Third Times A Charm!

What is your city / state and country of residence?

Frazeysburg, Ohio USA

How are you touched by transplantation?

I am a Recipient

If you are a recipient, what type of transplant did you receive?

Kidney

Recipients: In this space, feel free to list those you are grateful to for receiving the Gift of LIfe:

I am extremely grateful to each of my living donors; my dad Larry (July 16,1993), my husband Thomas (April 9,1996) and my baby borther Michael (March 4,2003).

Also, to all my family and friends who have stood by me through so much.

Last but not least, God for giving me the strength to fight when I was ready to give up. This is why I live by Philippians 4:13!

If you are a recipient, what type of donor did you receive your Gift of Life from?

Living Donor

What is your principal transplant med(s)?

Prograf and Celcept

What is your hospital and, or doctor's name, city / state and country?

March 4, 2003 University of Cleveland (Case Western) in Cleveland, Ohio and Dr. Schulak was my surgeon.

July 16, 1993 and April 9, 1996 Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio and Dr. Davis did both.

What do you do for a living?

I only work part-time, but I am a Tastefully Simple Consultant and I work at the Wal-mart Bakery!

About Me: Please use this space to tell the community about yourself and your unique experience with transplantation:

My name is Victoria "Vickie" Beckley and I was one of the more than 52,000 people in the United States waiting for a kidney transplant. I had been fighting a kidney disease called Reflux Nephropathy all my life. I spent much of my life in and out of hospitals while the doctors did the best they could to control my disease. However, in March of 1993 my family and I were given the news that I would either need to have a kidney transplant or I would have to start dialysis.

Not wanting me to have to go on dialysis both of my parents asked to be tested with the hope that one could give me a kidney. It was decided that my dad would be the better candidate for me due to the fact that my mom has diabetes on her side of the family. My dad was tested and it was determined that he was a good match. My dad and I went into the hospital on the morning of July 16, 1993 and went through the kidney transplant surgery. Following the transplant, I had to take several medications to help prevent rejection and go for lab work three times a week so that they could watch for signs of rejection. Everything was going well until the end of 1993 when I began getting infections in my dad's kidney. It was discovered that the infection was coming down from my native kidneys into my new kidney. Doctors decided to remove my native kidneys in December 1994 so that the infection would no longer spread. Unfortunately, by this time, I had suffered too much damage in my dad's kidney and was again faced with the decision of another transplant or dialysis. My mom once again wanted to be tested, but she was not a good donor candidate, which was extremely hard on her.

I had met my husband at a church camp on July 30, 1991 and we were married on July 30, 1994. He was interested in donating one of his kidneys and the testing revealed that he was a match. This was unusual and a pleasant surprise - he was definitely a Godsend. On April 9, 1996 my husband, Tom, and I went into the hospital for my second transplant. Right after surgery things seemed to be going great, but that evening my new kidney clotted and I started to fill up with fluid. I was rushed into emergency surgery and had three surgeries in a 72 hour time period to try and save the kidney my husband had donated to me. I woke up in the ICU to the news that they had to remove the kidney. For the third time, I was faced with the need for a transplant or dialysis. Since there was no one willing, at that time, to be a living donor, I was put on the waiting list for a kidney and began dialysis on October 24, 1996. I remained on dialysis until March 4, 2003 - 6 1/2 years, waiting for my third kidney transplant. While I was grateful for dialysis because it kept me alive I couldn't wait for the day when I no longer had to depend on a machine to keep my body functioning properly.

March 4, 2003 is a date that changed my life; as this is when I received my third kidney transplant. This time my transplant was from my younger brother, Michael. His decision to donate one of his kidneys to me has truly given me a new lease on life and I am looking forward to living every day to the fullest.

Most people are lucky to have one hero in their life. I am so blessed because I have three heroes that are in my life. Each has changed my life and every day I look forward to being able to live life to the fullest with all three of my special men!

Please help us reach other members by telling us how you found Transplant Cafe:

Miss Fishie, thanks girl!

What is your relationship status?

Married

Entertainment: What is Your Favorite Type of Music, Bands, Movies, Art, Books, etc.?

I love country music, funny and romantic movies, scrapbooking is art to me and I love to read books on Organ Donation stories.

What is Your Favorite Quote(s)?

Faith makes things possible, not easy!

My "MySpace" Page (copy and paste your profile page URL):

http://www.myspace.com/transplantssavelives

My Facebook Page (copy and paste your profile page URL):

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1132195692