Don't forget to Donate to the NKF.

The walk is less than a week away. Don't forget to help us out.



http://walk.kidney.org/site/TR/Walk/Ohio?px=1282481&pg=personal&fr_id=2020



Thanks,

Neal, Michele, Grady, Gwendolyn, Tippy, Luke

Update on Ryan

Congratulations to Ryan for completing the Columbus marathon last weekend!

So Ryan donated a kidney to Neal in January of 2008. In the fall of 2008, Ryan ran the Columbus half marathon. This past weekend, Ryan ran the full marathon in Columbus. Pretty amazing. I am asking for predictions on what he will do in 2010?

Tomorrow the guys are in the Circleville Pumpkin parade for Donate Life at 8pm. They are driving the mustang and Honey Bee (the Donate Life mascot). Leslie and Connor will be there and hopefully the twins and I will make it. Supposedly you can watch it online. Keep an eye out for us!

http://www.pumpkinshow.com/media/index.htm

Remember this....


I am sure neither Ryan or Neal have forgotten this day. Fear and anticipation filled the hospital to say the least, but look where we are today.

We are joining another walk to raise awareness for organ donation. I think it is just a mile. The babies will be participating as long as the weather permits. They are quite the little fundraisers. Here is the letter from my husband.

Date: Sunday, November 1, 2009
Location: The Ohio Statehouse - Broad & High Street
Check In Begins: 8 a.m.
Walk Starts at: 9 a.m. (Don't forget about the time change!)
http://walk.kidney.org/site/TR/Walk/Ohio?px=1282481&pg=personal&fr_id=2020&et=hS46xU8ZOUwnIVp9ifqw2Q..&s_tafId=16392


All,

It is that time of year again. The National Kidney Foundation walk is quickly approaching. The National Kidney Foundation is a great organization that helps inform the public about Kidney disease and transplantation.

Very few people in my situation have had such a great outcome. Only with the love and support of my family and friends am I alive today. Whether it is waking up in the middle of the night to change a poopy, excuse me, two poopy diapers I do it with great pleasure, knowing that less than 2 years ago I had a hard time even walking to the bathroom from the couch. The love shown by the McHenry family over the last 2 years is unbelievable. I can never repay them for what they have done for our family. Because of Ryan and the McHenry clan I will be able to intimidate my daughters first boyfriend, congratulate my son on the winning touchdown in overtime against the Steelers, and dance at both of their weddings. I am truly THE luckiest man alive.

I can never repay Ryan and Leslie for the life saving decision they made. I can only try and help raise awareness. The National Kidney Foundation is just one way I can help out. So please support us as we try to help the National Kidney Foundation of Ohio raise awareness.

Thanks,
Neal, Michele, Grady, and Gwendolyn

Neal had a rough 13 months, but transplantation allowed him and I to regain our life. If you need more of a reason to participate read http://beadonor.blogspot.com/. You do not have to donate money to support us. You can attend the walk or simply register to be an organ donor at http://www.lifelineofohio.org/.

National Kidney Foundation Walk

It is that time of year again. Time to walk for the National Kidney Foundation. I have started a walk page for donations just like last year. If you would like to you are welcome to donate to help the cause.

http://walk.kidney.org/site/TR/Walk/Ohio?px=1282481&pg=personal&fr_id=2020

Thanks!

I tried to find a picture of what I look like on the inside but I could only find one with a single transplant. I look like this on the inside, except that there are 4 total.

More pictures

Work has started

Dash for Donation

Saturday was the Dash for Donation. It really is a great event. It appeared as though there were about 1600 people in attendance. We had a great turnout as always. Ryan ran the half marathon while the rest of us did the 5k. It is hard to believe it has been over a year and a half since the transplant. Organ donation changes lives.

I also had to upload a picture of all of our babies. We are finally a family again.

We have some new pics.... Please do not order through the site, we bought the rights, so we can order them through a cheaper store.
Go towww.our365.com
Search by family birthday 6/29/09 city of Dublin
Password is O1Y4H5P0H2
Once you see one of the babies you can change the drop down menu to see the other.

I hate to brag, but man are they cute babies!!!

