I like adventures and good adventure stories. I feel I am about to set out on one. I was diagnosed with PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease, a genetic, progressive disease that leads to kidney failure, at this time there is no cure) in my late 20′s. I feared the time when I’d be on a dialysis machine, unable to enjoy my love of life, my work at the library helping others, outdoor activities, backpacking, skiing, climbing mountains and traveling. A brave and wonderful Margie has changed that fate for me. Now at 56, after a year of preparing to be on a 5-7 year transplant waiting list, I can begin to dream again. I feel extremely privileged. I think about the thousands who are on the transplant list and I know it is no simple thing to be handed this precious gift of life. I dedicate this life, these dreams to Margie.
PKD tends to run in families. My father died in his 50′s after 11 years on dialysis. My sister Jackie has it as well. We have the advantage of improved blood pressure medications. Jackie is 6 years younger and continues to do well. The past 2 years have seen the steady decline of kidney function for me. Anemia the past year and a restricted diet. I am lucky to have had no pain or problems from cyst ruptures. I have kept in the best physical shape I can and feel ready for this big adventure. I hope this blog will keep us all connected and help to let you all know how Margie and I are doing.
A note from Loren –
For those who may be interested, I thought I might add a few notes about Gayle. She can be unrelentingly honest, a bit obsessive, piercingly analytical, unflinchingly realistic, disciplined beyond belief, and possessed of a mind boggling memory concerning anything that I have done or said. Ever.
She is also intensely creative, possessed of a sly and sneaky sense of humor, she can be incredibly shy and amazingly bold. She is breathtakingly passionate about life, her friends, the cat, and me. She is insatiably curious, staggeringly competent, and has the most beautiful spirit of anyone that I have ever met. She also has the remarkable ability to express all of these attributes in a single conversation. I am deeply blessed and profoundly grateful that she has agreed to share my life.
Her significant other, Loren
This page has the following sub pages.
gaylechipman
QueCEUs
lisawallender
zenpaths
Oy, god gayle, this brought a tear to my eye. Very nice. Gotta go get some kleenex…..
What a beautiful person…with a lot of living left to do..I’m blessed to be on this journey with you Gayle.
A wonderful inspiring story. I wish you well, and will keep you in my prayers.
You go, girls! Margie – thank you, thank you, thank you for coming forward for our friend, Gayle. You’re all in our thoughts and prayers as the transplant day draws near.
Both you, Gayle, and you, Margie, are truly wonderful and beautiful people that I am blessed to have in my life. Your journey reminds me to be present, to soften my eyes when I look out into the world, and to remember that all is precious. Thank you for letting me walk this path with you.
This is all so sweet! This is the kind of thing that adds so much richness to our lives! Thanks for letting me be included!
What a journey, and what courage you both exhibit. Talk about leading by example!
Gayle, you have always been an inspiration, demonstrating the miracles wrought from expansive kindness and fearless scrutiny and acceptance. It is impossible not to love you!
Everyday I will ask the Great Spirit for benevolence on your behalf. I picture her as a large predatory bird, fierce and watchful in her protective instincts, but unceasingly gentle and indulgent with her charges. She will tuck you under her wing and keep every threat at bay. There is no safer or more comforting place to be in the universe.
Margie, I have never met you, but I thank you for your act of great kindness. Gayle, I am with you in heart.
Gayle, your story touched my heart deeply. You wrote from your heart and soul…..beautiful.
Gayle,
Consider me joined with you in your journey. While I may have met you once, your wonderful spirit precedes your presence and shines as it comes into vision. All energies possible are focused and continue to intensify as the transplant date approaches. And forever beyond as now your life continued provides greater opportunities that this connection, here and now, continues.
Now, about that kidney you’re getting. It’s giving, caring, honest, trustworthy, faithful, without pretension in intellect and spirit, and one of my most loved kidneys in this life.
That kidney shows praise for me and others when it is deserved, and, well, I can only speak for myself here, calls me out when I am avoiding my real feelings, or not willing to accept anything outside my own ego.
She sat for years as a teacher and counselor in our classroom. I always told the new students that “we have two managers in this room: Margie and me.” But, to be honest, she made me better as a person with the kids, with myself, and, while we helped so many kids over the years, it was Margie’s “way” that provided the positive impact beyond what my abilities at the time allowed.
Gayle, Margie is so excited and overjoyed by being able to give you this important gift. This page is about you, but I just feel the need right now to tell you that I love you and also tell you a bit about the vibes that make up the kidney.
So, when we get the chance to sit down and talk, allow me to express gratitude for your life. And I’ll talk a lot more about that very special kidney that I love so much.
Greg,
I have never met you and do not know you, but I have to say what you have written simply blows me away. To look at Gayle’s new kidney in that light is profound and exciting. I was thinking about the process of having the kidney of one person residing in the body of another and what that must feel and look like, trying to immerse myself in that world…
….but until now, I never looked at the energy transplant, the spirit and soul of the person living and beating in that kidney that will now most intimately share that essence of being with another kindred soul on a level that cannot be reached by anyone other than themselves; breathing life with a love so immense there is no earthly measure.
Thank you for your gracious thoughts. Thank you for giving me a more complete picture of my very dear friends.
All the love that is expressed in all these messages is just so touching to me. I know it will carry you, Gayle, Loren and Margie, through the challenging days coming up. It’s a wonderful gift just knowing you, Gayle, and knowing that this love is brought to you because of the person you.
I’ll be away on a trip until the end of April, but I’ll check the blog when I return to see what I can do to help. Meanwhile, you’re in my thoughts and prayers.
Gayle and everyone. Thank you for the gift of this site. I’ll be gathering prayers in preparation for the big day. Love in abundance, generosity beyond compare, the reflected life worth living, all this and more found in each of you. I will stay close and be of whatever support I can be. Sending my love.
