With Flying Colors

I have always done well on tests - partly because I am just a good test taker, and partly because I am driven to succeed. I was one of those kids who asked to take a make-up test if I got a B-. Monday, I took a test for which I was totally unable to prepare. I sat in my chair during the test wishing I had studied more or prepared a bribe for the "teacher" or something that would assure me a passing score. All week, the question of my score sat in the back of my mind, quietly biding its time. Had I passed? Had I even come close? How was I going to handle a failure?

This morning the waiting came to an end when the transplant coordinator called me at about 8:30. As we exchanged pleasantries my brain was fidgeting like a hyperactive 4th grader, dancing around and tugging at our sleeves. She first re-affirmed that we were a blood type match. Then, instead of the "But..." I was so afraid I would hear she said, "And when we did the crossmatch there was no reaction between your blood and hers." No reaction. My heart skipped a beat as I double checked my brain files for what that meant. No reaction = good.

WWWWWWhhhhhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Had I been at home I would have been dancing and shouting. As it was, I just gave "D" the thumbs up and a big grin. We finished our conversation and I hung up. No reaction. This was the only test I had ever taken and gotten a score of zero. And I was thrilled.

So suddenly, this kidney transplant thing is a discussion in reality rather than hypotheticals. I need to make some appointments on Monday - one for a 24 hour urine collection here in Temecula and the other for a 2 day battery of tests evaluating the health of my kidneys in Minnesota. Barring any unforseen problems, we will soon be talking transplant. Keep me and my kidneys in your thoughts...