Tonya's Kidney Transplant, ETC
*TRANSCRIPT* FROM ASL* (American Sign Language) I sign on video/vlog here:
"Hello everyone! My name is Christopher Palaia (aka "CP") (I forgot to introduce myself in ASL video, my apologies!). Just wanted to share with all of you a very important matter relating to one of my dearest childhood friends, Tonya Boetto-Guevara.
Tonya is Deaf, also. She is approximately a few years older than I am. She is a beautiful Italian-American Christian lady with most neat + friednly and serving kind of personality. She loves to serve anyone and help anyone. She has a big heart. She is well-liked everywhere else especially within our greater Sacramento community & Northern California.
Tonya, her boyfriend, Scott Cahill and their 10-year old son, Dylan Cahill just moved to Texas from here (Sacramento area) last year. Their son, Dylan is the only hearing family member in their immediate family except their extending members are hearing. They are so wonderful family! For the last 6 months, they have gone so much of adversity especially Tonya's health issues. Kidney issue is the ongoing serious issue addressing them for a long while. Then, Tonya's doctor who just informed her of her Kidney's absolute failure, her world became immediately upside down & so hopeless.
Despite her excessive daily dialsysis attendances and had been to all doctor appointments and tried as many medicines as possible, her ongoing hope ballon-exploded after learning recently of her kidney being seriously failed permanently yet in urgent need of a new implant. Kidney implant must be done ASAP or she would have to stay onto doing dialysis forever. She would die without doing dialysis or a new kidney implant. This is pretty serious and scary, indeed!
As per possible new kidney implant, her blood type is A+ (A positive). However, for any donor(s), not just a certain type, A+ itself, must undergo a several specific testings in order to really match both parties (one of us and her) before determining one of us is a right candidate/donor to help Tonya. Tonya and I share the same blood type, A+. However, it does not mean I am the right donor just yet. I will have to be tested as well. I will share more in next video(s)/vlog(s) later on.
Tonya really needs your help so badly on two things: (1) donating a new kidney and especially (2) funds. Will explain why she needs financial assistance so badly next. Her insurance is very limited and restricted, sadly. Her insurance wont cover everything but "some". That is it. Everything is being estimated much more than $150,000 on last several months behind on medical bills, all upcoming appointments, upcoming surgeries including a kidney implant. Also, she has to pay first $8,000+ for first surgery. She was strucked by such shocking medical fees kind of information. She became very hopeless and discouraged.
She can not have an implant right away until her weight become accurately approved before having an implant done. She is currently working on it right now. Lately, she has been losing some pounds. She stated this a few days ago (around March 2nd?) that she needed only 30 lbs left to go before she can be approved by DR for her first surgery. Boy, this is becoming even difficult for her especially her DR urges her to have an implant ASAP despite a very long waiting list all over unless any one of us who is a right donor, possibly much sooner (the better!!).
Why I wanted to do by owing her a big favor. Because she actually "saved my life" from a mean Wizard of Oz's witch-like elementary teacher, Mrs. Burns (bless her soul in Heaven, I of course forgave you decades ago!) who taught 5/6th graders in Tonya's class. I was only a tempporary 3rd grader in her class. I sharpened my pencil (it had leads in it - you know 1970s) and sat next to Mrs. Burns. Tonya sat other side next to me, either. Mrs. Burns was doing a story on sheeps something like that (I remembered firmly). I was not paying attention (I was 9!!) and chatted with a few students in circle while Mrs. Burns signed a story. Mrs. Burns saw me chatting, she slapped my left hand down which my right hand held the pencil yet pinched through my left hand & bleed explosively all over me.
Mrs. Burns saw I was crying so badly, she slapped my face and yelled at me. Tonya stood up, held me and defended me while she yelled back at Mrs. Burns "look at Christopher crying with his left hand bleeding badly!! Stop that!!" something like that. Mrs. Burns was shocked and sent me to ER, etc. Very short & sweet but to the point, I want to do Tonya a favor by doing something despite if I am not the right donor. I still want to help her getting two important things: (1) A new kidney and (2) A full financial assistance from any one of you worldwide.
Again, really need your help deparately so badly. Tonya should NOT worry financially nor anything while she is still suffering so badly. It pains me seeing her like that. I have seen her being not herself, deeply in pain, crying, etc YET she has been so positive so Christ-like to everyone even through she is in very awful pain. It made me realize she really need our help so immediately. She does have an approximate time-frame if things gets worse. Dont want that to happen for her.
Her son, a very sweet boy, Dylan has been emotionally praying with deep hope for his own Mother, Tonya to be alive and healthy again. He is only 10! He doesnt deserve that! He needs to really enjoy his own childhood! Plus, Tonya's awesome boyfriend of 16 years, Scott Cahill has been very concern yet very worried for her. He doesnt want to lose her as well. Very hard especially their son, Dylan. He hasnt given up and keep praying to God. This really touched my heart big time. I want to do something for her and her family so hopefully would you?
Please take a moment and look at pictures of Tonya and her family and everything what she has gone through (more stories and pictures/videos will be posted soon). This is important for you to be able to help her as soon as possible. Thank you so much and God blesses you!! ILY to you, all!!"
Thank you,
Christopher Palaia
(for Tonya and her family)