Kothe Twins

Grady Ryan Kothe 5lbs 5oz, 17.5 inches born 6/29 at 7:27pm

Gwendolyn Marie Kothe 5lbs 7oz, 19.5 inches born 6/29 at 7:30PM(pink hat)

DASH FOR DONATION

I am starting a team for the team challenge for the Dash for Donation. I won’t be asking you to raise any money but to just pay the $10 registration fee. If you want to run/walk this event just let me know and I will collect your form and fee. If you need a form, send us a note. To be on the team, you will not sign up through the website, but through me. I need the forms by mid July. I will more than likely be walking this event with my two new babies. If you come to the event I will let you smell the babies. They will only be a month old and probably still have that new baby smell.

I will also be having a pancake breakfast at my house after for those that are interested. If you are coming for breakfast please let me know.

Please feel free to forward this to anyone you would like to.

You can mail me your fee and form to my home address. 2271 Severhill Dr. Dublin Oh 43016.

Lifeline of Ohio Dash for Donation

Registration starts May 15th! I am not sure what we are doing because we will not know when the twins will come or how, but I am hoping I will be able to do the one mile walk with them. The Dash for Donation is Saturday, August 15th. The link is below for more information.

http://www.lifelineofohio.org/news/dashfordonation.aspx

National Kidney Foundation

There is a new, cheap and easy way to raise money for the National Kidney Foundation. Please read if you are interested. This will also count as fundraising for us for the 2009 US Transplant games in Wisconsin. We will need every penny given that we will be towing the twins, possibly Ryan, Leslie and Connor and maybe some Grandparents! All you have to do is register your Kroger Plus card online for the National Kidney Foundation. If you choose to do this, provide us with your name and Kroger card number so we can also get credit. Details are below.

Kroger Community Reward Program
Kroger has launched a new Kroger Community Reward Program and is dedicating $5,000,000 to it! This program will enable them to help even more organizations, of all sizes. You will earn funds just by using your Kroger Plus Card.

Once you are registered and you make a purchase at Kroger and use your Kroger Plus Card, that purchase will contribute to the National Kidney Foundation Serving Ohio/Team Ohio. In addition, once a household member registers, then all linked Kroger Plus Cards used by family members also begin earning funds for the National Kidney Foundation Serving Ohio/Team Ohio.

It’s simple: you shop, use your Kroger Plus Cards, and the National Kidney Foundation Serving Ohio receives a reward check each quarter, based on the percentage of spending of your group in comparison to that of the other registered organizations. Kroger will award up to $1,250,000 per quarter. Funds are raised for with every transaction you make.

Directions on signing up for Kroger's new Kroger Community Reward Program are below. You must sign up first as a member (free) before registering your Kroger card number to the National Kidney Foundation Serving Ohio.

REGISTER Your Kroger Plus Card Today
Simply encourage your members to register online at krogercommunityrewards.com
Be sure to have your KrogerPlus card handy and register your card with your organization after you sign up.
If a member does not yet have a Kroger Plus card, please let them know that they are available at the customer service desk at any Kroger.
Click on Sign In/Register
Most participants are new online customers, so they must click on SIGN UP TODAY in the ‘New Customer?’ box.
Sign up for a Kroger Rewards Account by entering zip code, clicking on favorite store, entering your email address and creating a password, agreeing to the terms and conditions
You will then get a message to check your email inbox and click on the link within the body of the email.
Click on My Account and use your email address and password to proceed to the next step.
Click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information and input your Kroger Plus card number.
Update or confirm your information.
Enter NPO number or name of organization, select organization (I had to type in National Kidney Foundation) from list and click on confirm. (National Kidney Foundation Serving Ohio, 1373 Grandview Avenue)
To verify you are enrolled correctly, you will see your organization’s name on the right side of your information page.
REMEMBER, purchases will not count for your group until after your member(s) register their card(s).
Do you use your phone number at the register? Call 877-576-7587 to get your Kroger Plus card number.
Members must swipe their registered Kroger Plus card or use the phone number that is related to their registered Kroger Plus card when shopping for each purchase to count.

Thank you for all of your support. The Dash for Donation is on August 15th. I will post more information on that once registration is open.

I double dog dare you!

To drink a creamer!

I should get Michele this button

Michele had her very first hormonal incident last night. She started yelling and even crying at me. I really didn't do anything. She apologized. I have been very lucky. She has been very good to me this entire pregnancy so far. I could not find a picture of a guy laughing as a women was yelling. That would better explain what really was happening. ha

I finally got my license

I am so proud of myself!

