In November two significant things are happening. I turn 50, and it is the fifth anniversary of my kidney transplant. I am acknowledging these special events by writing my story for the DonateLife Book of Life.At 33 I was unexpectedly diagnosed with renal disease. I was a working woman, a wife and a mother of two young children. What started with fluid on my legs ended with a kidney biopsy, a diagnosis of renal disease and an uncertain future. My treatment was pills, chemotherapy and attitude, as I was too busy to be dealing with renal disease.I went into remission and when the disease would flare up, my specialist would fight with more chemo and more drugs. We travelled this path for 12 years knowing that a transplant would be our final destination.People knew I had kidney disease and would amaze me with offers of a kidney when I needed one. Family, friends, work colleagues - many very generous offers.Of all the people who had offered a kidney, I felt one was in the right space, had come from the right place and I knew would probably do it if at all possible. So I rang my friend and asked her if she was serious with her offer - she said, absolutely.
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