A picture from our annual trip to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN for our daughter Laura who was diagnosed with kidney failure in 2007. She has been on the donor transplant list for 3 years so once a year she goes for 3 days of testing and monitoring...until a match is found she is on dialysis 3 days a week. Not an easy hand to be dealt at 20 years of age but she's a trooper and has accepted it and rarely lets it slow her down in spite of the many challenges she faces on a daily basis. We usually go to Mayo the first week in January but this was there first available opening so it's really nice to go this week with temps being in the 30's...it's almost like spring here this week.
I was literally standing where you took this picture just last Tuesday. Such a small world. I am so sorry that your daughter is dealing with that. Our daughter has dealt with kidney reflux and a bladder disorder since she was little, and will probably be on medication her whole life, but thankfully hasn't done enough damage to her kidneys yet. I will keep her in my thoughts. The Mayo is a great place to be. I have a couple friends that work there, and my brother in law did his residency there. Too bad I wasn't doing my photo shoot this week, I could have met you. Please take care. If you need anything, I'm only an hour and a half away. I could be there in a heart beat. Just send a message.
Paula, having sons about this age I can imagine how tough it is to deal with a such a serious health issue when you are supposed to be in the prime and carefree time of life. I am glad she is an optimistic girl and from getting to know you on 365 I am sure you are a very supportive mom. I am really glad you took your camera because this is absolutely stunning. A fav from me. Is it a fish eye image - which type? I also love the coloring.
Very cool shot.
Hoping your daughter gets her kidney soon. The husband of a HS classmate just recently returned to OK from Mayo with a new kidney. Keep the faith!
@petersonsheri Thank you Sheri for your your kind and caring thoughts! It just seems so unfair when young kids are faced with these life changing dagnoses. I hope your daughter can continue to control hers with medication so it never escalates to more serious problems. Mayo has given us hope when we were given none at our local hospital....they told her she would never be eligible for a transplant but Mayo is giving her that chance. I wouldn't hesitate for a second to recommend Mayo to anyone...it is truly an amazing place. Thanks again Sheri, you are another 365'er with a heart of gold! :)
@julie@jonna@wac@jjsooner Thank you all from the bottom of my heart for your kind and caring wishes! :) Now I have got to go to bed...we had to get up @ 2:15 am to be there by 7 this morning...yawn! :)
Paula, what an amazing shot. So sorry to learn about your daughter. This has to be a very challenging and difficult situation to live with . . . hoping each day will answer your prayers. I'll be keeping you in mine.
It does seem unfair when little ones have to face the challenges; thoughts, prayers, hugs to you and your family. This shot is amazing and it seems to convey a sense of journey and keeping perspective.
Paula...thanks for posting this. my thoughts will be with your daughter in hopes that she gets a new kidney soon. Mayo is the very best that have done wonderful things for very dear friends of mine. best to you...
@wac Thanks again Wendy...I did use my Nikon 10mm fisheye! It worked really well for some of the tall buildings and large expanses inside the buildings.
I like the contrast between the natural world (blue sky & clouds) and the made world (the skyscrapers). My thoughts and prayers are with you and your daughter.
Paula, How difficult when people we love have health issues. She sounds like a very strong young woman and I'm sure she got that from you. I will keep her in my prayers.
This is a beautiful photo. I am so sorry to hear what your daughter is going through. I will pray for her and your family! I hope she gets a match soon!
Paula, I also have children your daughter's age. Life is just so unreasonable sometimes. I'm so sorry for your family and pray that she will get her turn for a transplant soon. I know how hard the dialysis can be and she sounds like an amazing and grounded young woman. I will be sending positive energy your way in hopes of a successful outcome soon!
Great shot to mark this event.. with wonderful fish-eye. I know what it's like to have a loved one go through this. My father in law was on dialysis for several years before they discovered that my mother in law was a match and my Aunt had been on dialysis until August last year when they discovered that her daughters' best friend of over 20 years was a match for her.
I pray that she stays strong and that a donor will be found soon. This subject is near and dear to my heart. It is such a heartbreaking wait. Sending you all some extra strength from one who's family has been here twice.
BTW... I most certainly have the donor section ticked on my licence and have this backed up on my will. Just wish more people would see the sense in this.
Awesome shot! You and your daughter are definitely in my prayers. Sounds like she has an optimistic outlook, which is so wonderful! I pray she gets her transplant soon!
Fascinating shot & place. I worked in a lab that did research on transplantation tolerance for a few years (my best job ever - great people) tho I'm not an immunologist so I could never really understand the topic - it's really complex!! However there was a lot of interaction between the different research groups and it's fascinating to see the places involved. Hope your daughter gets a kidney soon - that's a transplant they've really got to grips with!
I've been worried about Laura since I haven't seen a 365 post from her in a while. I know how a chronic illness can overtake your life at times and the focus is often on simply getting through the day ~ as it should be. It's a huge challenge for one so young to have to endure. The Mayo Clinic has such a wonderful reputation. I'm certain that Laura is receiving the best and most up to date care possible. It sounds like it's now a matter of waiting until the right donor comes along. I so hope that will be soon. I know it has to be a difficult wait for a mother as well. In the meantime, I'm sending positive thoughts Laura's and your way.
