Shook/Lesak Kidney Transplant Fund
Donation protected
Months ago I learned that my sweet friend Kim was rejecting the kidney her husband Paul had donated to her some 20 years ago. It was at that time I stepped forward as a prospective donor for her. After months of screening and ongoing medical testing, it was discovered that I am in fact a perfect MATCH!
This news confirmed what I already knew. You see, God told me 17 years ago that I was to give Kim my kidney. Now at that time, God's directive made no sense to me as she had recently received Paul's kidney and was living a happy, healthy life! I never doubted God's word. I simply waited until He spoke again...revealing that the time had come to be obedient to that word. I was excited to share that with Kim and her family! As all this has unfolded, we watched God reveal His faithfulness and we knew we needed tell His story! Both families feel it is important everyone see God's hand in this from start to finish!
I have met all criteria Baylor Transplant team has set forth and they recently confirmed I would indeed donate my right kidney to Kim. We anticipate surgery sometime in the next 4-6 weeks. In the meantime, there is a lot to plan and prepare for.
I have included a heartfelt message from Paul and Kim's daughter Kylie below. It gives some background as well as a look at what life has been like in the Shook home in recent months. It also shines a light on some very real needs both families face as we navigate the transplant process.
A MESSAGE FROM KYLIE:
Hello everyone! For those of you who do not know, my mom Kimberly has been struggling with kidney failure for most of her adult life. It was discovered when she was 20 years old, three weeks before she married my dad. She has had two transplants since then. One at 21 from her dad, and her second at 27 from my dad.
For 18 years dads kidney has been running strong! However mom has to take certain medication to keep her kidney from rejecting. For 13 years she was on a steroid called prednisone, which deteriorated her bones. Because of this she has had back to back surgeries for the last five years. Each surgery was harder and harder on the kidney until May of 2016 when Mama had to have an emergency spinal fusion. During the surgery her blood pressure was so low that it cut off most of the blood flow to her kidney for over fourteen hours. In November she ended up in the hospital with stage four rejection. Her kidney has since failed and she's been on dialysis since May. In April I quit my job as a hairstylist to take care of her. It been emotionally and physically exhausting for all of us.
The good news is we have had ten people come forward to be donors. On August 4th, which was mom's birthday, our good family friend was approved by the hospital as her donor! Jan has been here for mom since before her second transplant, and has been determined a perfect match. She, along with her family will be flying out to Texas in a few weeks for the transplant, and we couldn't be more thankful! She is putting her whole life on hold to give my mom a third chance at hers.
Jan and her family have always been considered our extended family. This incredible gesture will only solidify that. We are all very strong Christians, and praise Him for this huge answered prayer. He has blessed us beyond measure, and has never once left us. He has been here through all the tears, good days, hard days, and exhausting days. We trust him to provide and he has.
However not everything is taken care of. Our insurance will only pay a certain percentage of the transplant. Our church has been more than generous and is helping pay to bring Jan and her family out, but there still is the matter of the remaining travel expenses, lost wages for Jan, her husband, and my dad. That combined with paying for the rest of the transplant creates a financial burden we are asking assistance with.
We would all be especially grateful for any help y'all can provide!
Please also keep our families in your prayers for a safe surgery, and smooth recovery for both mama and Jan! Thank you all!
-The Shook's and the Lesak's
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"
Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to his purpose for Him.
#teamshook #transplantstrong #sistersforlife #Godgetstheglory
This news confirmed what I already knew. You see, God told me 17 years ago that I was to give Kim my kidney. Now at that time, God's directive made no sense to me as she had recently received Paul's kidney and was living a happy, healthy life! I never doubted God's word. I simply waited until He spoke again...revealing that the time had come to be obedient to that word. I was excited to share that with Kim and her family! As all this has unfolded, we watched God reveal His faithfulness and we knew we needed tell His story! Both families feel it is important everyone see God's hand in this from start to finish!
I have met all criteria Baylor Transplant team has set forth and they recently confirmed I would indeed donate my right kidney to Kim. We anticipate surgery sometime in the next 4-6 weeks. In the meantime, there is a lot to plan and prepare for.
I have included a heartfelt message from Paul and Kim's daughter Kylie below. It gives some background as well as a look at what life has been like in the Shook home in recent months. It also shines a light on some very real needs both families face as we navigate the transplant process.
A MESSAGE FROM KYLIE:
Hello everyone! For those of you who do not know, my mom Kimberly has been struggling with kidney failure for most of her adult life. It was discovered when she was 20 years old, three weeks before she married my dad. She has had two transplants since then. One at 21 from her dad, and her second at 27 from my dad.
For 18 years dads kidney has been running strong! However mom has to take certain medication to keep her kidney from rejecting. For 13 years she was on a steroid called prednisone, which deteriorated her bones. Because of this she has had back to back surgeries for the last five years. Each surgery was harder and harder on the kidney until May of 2016 when Mama had to have an emergency spinal fusion. During the surgery her blood pressure was so low that it cut off most of the blood flow to her kidney for over fourteen hours. In November she ended up in the hospital with stage four rejection. Her kidney has since failed and she's been on dialysis since May. In April I quit my job as a hairstylist to take care of her. It been emotionally and physically exhausting for all of us.
The good news is we have had ten people come forward to be donors. On August 4th, which was mom's birthday, our good family friend was approved by the hospital as her donor! Jan has been here for mom since before her second transplant, and has been determined a perfect match. She, along with her family will be flying out to Texas in a few weeks for the transplant, and we couldn't be more thankful! She is putting her whole life on hold to give my mom a third chance at hers.
Jan and her family have always been considered our extended family. This incredible gesture will only solidify that. We are all very strong Christians, and praise Him for this huge answered prayer. He has blessed us beyond measure, and has never once left us. He has been here through all the tears, good days, hard days, and exhausting days. We trust him to provide and he has.
However not everything is taken care of. Our insurance will only pay a certain percentage of the transplant. Our church has been more than generous and is helping pay to bring Jan and her family out, but there still is the matter of the remaining travel expenses, lost wages for Jan, her husband, and my dad. That combined with paying for the rest of the transplant creates a financial burden we are asking assistance with.
We would all be especially grateful for any help y'all can provide!
Please also keep our families in your prayers for a safe surgery, and smooth recovery for both mama and Jan! Thank you all!
-The Shook's and the Lesak's
Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future"
Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to his purpose for Him.
#teamshook #transplantstrong #sistersforlife #Godgetstheglory
Organizer
Jan Lesak
Organizer
Mentor, OH