Evening with the Stars

Neal and Ryan were asked to present some awards at a Donate Life event. The event was on Saturday, conveniently downtown, across from the Arnold Classic. The awards were honoring medical professionals. It was Neal's largest crowd to date and a small audience for Ryan. The meal was amazing. Both guys also were given 2-3 minutes to tell their own stories and did a great job. Ryan was able to give the crowd a few laughs. The beginning of Ryan's speech talked about how we had earned one name status like Cher with them. We are Neal&Michele. It was very cute and very true on the reverse as well. In emails with my Dad, they are R&L. We look forward to the many future vacations and camping trips we will have together. Some people came up to us afterwards to talk with us. Some people even said they had a few tears after hearing the guys talk. It was a great evening and a change of pace since we were not out telling our story to get people to sign up to donate, but simply to meet others who already support organ donation. Hopefully Neal will be asked to participate in more speaking engagements.

Baby's first cd

And Michele thought that she could not stand Marley before. Just wait.

Michele last night

Man she was a hot mess. She is such a trooper though.

Sweet hat

Check out my new hat. Old school Cavs colors. Dave had to copy and get on too.

Before

After

It turned out ok.

Poor guys

Only 4 months away from being replaced by baby pictures. I am just glad we are not having 3 babies. Having 2 monitors at work is enough. Hehe.

Karma

I should have found the owner of the 20 bucks I found. I more than likely would have not gotten a 30 dollar parking ticket.

New floors

We had our new floors for the kitchen installed yesterday. We also had the bathrooms done. Here are some shots fo the new floor. Carpet goes in on Monday. We are almost ready for the twins.

Bonus!!!!

Went to the K-roger on the way home from work and 20 bucks flew by me in the parking lot. I scooped it up!

A new twist on the kidney transplant

HOPKINS TRANSPLANT SURGEONS REMOVE HEALTHY KIDNEY THROUGH DONOR’S VAGINA

Minimally invasive organ removal could increase donations, surgeons sayFebruary 2, 2009- In what is believed to be a first-ever procedure, surgeons at Johns Hopkins have successfully removed a healthy donor kidney through a small incision in the back of the donor’s vagina.“The kidney was successfully removed and transplanted into the donor’s niece, and both patients are doing fine,” says Robert Montgomery, M.D., Ph.D., chief of the transplant division at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine who led the team that performed the historic operation.The transvaginal donor kidney extraction, performed Jan. 29 on a 48-year-old woman from Lexington Park, Md., eliminated the need for a 5-to-6-inch abdominal incision and left only three pea-size scars on her abdomen, one of which is hidden in her navel.The novel surgery was performed by Mohamad E. Allaf, M.D., assistant professor in the departments of Urology and Biomedical Engineering and director of minimally invasive and robotic surgery. Allaf has performed a previous transvaginal nephrectomy on a diseased kidney, but this was the first time he has operated on a kidney donor.“In contrast to removing diseased kidneys, this procedure has to deliver a perfect kidney since it will be used by the recipient,” says Allaf.Transvaginal kidney removals have been done previously to remove cancerous or nonfunctioning kidneys that endanger a patient’s health, but not for healthy kidney donation. Because transplant donor nephrectomies are the most common kidney removal surgery — 6,000 a year just in the United States — this approach could have a tremendous impact on people’s willingness to donate by offering more surgical options,” says Montgomery.“Since the first laparoscopic donor nephrectomy was performed at Johns Hopkins in 1995, surgeons have been troubled by the need to make a relatively large incision in the patient’s abdomen after completing the nephrectomy to extract the donor kidney. “That incision is thought to significantly add to the patient’s pain, hospitalization and convalescence,” says Montgomery. “Removing the kidney through a natural opening should hasten the patient’s recovery and provide a better cosmetic result.”Both laparoscopies and transvaginal operations are enabled by wandlike cameras and tools inserted through small incisions. In the transvaginal nephrectomy, two wandlike tools pass through small incisions in the abdomen and a third flexible tool housing a camera is placed in the navel.Video images displayed on monitors guide surgeons’ movements. Once the kidney is cut from its attachments to the abdominal wall and arteries and veins are stapled shut, surgeons place the kidney in a plastic bag inserted through an incision in the vaginal wall and pull it out through the vaginal opening with a string attached to the bag.Montgomery says the surgery took about three and a half hours, roughly the same as a traditional laparoscopic procedure.The Jan. 29 operation is one of a family of new surgical procedures called natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgeries (NOTES) that use a natural body opening to remove organs and tissue, according to Anthony Kalloo, M.D., the director of the Division of Gastroenterology at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine and the pioneer of NOTES. The most common openings used are the mouth, anus and vagina.Since 2004, successful NOTES in humans have removed diseased gallbladders and appendixes through the mouth, and gallbladders, kidneys and appendixes through the vagina.Recently, Kalloo says, some medical experts have called for more studies to compare the safety and effectiveness of NOTES against traditional laparoscopies, which also leave very small scars, have been in use for many years, and are proven to be safer and less painful for patients than older “open” abdominal procedures. He supports more studies.But, he adds, “natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery is the final frontier to explore in making surgery scarless, less painful and for obese patients, much safer.” An organ donor, in particular, is most deserving of a scar-free, minimally invasive and pain-free procedure.”Additional surgeons from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine who participated in the procedure were Andy Singer, M.D., Ph.D., assistant professor in the Division of Transplant Surgery; and Wen Shen, M.D., M.P.H., assistant professor in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics.

