Living The Gift One Day At A Time

Central Park

Since the first anniversary of Ken's kidney transplant on September 10, we have been very busy.  Ken is feeling good and enjoying the "normal" routines of life again.   He still has to get his blood work tested every two weeks.  Waiting for results on those Tuesdays is still difficult but Ken's levels in his kidney seem to be getting better.  As one doctor told us the levels can fluctuate like blood pressure during the course of the day.  His kidney functioning is better but there is still a problem with protein spillage.  Ken and I have adopted the philosophy "to live each day that God blesses us with."

Before Ken's kidney started failing, he and our son Greg would choose an out of town destination to attend a Saints' game.  This year they decided to start the tradition again and picked New York for the Jets game.  Ken had never been to New York and I had been when I was 15 years old.  Greg and his wife Camille were the planners and tour guides.  We saw a Broadway show and a comedy club show, walked in Central Park, rode the subway three times, walked through Little Italy, China Town, and Greenwich Village. We went to the Empire State Building, Wall Street, Times Square and the 9/11 Memorial.  One day Ken and I walked 6.5 miles around the streets of New York.  He was doing things he could never have done last year.  We are living "the gifts that God blesses us with each day."

Addie, Sophie, Jillie

Our grandchildren fill our lives with joy each and every day.  We missed so many important events in their lives last year but this year is totally different.  We have already attended their plays at school and will be going to Grandparents' Day soon.  We can have our "slumber parties" again - even though there is not much slumbering on those nights :)  And the best of all is the time together playing games, singing silly songs, dance parties (now that is a sight to behold), reading stories, making up stories and snuggling close watching movies. You don't realize how much you miss these everyday happenings until they are taken away.  We are enjoying "the gifts that God blesses us with each day."

Pa and Gus

Kelly, Alex and Gus, our grandson, all live out of town.  Ken and I could not travel at all last year.  It was so hard not seeing them more often.  Now Ken is able to travel so we can visit and they can come visit us too.  Ken "Pa" is the "baby whisperer."  When our children were babies, he would sway and bounce simultaneously.  This magical move would calm them down and put them to sleep.  He still has that gift and now has the chance to use it on Gus.  We are enjoying "the gifts that God blesses us with each day."

Linda and Frank

A few weeks ago we got together with our "old" friends.  I met these three "girls" in Kindergarten and we have been friends since and have been through so much together over the years.  We don't get to see each other very often but when it happens it is like we were never apart.  Our husbands have all been through some difficult times with physical ailments.  I think of them as the "four miracles."  I think of Denise, Charlotte, and Linda as the sisters I never had.  We had such a good time and they are "our gifts that God blesses us with each day."                                                     

Rick and Charlotte

Denise and Tom

In two weeks Ken and I will be walking in our 3rd Kidney Walk.  It is on Sunday, November 24th at Audubon Park, Shelter #10.  The walk begins at 9:30 but check in starts at 8:00.  We would love you to come walk with us.  We will be in gray shirts this year with A Kidney For Ken on the front and Living The Gift One Day At A Time on the back. We are walking to encourage others to become  organ donors and to honor organ donors like our son-in-law,  Alex.  You can make a donation or join  our team, Renal Roigs, by clicking on  www.kidneywalk.org  Choose the state first.  Click on the Walk on November 24 next.  You can join our team and or make a donation by selecting the buttons at the top of the page and following the directions.

We thank all of you for the prayers, love and support you have given us.  We ask you to continue to pray for Ken and other transplant recipients.  Pray that more people will make the choice to become a donor and save a life.

Until next time may the Lord carry us on our journey,
Pat