About Us
Bob and I have been married for 43 years. Together we raised 3 wonderful children, Trevor, Matt and Kristen. We also have 2 wonderful daughter-in-laws Jessica and Sara, and a great son-in-law Tim, in which they have given us 10 adorable grandchildren we are so proud of.
In 2010 we celebrated our 40th Wedding Anniversary with a trip to Las Vegas, NV where we renewed the covenant between us and God, the one that we made so long ago. The day was one of the most wonderful days of our lives. Even though our children and family could not be with us, we were so grateful that they could view the ceremony via the internet. Not only could we feel the love between us we could feel the love of our family as we said our vows to each other and lit the unity candle, uniting us for the second time.
As with any couple we have had our ups and downs, but our love for each other and our love for our Heavenly Father has brought us through each and every hurdle and crisis. Though each crisis we have emerged stronger in our faith and more in love with each other. We realize that you need to always remember to make each moment count, never take each other for granted, respect each other and their differences, and love each other as if there is no tomorrow because there might not be. Never go to bed angry, or upset, try to find some humor in things that happen and even in difficult times try to laugh. We are each other's best friend and through that wonderful bonding friendship we laugh together and we cry together, but we know that the other one will be there beside us no matter what. We finish each other sentences and we know what the other one is thinking (which is scary at times). I know his every mannerism as he does mine. Sometimes I just lay next to him at night and watch him sleep thinking how lucky I am that God put this wonderful person in my life he is truely a gift from God.
Just as Christ said he would never leave us nor forsake us, I have told Bob that I will never leave him nor forsake him especially now in his time of need. These are difficult days, but we both know that God is in the center of our marriage and lives and He alone is sustaining us through this most difficult journey in life, one that we are traveling together. With the support of our children and the love our our grandchildren we will get through this. We know God has us in his hands and is guiding and protecting us as we journey on.
Keep us in your prayers.
In Christ's Love,
Suzi
Living Kidney Donor Coordinator Tracy Perry 1-800-382-4602 or 1-317-944-4370
Bob's Kidney Disease
Bob has a hereditary disease called Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy (IgA). IgA is an antibody, if it lodges in the kidneys, it causes inflammation and eventually damages their ability to filter waste. After many years, the IgA deposits may cause the kidneys to leak blood and sometimes protein in the urine.
Many people with IgA Nephropathy leak blood in the urine, but this leakage does not mean they will have long-term problems. Others such as Bob, leak both blood and protein in the urine. If too much protein leaks into the urine, the hands and feet can swell. After 10 to 20 years with IgA nephropathy, the kidneys may show signs of damage. About 25 percent of adults with IgA Nephropathy develop total kidney failure. Only 5 to 10 percent of children develop total kidney failure. Symptoms of kidney failure include swelling in the hands and feet, nausea, fatigue, headaches, and sleep problems. By the time these symptoms occur, total kidney failure is near. Total kidney failure means the kidney damage is permanent. People with kidney failure need dialysis or a kidney transplant.
IgA Nephropathy can occur at any age, even in childhood. More men are affected than women. Although found all over the world, IgA Nephropathy is more common among Caucasians and Asians. It is one of the most common diseases of the kidney, other than those caused by diabetes or high blood pressure.
Scientists do not know what causes IgA deposits to form in the kidneys. IgA Nephropathy may run in families or be related to respiratory infections. No consistent trigger for the disease has been found.
Kidney disease usually cannot be cured. When the kidneys are damaged, they cannot be repaired. Treatment focuses on slowing the disease and preventing complications.
My Plea
Are you an organ donor? Have you ever thought about sharing an organ with someone who needs an organ to live? Do you know about living donation?
Well living donation occurs when a living person decides to donate one of their kidneys (or liver, lung, small bowel, or pancreas) to someone in need of a transplant. If a person specifies who they would like their kidney to go to it is referred to as a directed donation. Many people do not know the person they are donating to until just before the donation and this is called an altruistic or non-directed donation. A living donation is the best way for someone who is in need of a kidney transplant to receive one. Living kidney donations have the highest success rate of all transplant procedures. If you have signed up to be a donor on your driver’s license you do not have to wait until you are deceased to donate.
My husband of 43 years is facing a kidney transplant. He owns and has operated his own business since he was 14 years old and wants to continue to work for several more years, as his work is not only his job but a hobby. He recently had to scale back on his work load because of his kidney disease. As with kidney disease it causes you to be extremely tired so the physical work he used to do he can no longer do. He is not on dialysis yet but will be very soon.
He was evaluated at Indiana University Hospital in Indianapolis and passed all tests and is now listed on the UNOS (United Network for Organ Sharing, the organization that coordinates all transplantations) national waiting list. His doctors said that he is a good candidate for transplant however the average waiting time for a deceased kidney donor in our region is at least four years.
His best chance to get a kidney as soon as possible is from a living donor. He started on dialysis the day his kidneys totally shut down, December 23, 2013. He was so full of toxins that day that he was not able to understand the simplest instructions about doing peritoneal dialysis that he needed to do to sustain his life, at home.
The reason we are seeking a living kidney donor is that the transplanted kidney from a living donor begins to work right away whereas one from a deceased donor may take weeks and the recipient will have to go on or continue dialysis. Other good reasons for a living donor are; that there is less of a chance of rejection, better match and the kidney lasts twice as long as one from a deceased donor.
Kidney donors do not have to be immediate family, and in my husband’s case should not be. Due a hereditary disease called Immunoglobulin A Nephropathy (IgA) other family members are discouraged from donating to my husband. Even though he has Type O blood anyone from anywhere in the US and Canada, not just in Indiana can donate. They do not even have to be of the same blood type as the recipient as my husband’s hospital Indiana University Hospital does paired donations. A paired donation is one where if your donor does not match your blood type, they will pair you up with one who does and then the other recipient will receive your donor’s kidney. For more information regarding paired donation and other questions you might want to go to: https://www.lkdn.org/
The donor only has to be in good health with no underlying medical issues. There are funds available for travel expenses, lodging, meals and recipient’s health insurance pays for all medical cost associated with the donation and any follow-up care. You may wonder if donating will alter your life, after a 2-3 day stay in the hospital the recovery period is usually about two weeks. After that you should be able to return to your normal activities with no physical restrictions.
For more info about becoming a living donor please contact his living donor coordinator Tracy Perry 1-800-382-4602 and tell them you are inquiring about donating for Robert A Evans. Won't you please check out his Facebook page Bob's Kidney Kampaign for updates on his health.
Visit my husband’s facebook page Bob's Kidney Kampaign at https://www.facebook.com/BobsKidneyPage, like it and share it with all your friends, family and neighbors.
Won't you consider donating to the love of my life?
Suzi Evans