I entered military service in 1969 at the rank of PVT. This was done for a student status, and I remained a PVT for 4 years! Upon graduation through the Walter Reed Army Institute of Nursing and receipt of my BS in Nursing, I was commissioned as a 1LT in the US Army Nurse Corps. Off I went to serve my country at Ft. Polk, LA. Over the next 22 years I served on active and reserve status. My unit was activated for Desert Shield/Desert Storm. I retired from the Army Reserves in 1995 with 26 years of service at the rank of LTC. Being able to care for our soldiers was a privilege and I greatly enhanced my Nursing skills during my military career.
During these years I spent my career in Critical Care Nursing on the civilian side. Both areas really honed my skills and enhanced my love of Nursing. Through my civilian practice, I was personally involved in many donation processes helping families decide to give the ultimate gift of life through donation. I am retired from Nursing after 40 years in Critical Care.
I am widowed now but had many wonderful years of marriage to a fellow soldier. My immediate family has changed to wonderful memories with the loss of my Parents as well as my youngest sister. I am very fortunate to have my middle Sister and her Husband with me along with a beautiful Niece, 2 Outstanding Nephews and 2 Grand Nephews.
My Kidney Disease began in 1978 at the age of 27, and I was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). My Father had been diagnosed and as this disease is hereditary, all his children were tested, and we all were positive. My Father had a Kidney Transplant giving me 8 more years with this special man. My youngest Sister also received a Kidney Transplant which gave her 18 more years with us.
Over the past 2 years, my Kidney function has been steadily decreasing. I find I am the one needing help now, and I find it very difficult to ask. Due to my Blood Type I could be waiting 4-6 years for a deceased donor. That is why I am searching for a living donor. I have not started dialysis but have my fistula placed as it probably will be soon.
Being on dialysis will greatly affect my life. I will need to go to a dialysis center normally 3 times each week. I love to travel and have several destinations still on my bucket list besides visiting my friends and family who are a plane ride away.
I love to garden and decorate for each holiday inside and out. I love volunteering at my local animal shelter especially socializing the cats and kittens, but I am very fatigued now as my Kidneys are failing so some of these activities just don’t get done. With a new Kidney, I can do all these things and more with my wonderful Cat “Little One” by my side.
For medically cleared donors, giving the gift of life through living kidney donation has been proven to be very safe. DOVE will assist all prospective donors throughout the process and make sure they do not incur any out-of-pocket expenses related to the evaluation or surgery. A healthy person can live a normal life with one kidney and save Sally‘s life with the other!
Your support, whether through spreading the word on social media or considering becoming a donor, can make a profound impact on her life and the life of her family!
Please click on the link below if you would like to learn more OR call (551) 233-1611