Gayle,
My positive thoughts and wishes are with you and your incredibly wonderful friend, Margie. Will be constantly thinking of you as transplant day nears ~ Zena
Dear Gayle,
All these years that I have known you, I didn’t know about the kidney disease until Jan. 1. A thousand thoughts and blessings go with you on this adventure. Margie is truly a wonderful friend, just the kind that you deserve!
Loren, My thoughts and prayers are also with you as you are the major strength and Accompanier for Gayle. May you both have many more hikes and ski trips.
Love, Elaine
My dear Sister:
I pray for you everyday, and know you have a special angel with you at all times, your Step-Mom Jean has her hand on your shoulder to keep you calm as can be. On behalf of all your step-family, we love you and wish you well, I will check on you via this blog daily.
Loren, Nick and I are here for you if you need anything during your stay in San Francisco, give us a call!!
Dear Gayle, You contrinue in my thoughts and prayers, and, more important, your healing inner guide supported by your positive spirit is at work for you. Or, to quote from
Star Wars, “may the force be with you”. Look forward to seeing you on the hiking trails. Perhaps a hike later with all your supporting friends would by a good way to celebrate. With love, Marv
Hi Gayle!
It is so good to see your picture and hear about the doner.
I had heard from Tessa about your need and I am so stoked (as I am sure your are) about your upcoming surgeery. You and Lorren are too absolutely great people
and I’m glad you are going to stay around for a long while.
My positive energy, prayers, and goddess wishes are with
you and I look forward to hearing all about this and your
recovery when we return to SLO in March, 2010.
Victoria (& Will)
Dear Loren and Gayle,
I think it is a very generous and brave thing that Margie is doing, and I think that your future will be brighter when it is accomplished. Thank you Margie for Helping our Gayle in this not so pleasant time. May your wishes of helping Gayle to an extension of life be repayed with success.
I hope that things can get back to normal for both of you. It has been a long and stressful time waiting for it to come to this and now it finally is coming true.
You and Margie will both go through a re-hab together and may it will bond you as friends forever.
My thoughts and prayers will be with you all during your getting well process, and I’m already wanting to hear about your planned trips to the Mountains.
Love Ron
Gayle – I do not know you but I have Kathy in Gardnerville for quite a while and she sent me the e-mail. My prayers are with you as you begin this journey. I see that you have worked in a Library, I am working in a Sunday School Library at Sparks Methodist Church which I enjoy greatly. On Easter Sunday I will say a prayer for you. Group prayers do work miracles. With love, Nancy
Gayle, I just love you. So thrilled for you and many thanks to Margie. You are amazing, I always knew that. My love and thoughts are with you…TESSA
Well, deskmate… time has come to tell you that I will miss our daily chats (until you come back). My thoughts will be with you always. I haven been blessed to know you and treasure our desk chats — laughing and giggling together – really makes my day. Thanks for being a great listener — call me if you need me — you know the number. much love, Joan
Dear Gayle and Loren,
We’ve been on some awesome journeys together (think Germany, France, Switzerland on your honeymoon and England on our 25th!). Now the ultimate journey–to better health. You and Margie are taking this journey, a wonderful step of faith for both of you. Our family thanks Margie for this awesome gift. We know it will be tough for all of you–but we anticipate trips to come. We can’t wait. Gayle and Loren: where next? Scotland? Ireland?
The thoughts and prayers of our congregation in Carson City are with you Gayle, and Loren, and the family of the donor. We lift up thanksgiving and encouragement today on Easter Sunday!
Gayle,
Doug Gates told me about your situation today! I am still in a state of shock!
Melissa Mertogul
Gayle:
Hope you are reading this while starting a great recovery. My thoughts are with you and I look forward to your smiling face being back here at work (ugh!) with the rest of us.
Rest up and feel good.
Wynette Winkler (working on the next floor up in the Kennedy Library at Cal Poly)
Gayle,
Just checking in on you; hoping that everything is going really well. Miss you ‘Posse’ Mate. Hope to see you real soon. Stay out of trouble.
Peace out, friend.
Judy
Hello Adventure Girl…and her most handsome husband!!! All rainbow thoughts continue to be with you today!
Gayle … I have been thinking about you and sending you my prayers, love and strength. I thank God for people like Margie who give so much of themselves for others. She is an amazing example of what humankind should be. Take care, get well and don’t come back to work too soon.
Much love, Elaine (Joan Kennedy’s sis)
Hi Gayle & Loren: I just spoke to Paul (next door) & he tells me you will be arriving home tomorrow!! WOW, I am so amazed and so happy to hear you are doing so well. Again, our thoughts & prayers are with you through this healing process. Also, if you need anything, please just let us know, we will do whatever we can.
God Bless you and keep you
Judi & Van (Gus sends kisses too <3
Hi Gayle,
I was really astonished when you informed me about the transplant. I have known you for almost 11 years and as I think back I only recall you being such a positive and inspiring person to be around. I am so glad that you are blessed and have such sincere friends. Pray for your quick recovery. I will check with Joan Kennedy when you return home and ready for a home cooked indian meal.
With best,
Navjit
Hey Gayle & Loren.
I hope you’re doing well. We’ve been thinking of you a lot. Please call if you need anything & you see either of our cars @ home.
Warmest thoughts,
Kate & Paul
Gayle –
I’m remembering that Sierra Nevada backpack trip with Tessa where I first met you years ago. Then I come quickly back to the present, and wish you the very best. I’m reading all these kind words, admiring Margie’s generosity, and witnessing Loren’s articulate love and devotion. It inspires me. May you heal well and quickly.
Best-
Melissa