Kim joined our family on September 8th, 2006.  That was the day she married my brother, David.  September 8th, 2006 was also Alexis' first birthday.  It was the perfect day to celebrate two wonderful people sharing a wonderful day.  But that was not all Kim and Alexis will share...  

Kim will be Alexis' kidney donor.  I can't put into words what it means for someone to give your child the gift of life.  I would like to express my gratefullness and joy for what Kim has done for Alexis.  And I would like to thank her parents for bringing such a wonderful, selfless, giving person into the world.

Alexis has had many, many blood draws; too many to count.  Her doctor checks levels of several chemicals in her blood to determine the how advanced her kidney disease has become.  One of the things they check is potassium.  Alexis' potassium is too high, which means she cannot eat foods that are high in potassium like bananas, oranges, potatoes, dairy and whole grains, etc.  Alexis has not eaten these foods since she was 2.  If her potassium gets too high it can cause damage to her heart.  She has had 3 heart tests and thank God every one has been normal.   

While writing about Alexis I cannot fail to mention that she also has hearing loss in addition to her kidney disease.  When she was 15 months old she most likely had normal hearing... she was babbling (a LOT) she said mama, dada, Say-see (for Gracie her older sister) and something that sounded like "happy baby". 

When she was 18 months she stopped responding to her name, she stopped saying words.  I took her in for a hearing test.  It took many months and MANY hearing tests, including a sleeping test called an ABR.  She had mild, high frequency hearing loss and was given hearing aids. 

Alexis was always small for her age.  But at her 2 year check-up she dropped off the chart for weight.  Then a few months later her dad noticed that she was acting unusual one weekend.  She was not like herself; she was crabby and incredibly thirsty.  I took her to the doctor suspecting diabetes; hoping I was just being an over concerned parent.  

Alexis was born on Thursday, September 8th, 2005.  She was a tiny baby; 5 lbs 12 oz.  When she was born there was no way to know that she had any medical issues.  But we did know that she was wonderful !!!  She was so beautiful; she was (and is) such a source of joy.