April 1995 was a pivotal time in our lives. On April 6th that year, we found out from David’s surgeon that he would not be able to return to work after a shoulder replacement. We were floored when the doctor looked at us and said, “Son, you’ll never work again.” What do we do now, we asked. He told us to go to the Social Security office the next day to file for disability social security. So we did.
The following week, David’s mother was admitted to the hospital. Early in the morning on April 15th (Easter Sunday), she passed away. We were devastated.
A week later, I took a pregnancy test and learned I was pregnant with our third child. Mind you, our girls were 8 and 10 at the time, and we really didn’t think we’d have more children. It was a miracle. Our son (Kenny) was born in December that year. We were blessed beyond measure to have these three wonderful, incredible, beautiful, amazing children.
I returned to work when Kenny was six weeks old. I literally handed that tiny baby to David. Those two spent every minute of the day together. When Kenny started school, it was David who picked him up every day. It was David who transported him to ball practice (for whatever sport he was playing at that time). It was David who raised him. The terrific young man Kenny is today is due in large part to David’s influence.
We’ve experienced many blessings through the years, but we’ve had some struggles as well. The most significant challenge has always been David’s health. After battling Rheumatoid Arthritis for more than 30 years, taking more medications than anyone should have to take to manage his pain, and undergoing multiple joint replacement surgeries, his kidneys failed.
David has been on the kidney transplant list for two and a half years. Early this year, after another surgery to replace his right knee, he was forced to start dialysis. Since then, he’s had to undergo dialysis three times a week - every Monday, Wednesday and Friday evening from 4:30 to 8:30. Anyone who has had to undergo dialysis or watch a loved one go through it knows the toll it takes. David absolutely loathes it.
Remember those blessings I talked about - those three wonderful, incredible, beautiful, amazing children we brought into this world? Well, they’re all adults now. When their Dad started dialysis, they decided there was no way they could ask someone else to do something they might be able to do - donate a kidney. They started the process (without their Dad knowing), and we learned that Kenny was a match. David found out - quite by accident - on Weds., July 11th. We held a family meeting the following night to discuss timing. Lindsey and Aaron’s wedding was scheduled for Sept. 15th, and we couldn’t bear the thought that one or the other or both of them might have to miss their big day as a result of the surgery. Nor did we think it would be a good idea for David to be around 300 people shortly after a transplant. We elected to wait until after the wedding, which brings us to today.
Tomorrow is Tuesday, September 18, 2018, and Kenny - our miracle baby - will perform a miracle of his own. He will donate a kidney to his Dad at University of Kentucky AB Chandler Hospital. We cannot begin to describe how proud we are of him and how happy we are that David’s nightmare is coming to an end. Kenny’s kidney - we’re naming it Bill after David’s lifelong friend who was Kenny’s godfather - will give David the gift of time. He’ll no longer have to endure dialysis three times a week, which means he’ll have quality of life and more time with all of us.
We’re thankful for the wide circle of family members and friends who are praying for us. We feel your loving embrace through the warm thoughts, prayers, good vibes and positive mojo you’re sending our way.
We’ll do our best to keep you updated throughout the process.
Patients and caregivers love hearing from you; add a comment to show your support.
Help David And Kenny Stay Connected to Family and Friends
A $25 donation to CaringBridge powers a site like David And Kenny's for two weeks. Will you make a gift to help ensure that this site stays online for them and for you?
