Fiery redhead gets kidney from her big brother

Hi there,

    My name is Ladine,  I am a friend of Rupert and Vicki Hewison, have been for the last 20 years. Those who know the Hewisons, know they are a great family, and for those who don't...well they are a great family. They have always been involved in the community, have volunteered their time and resources to friends and neighbours, including The Crowsnest Lake Bible camp. They are a family of 8 altogether with 6 children ranging in age from 31 to 14 - there's Tony, Christopher, Sarah, Cameron, and Nathaniel and Natalie, who are twins. There have also been extra family members since over the last 15 years they have always welcomed an exchange student into their home.

   In December of 2012, Natalie was diagnosed with kidney disease- she would eventually need a kidney transplant. Her combined function of both kidneys fluctuated between 18 to 12%, eventually going to 8%. In spite of these challenges, Natalie has never let this slow her down. She is a darling red head with a zeal for life and has always left the doctors to marvel at her activity levels despite what her numbers say. She loves all sports (as any Hewison would), volleyball and snowboarding are her current favourites. She has a wonderful exuberant spirit with a strong personality and the most infectious laugh that I best describe as a chortle.

     Her brave brother, Chris, offered his kidney and when the time came, while in his first year of his orthopaedic residency, the operation was performed January this year. His recovery is ongoing. He really deserves a medal of honour. There have been some very serious complications but things are progressing one small step at a time and ultimately the new kidney is doing it's job. 

     There are many challenges in this whole journey as anyone can imagine, some of the empirical ones are travelling, medication, loss of income, monitoring recovery and future surgery: Vicki and Rupert are taking turns one week at a time to be in Calgary with Natalie and be at home with the other children for school and extracurricular activities, it's about a 3 hour drive one way.

     Vicki has taken an extended leave from work for an indefinite period of time. 

     Natalie is also on a number of new and very important medications, 13 to be exact, one of them alone is just over $700 a month and not all of them are covered or covered fully on Rupert's medical plan. Out of pocket expense can be quite steep.  There are blood tests everyday. Natalie was in hospital for 3 weeks for the surgery and is now at Ronald MacDonald House, Post op protocol and new medications require close monitoring so she has to go to the hospital and have blood her levels checked which usually takes up the whole morning. 

     Vicki and Rupert continue to get instructions on the care Nat will need, it can all be overwhelming. As time goes by she will go home but will have to return to Calgary every week, then every month.....for a year. Expenses like gas, food and accommodation  continue to come into play and they could really use the financial aid to see them through.  

     Many of us are helping in practical ways, and I hope others will reach out through this go-fund-me page. I don't have Facebook myself, so I've set one up on Vicki's page. She has lots of friends - no surprise -  so please spread the word and if you are unable to help in a financial way, please keep the family in prayer. Prayers are always welcome. There will also hopefully be an article in our local newspaper "The Pass Herald" telling their story, so you can keep an eye out for that. thank you for listening.