together and said for all the NKF has done for us, we could try to do a little something for them.
"And, really, when people find out about something like this, they are really willing to help.
"In 2012, I was placed on the donor's list. I came to UAB and got evaluated. When I came back in November of 2014, they told me about the chain and I was able to go pretty quickly. They told me they thought they had a donor for me Nov. 4, and I had surgery Dec. 18.
"I was very shocked. It usually takes anywhere from six to seven years to get a kidney. I really think this chain is why they called me back in so quickly; they were able to move my timetable up. It was an early Christmas present for me.
"The first person who stepped forward and donated to start this chain, I know they had to be heaven sent. A lot of people don't think about donating organs. I feel if I wasn't in the situation I was in, I believe I would donate to help somebody else. It's one of the most selfless things someone can do. You've got to have God in your life to want to do that for someone else, and for a total stranger at that.
"I’m excited about my future. I want to spend more time with my grandkids, do my church activities and do more charity work. Our quest doesn't stop when we leave. We want to do everything we can to raise awareness and help others."