It all began...

It all began in 2oo9, while I was in Atlanta at school. I got that phone call, you know the one, from my cousin. Telling me that someone very dear to me was having trouble with his Kidneys. In fact, it was serious as in they were both failing and he will have to go on dialysis. Of course my first question was, so who's giving him a Kidney? My next response was put me on the list. With no hesitation. I knew in an instant that it was the right thing to do and I wanted to do it.

I waited for the actual phone call from David with all the details. He explained the entire scenario and how he came to the place he is now. I was appalled because it could have been prevented, however due to the negligence of his doctor he now needs a kidney. Once again I volunteered my kidney with no hesitation. It was tricky however because I was in Altanta, he was in New York. How would we get this done? Long story short, I eventually flew up to NY to be tested to see if I was a match.

After being poked and prodded and questioned as though it was a matter of national security I was given the ok, there was a catch. I had to stop smoking and lose 20 lbs. Huh?

As most people know trying to do that at the same time is quite the challenge. Most people gain weight when they stop smoking and smoke more when they are trying to lose weight. I knew there was a very small chance I would sucessfully conquer both at the same time. So I decided the weight would come first. What I have failed to mention is that I was in school full time for Interior Design, in a very intense program and it was my last year. On top of which I was about to be evicted, and I had no job, no car and was getting by on a wing and a prayer with my daughter and my Yorkie.

How in the hell was I going to get all of this done? I was panicking. I tried to eat right but when all you can muster up is a snickers bar to get you through a day of classes, projects, tests, deadlines and stress...well then that's it. I really did try to lose the weight but for the life of me it was as if my body was holding on to every ounce of fat to keep me going. Here is where I learned that there are some forms of dieting that do not work...starvation being one of them. Oh, and another lesson...one cannot live on coffee alone!

I barely made it through the last year of school but I did and I graduated with honors and then began my journey back home to New York City. 

August 18th 2010....I flew home with my daughter and my Yorkie.