Getting "The Call"

I was up early this morning - I got into the shower around 7 AM.  When I got out, my phone was ringing.  I saw the number on the caller ID - It was the Transplant Clinic.


Oh.  Man.

I answered, and Ellen - my coordinator - said "Your number's come up!  You're a backup for a kidney we've got, but we need a current blood sample to cross match!"

My heart hit the floor and then the roof....  I told her I'd be there in a few minutes, as I lived down the road, and I woke up my wife, who almost fell out of bed with excitement.  We got ready in a hurry, and raced down to the hospital.

We waited in the lobby of the clinic; there was a little girl in the waiting room, too.  She was probably about 8 or 9.... just a sweet little thing.  I heard the excitement in her and her moms voice - they were waiting for a kidney too.  That poor little girl had a bunch of surgeries, she said.... I know how much I'm suffering from this, but at least I had my childhood.... this poor girl.... my heart just bled for her.  I hope she gets a kidney too.

So they took my blood, and said they'd know if I didn't cross match in about 4-6 hours.  Ellen said she'd call me either way to let me know.  I'm still waiting right now, and though I was cool about it all day - it's consuming me now.

Waiting is crazy.  But the hope... the possibility..... my life could change...... I'm hoping.

~Steve