Very few people know about how my kidneys shut down. I was born with abnormal kidneys’ one being small in size and nonfunctional, the other one was diseased. When I was about 18 years of age, I was diagnosed with kidney disease. I didn’t feel any differently, so I didn’t put much importance on it. At that time I was in school and working, I didn’t take the proper care to sustain my kidneys or health, being young and dumb and the feeling of being invincible didn’t help either. By the time I turned 25 years of age I started to notice a Big change in my health. I felt myself starting to slow down, I didn’t care about things I should of anymore, I was very moody and lazy, and I just didn’t feel like myself anymore.
In July 2005, we came back from our Disneyland 50th celebration vacation. I was with Frankie & Amy as we frequently go to Disneyland.
I came back sick with what I thought was only a common cold. I was down for almost a month fighting this cold and just couldn’t seem to get better. I was losing weight, couldn’t eat much, I was throwing up. I felt as if I was about half dead. My mom kept telling me to go to the doctor, but I wouldn’t. My mother couldn’t handle seeing me sick anymore; she took me to the ER and we waited the whole day in the waiting room before being seen that evening. It was then when we were told that my kidneys had completely shut down/ renal failure. At that time, I was given EMERGENCY DIALYSIS! I was told that if I had gone another day without receiving dialysis I would have died. I was in the hospital for three weeks. It was at that time I felt like my life had come to a complete halt! I fell into a deep depression for about a year and a half.
I was going to dialysis 3 times a week for 4 hours a day, coming home sick, sleepy, and out of it. If I had one good day of the week where I felt alive I was lucky. It was a completely different lifestyle for me. I had to accept that this is the way my life had to be.
There are so many people that kept me going and stood by me, as I faced this hardship in my life and one is my mother. Not only is she my backbone, my best friend, she is my ROCK.
From coming with me to every doctor’s appointment, taking me to the hospital, and staying by my side through this life changing experience.
It hasn’t been easy for her either to see all of this happening to me.
Another person who has stood by me is my closest friend Frankie. He is my best friend, my buddy, and my hero. He is my gift to a second chance at life. As soon as he found out that my kidneys shutdown, he didn’t think twice about giving up one of his kidneys for me. He gathered so much information on kidney transplants and researched on what he needed to do to become a candidate for donating a kidney. He did all this groundwork and research then brought it to us. He is the one, who got us to where we are today! For that I am forever grateful, I owe him everything.
When I met Frankie, he was the tallest, goofiest person I had ever met in my life.
In 1997, my junior year in Tracy high school, I auditioned for “West Side Story” and that is where Frank Celentano and I met. He was so carefree and was totally himself. Frankie has always been a positive and ambitious person trying to research and finding a way to do anything he wants.
Ever since we met we have been the greatest of friends. There is never a boring moment when we’re together. You name it and we’ve done it! You’re always safe when you’re with him, no matter what you do. He can make something so dull into something “so magical…so mystical.” He was always a welcomed person in our household as if he was a part of the family. Right down eating all my chips and snacks, to raiding the refrigerator!
This will be our 11th year of friendship and now because of Frankie’s great deed, we can have 11 thousand more years, thanks to his gift to me. I hope everyone can find their Frankie in life, Thank God I did!
Derek Lee Lubag
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Thank You For Being a Friend
I take it that you are visiting our blog because you're concerned about Derek and me. I really appreciate how many people have been complimenting me on the choice I have made to donate, I understand why some are worried. Don't fret, I am not that nervous to tell you the truth. I have confidence in the surgeon's abilities; the hospital, UCSF, has the best and most successful kidney transplant program in the world. I should also say that statistically those who donate a kidney actually live longer than the average person with 2 kidneys. I found that interesting too! I am sure it has to do with the fact that the remaining kidney grows about 40% bigger, and that extensive testing undergone pre-surgery would detect any disease, cancer, or defect.
The fact that Derek is receiving a kidney from a living donor rather than a cadaverous kidney will lessen the likelihood of rejection and the kidney will last 20 years or so rather then 10. Although there is always a chance of rejection or some other surgery complication, the odds are in our favor that these things will not happen.
Everyone's kindness, support and concern has helped me feel confident in my choice. I thank everyone from the bottom of my heart.
Take Care,
Frankie
Monday, January 28, 2008
Where it all began...
I remember it all very well looking back it was the spring of ’97. The 2 high schools of Tracy California joined forces to produce West Side Story. My 1st ever encounter with Derek Lee Lubag was watching him audition for a role by singing “A Whole New World”. He did all right, a little pitchy and sung through the nose, good enough for a lead as Bernardo. At the time I had no idea how much that show would affect my life nor did I know that this kid from another school would quickly become a lifelong friend. West Side Story was a success and the best part was the bonds made with others involved, who Derek and I are still friends with to this day. I guess theater magic doesn’t just affect the audience.
There have been adventures. Many crazy, silly, stupid, and utterly fantastic adventures. Frankie and Derek adventures include but are not limited to: commuting to Delta College together, skipping school to watch All My Children, waiting for Father Frank to pick us up at a police station in San Francisco when Derek’s 2 day old car was stolen, working together at Structure, the un-countable last minute trips to Disneyland where we would pretend to be up and coming recording artists while in line for Pirates of the Caribbean, oh and lets not forget Derek’s freak-out in Mexico, movies, musicals, parties, and all the abandoned caves, houses, theaters, schools and other forbidden places we would break into without even thinking twice about it. Through all this our friendship turned into a brotherhood where both of our parents considered us a member of their family. An honor we both cherish to this day.
Much has happened since those West Side Story days. Derek and I along with friends like Amy and Ryan have so many memories. We have created these bonds, so deep and intertwined; bonds that only develop from growing up together, sharing our dreams together, laughing together and overcoming adversity together. Derek did not have to look any further then is friend when he needed a kidney. My reason for helping is simple: I want the memories and the silly adventures to continue. I want my friend to be healthy again. What better way to show the impact Derek has had in my life then doing something for him that will symbolize our very real connection?
-Frankie
Fundraising Dinner
The Gift of a New Beginning
With this immeasurable gift and kindness of heart there will be substantial medical expenses and recovery costs for these two special people. In an effort to offset these costs and create peace of mind for both young men as they recover we are coordinating a fundraising dinner to help make this possible.
Where:
Grantline Banquet Room
When: Sunday, February 24, 2008
Cost: $25.00 per person (200 Available)
For Tickets contact Nancy 209.969.2839 or Amy 209.814.7475
Social: 4:00 PM
Dinner: 5:00 PM
Raffles, Music, Dancing: 7:00PM – 10:00PM
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