Kidney transplant!

[Phil_F_NM]

I met Adrena in late 2008 at the birthday party of a mutual friend.
In early 2009 she had some health issues then "disappeared" for a while. It turns out she was in the hospital suffering from kidney failure as a symptom of Lupus.

I worked with Adrena back in 2010 to produce Life With Lupus.

When I finished it, I posted a thread here on RFF almost four years ago.

Last year, Adrena was put on the donor list after her Lupus was shown to be in remission for a significant amount of time.

Late on the 1st, she got a call saying she was on standby then earlier tonight (February 2nd) she sent me a text message reading, "I got accepted for the kidney!"

I met her at the hospital not too long after she got the call about getting a kidney donor and stayed until she was wheeled off to the operating room.

Anticipation in the elevator on the way up to the ward.

Posing in her new gown.

Getting blood drawn.

Listening to her anesthiesieologist.

Dealing with a little stress. I can't even imagine.

On the bed that wheels her down to the operating room.

As I write this she's in surgery and I hope everything goes perfectly. This time has been years coming and she's finially here.

More photos to come in the next few days.

Phil Forrest

 

[rhl-oregon]

Good work, Phil, extending your documentary portrayals in Life with Lupus--and in being her witness/supporter at this critical time. I look forward to how this unfolds and hope for the best for her.

 

[RichL]

Wonderful project. Wishing Adrena the best of luck.

 

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Phil, when I first saw the thread title, I thought that YOU were needing a kidney transplant. I'm glad to see that is not the case. Like the guys who posted before me said, your friend's story will make an interesting project. I hope she comes through it ok.

I've had serious health problems all of my life. It is hard to live with bad health, makes everything a challenge. I'm sure that Adrena has gone through a lot already, but the struggles of younger people like her and I who are seriously ill are ignored and misunderstood by most people.

 

[Sparrow]

Give Adrena my best regards .. and I do hope everything goes well for her ... it's no fun being ill

 

[Rodchenko]

Great work - best wishes to Adrena.

 

[Calzone]

Phil,

My best wishes for your friend.

Your post hits close to home as I lost a friend who sucombed to kidney disease. Pat was a great jazz muscian, but living with dialysis really crimped a man who was more alive than many. How a-pro-po that Pat lived so much in the moment.

Also recently I ran into someone that everyone here on the forum knows that donated a kidney to save someone's life.

Also knew a girl who had three kidneys.

Cal

 

[daveleo]

My best wishes and hopes to Adrena.

 

[kbg32]

Good stuff. My brother-in-law is on the waiting list.

All the best to Adrena!

 

[Lawrence Sheperd]

My prayers are with Adrena.

My wife was recently diagnosed with systemic lupus, and had her gall bladder removed due to damage from the condition. Lupus is not well understood and research towards a cure is grossly inadequate. Thanks much, Phil, for shining a personal light on this cruel syndrome.

 

[farlymac]

Here's wishing Adrena a speedy recovery, and thanks for documenting it for her, Phil

PF

 

[dfatty]

all the best to adrena, it was very nice of you to accompany her.

 

[Muggins]

Fingers crossed for her. I'm giving blood in a couple of hours - hopefully to help people like Adrena who need it, I'll think of her.

If you can give blood please do - every drop is needed!

Adrian

 

[raid]

Good luck with it all. I hope that she will be better, and this is a great goal.

 

[Godfrey]

All the best for Adrena! And keep up the excellent documentary work.

G

 

[charjohncarter]

Tell Adrena that John from RFF is pulling for her.

 

[segedi]

Nice photo series
With a name like Adrena, this was bound to be a kidney story (best of luck to her!)
When I read the headline, I thought you were donating due to GAS related issues

 

[Calzone]

Phil,

BTW know that I am a registered "Organ Donor" on my NYS driver's license, and that I am on a bone marrow registry.

Cal

 

[Timmyjoe]

Phil, all the best to you and Adrena. Sending positive energy her way for a speedy recovery.

 

[Thardy]

Good luck to Adrena. I pray that all goes well during the operation and recovery.