Oh, gosh, I'm just so sorry that is going on. You and your daughter will be in my thoughts and I'm sending lots of positive energy your way. It sounds like there's a lot of optimism which is fantastic. Hang in there, I know something will work out.
...and this is a FAB shot. I just love the perspective, the reflections, the everything. Awesome, fave!
Love the shot. Interested by the shape of the top of the buildings on the right. Are they convex shaped, because the other buildings show the more usual concave aspect after a fisheye. Made me wonder if it's more than one shot.
Whatever the technique, it is a first rate post - as I have come to expect from you :-)
What a brilliant shot. And so sorry to hear about your daughter as well. Having dealt with some very serious medical issues with my children I know how hard it is on everybody. Hope she gets a match soon.
THis is really an amazing shot! I'm sad to hear that your daughter has such a seriuos disease. I pray for you and your family that the wait will be shot and everything will be allright in the Mayo.
That is really cool shot. Hang in there. My Brother was on the kidney donor list too several years ago. It can be a trying and long wait. Thoughts and prayers are with you.
This is a beautiful perspective. I hope a donor comes along soon, four years is a long time to wait. Can't imagine being so young and having to go through all of this, so glad that she is a trooper! Makes it a little easier for you.
I wanted to add one more note to this. My son had a friend who needed a heart transplant, and after waiting for a few years, her need had become dire. She switched from Mayo (also spending much of her waiting time at Children's hospital in Minneapolis) to a hospital in St. Lous. Not necessarily because the hospital was better, but because they had more donor organs become available on a regular basis. Kind of sad, I know. She did get her heart. Here is a link to her story. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-62460579.html
This is a cool shot! Hoping and praying for the best. I had to check my license to make sure it said donor - it does. Though I wonder if there is an age limit on donating organs?
This is a very cool shot! I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter, I can't imagine what that would be like. She is lucky to have a great Mom like you there with her :)
well at first I was going to say that I love this perspective, what a great shot and the opening to the sky almost looks like Texas. Then I actually read your caption....instead I want to say that I am praying for you and your daughter and I hope hope she gets all the help she needs to be well.
oh paula, life isn't fair....it really isn't. i'm so glad you have found hope there, and how wonderful that your daughter is dealing with this so well. you are both in my thoughts.....
as to this picture, it is stunning, and only served to strengthen my lens lust for a fisheye that much more. beautiful.
A beautiful shot and a wonderful perspective. You daughter sounds like an amazingly strong and courageous girl. I will keep her and all of your family in my prayers that she may find a kidney very soon.
beautiful picture...and prayers sent for your daughter...I wonder sometimes why life can be so hard. God bless your daughter and you...love and prayers sent from Texas....
@peggysirk Thank you Peggy for your kind and caring comments....I know you're struggling with health issues of your own lately so I truly appreciate that you took the time to send well wishes to my daughter. Thanks again and feel better soon Peggy! :)
I want to thank each and every one of you for your kind and supportive comments....I appreciate them more than you know. I am sorry I haven't had much of a chance lately to view or comment but I'm going to try and get caught up this week. Sometimes life just gets in the way of our best intentions! :)
@petersonsheri Thank you Sheri for the link....it really is uplifting to hear about positive outcomes. A lot of people seem to want to share the negative experiences or hopelessness when it comes to transplants....I don't want to go there so I refuse to entertain negative thoughts on this subject! :)
Paula....my heart goes out to your family. As I'm ready through the previous comment I am so impressed with the compassion from our fellow 365ers, it touches my heart. Sending prayers, warmth and healing thoughts your way.
As to the photo. It's beautiful. I love that you have found a way to see, capture and share some beauty from your annual trip.
This is an interesting shot!!! Makes me feel quite small...
Hoping your daughter gets her kidney soon. The husband of a HS classmate just recently returned to OK from Mayo with a new kidney. Keep the faith!
Wonderful shot.
I pray that she stays strong and that a donor will be found soon. This subject is near and dear to my heart. It is such a heartbreaking wait. Sending you all some extra strength from one who's family has been here twice.
BTW... I most certainly have the donor section ticked on my licence and have this backed up on my will. Just wish more people would see the sense in this.
...and this is a FAB shot. I just love the perspective, the reflections, the everything. Awesome, fave!
Love the shot. Interested by the shape of the top of the buildings on the right. Are they convex shaped, because the other buildings show the more usual concave aspect after a fisheye. Made me wonder if it's more than one shot.
Whatever the technique, it is a first rate post - as I have come to expect from you :-)
Love your picture!
The photo is amazing
as to this picture, it is stunning, and only served to strengthen my lens lust for a fisheye that much more. beautiful.
I want to thank each and every one of you for your kind and supportive comments....I appreciate them more than you know. I am sorry I haven't had much of a chance lately to view or comment but I'm going to try and get caught up this week. Sometimes life just gets in the way of our best intentions! :)
As to the photo. It's beautiful. I love that you have found a way to see, capture and share some beauty from your annual trip.