What a punk.

This guy from Michigan elbowed poor little P.J. Hill. You can see him about ready to land it. Michigan players are scum. He was thrown out of the game. Bucks sent them packing with a 54-72 victory. I was yelling at the end for the bucks to throw up another shot so we could win by 20.

2/3 of the way done

I put together the baby furniture on Monday. One of the cribs was broken. I have to wait to get a replacement part and it will all be done. Only took 4 min to put the crib together. The changing table took longer. So far this baby thing is a snap, for me that is. Michele on the other hand throws up a minimum 2 times a day. Growing babies is tough stuff.

1 Year Down

40 more to go. Thanks again Ryan.

-Neal

Time Flies

It seems like more than a year ago that the transplant happened. One year ago Neal and I and Ryan and Leslie had so many emotions running through us. Neal and I could barely sleep due to anticipation, fear and thoughts of a new life, a second chance you would say. The days leading up to the transplant, Neal was cleaning things around our house that had never been cleaned! I guess we were just trying to find a way to pass the time more quickly. I was more anxious for Ryan and Leslie, because this was all new to them. Neal and I were veterans of being in the hospital and having surgeries, nor did we really have a choice on this surgery. We did not want to continue the dialysis route, it was too brutal. Ryan and Leslie were voluntarily getting into this. I am sure Ryan and Leslie had their own list of emotions! Neal always told me (and I never believed it) that being nice to people would pay back someday. I have to admit he was right in a bigger way than I could have imagined. Thursday we are headed out to a nice dinner with Ryan and Leslie to celebrate the one year anniversary of the transplantation of 'Lil Ryan. This will be a tradition we will carry on for many years.

We have had a great holiday season. We headed to Cleveland to see my extended family for Thanksgiving. The day after Thanksgiving, we were able to have all of our immediate family down to our place for Thanksgiving. We made it up to see Neal's family in December. While in town, Neal was able to catch a very cold Browns game with his family at the stadium. We are very thankful for the wonderful year we have had. For Christmas we got the flu or something else just as horrible! Neal had to spend a couple of nights over at OSU, but was freed on Christmas Day. As Ryan reminded us, that was nothing compared to some prior Christmas'.

Other than the flu or food poisoning Neal picked up for Christmas, his health is better than ever. Neal met with the oncologist in December and had another ultrasound and Lil Ryan is looking great. Ryan is fully recovered also. He had an appointment for a routine physical and everything looks great.

You cannot repay someone for giving you your life back. Try to tell Ryan and Leslie that! One of the first things Neal told Leslie immediately after the transplant was "Tell Ryan thanks, now Michele and I can start our own family". Well that time has come. We are so excited of the news that we are expecting twins. The babies will be here in July. We got to see them again on the 2nd and they were kicking and moving all over the place. We could not have done this without our completely selfless friends. Thanks McHenry's for giving us our life back! 2008 has been an amazing year and 2009 should be just as exciting!

Stacy made us a special pie to celebrate the babies. It was delicious! Perhaps we should have moved the large knife from the picture. I could not help but post a picture.