About Jenny

Hiya!  Thanks for stopping for an update about my journey.  It’s been a very long time since I posted.

My life was changed in October, 2016 when I received a kidney transplant.  I began to pursue a transplant towards the end of 2014, when I felt strong enough to do so.  It was a tough road.  I learned a ton and encourage others to aggressively pursue a transplant to get off of dialysis.

My overdeveloped sense of humor remains a premium asset and I fall back on it often.  Prior to kidney failure, I might try to filter my humorous anecdotes or quiet my loud laughter.  I’ve spent many years learning to laugh at myself, and I’m proud to say I’ve come close to mastering this art.

I’ve been doing my best to reclaim my life and make up for lost time.  Getting on that plane all alone to go get my kidney instilled a large portion of fearlessness in me.  I love having that, or maybe I always did and it’s simply more prevalent now.  My inner strength has been tested so often and gotten me through the transplant, a right knee replacement, and more.

Most people that didn’t know me before, during, or right after my transplant see me as normal and don’t understand why I don’t let most things upset me.  Going through what I have changed me irrevocably and I’d rather use my time and energy planning my next adventure, twisting into some yoga pose, or capturing an image of a place to make you want to go there.

Hospital Tidbits:  “You will be weighed, you will be measured.”  That plastic thing you put under the toilet seat, to collect and measure your urine output, is called a “hat”.  Yes, you can take it home as a souvenier of your hospital staycation.  People come in all shapes and sizes, but hospital gowns don’t.  You can always get jello, pudding, saltines, graham crackers, tea, juice, and a sandwich if you are allowed to have them.  By the way, throwing up pudding sucks but barf bags now come in a biodegradable form.

Now I truly understand where the term “prick” comes from.  Where else can you stay, that you’ll be watched over when you sleep, receive room service, get help finding things you’ve misplaced, have an inside look at what makes you tick, enjoy an endless supply of pre-warmed blankets, and be escorted out with most of your bill paid by someone else?

I feel blessed to have a chance to share my journey with you.  Thank you for your prayers, love, healing thoughts, and support!

Life is like a rollercoaster ride.  Full of twists & turns.  Hang on!