A Gift Of Life…

Marley&Lockyer

images – ©Ness Lockyer 2015

For those of you that have followed the journey of Marley & Lockyer, would know of the health journey we have been dealing with also. It was first mentioned in Australian Country Style in June 2012 which I blogged about as well as the video interview, also made by Annette Cohen from Country Style

My Husband, Mic, was diagnosed with end stage renal failure in 2003 and we were given a pretty grim outlook from the then specialist. This lead me to research every medical paper, journal, blog etc to find answers and information…that was 13 years ago.

In that time Mic has held his own. Keeping fit and active, still working and functioning as any health person does. With my qualifications as a Personal Trainer, we have made sure to very mindful of his diet, as ultimately, his kidneys must deal with it at some stage. So, we went gluten/diary/grain free and he has been amazing…until recently.

His health started to decline after years of being stable, which we knew would happen eventually, but he fought the whole way. So, the questions were asked about finding a live donor and us having to think of dialysis options. We were lucky to have a family member be tested (Mic never wanted me to be tested because of our children), but that was decided against at the very end by the surgeons. With his health and our family in mind, I put my hand up to be tested. This has all happened in a matter of 3 weeks.

He is still riding his bike whenever he can and still working…and still not on dialysis and we hope to keep it that way until the surgery, so don’t worry – he’s a fighter that’s for sure and an extraordinary man.

The outlook has been amazing…I am a match! The surgery is booked for this coming April the 28th, my birthday…4 weeks and 4 days away!

So, I will have to take time to recover and also be there for Mic during his recovery. Having said that, this will mean that this weekends Niche market in Launceston will be my last one for a while. I will be back on board for the second half of years market series, as well as something SUPER special that is in the works for June.

I apologise for not being as ‘available’ as I normally am, but hopefully now you can see that there was a reason behind it.

I have had to pull back on custom orders and  am trying to get as much done as I can before it happens, and will close the shop for a while to recover, but I am only one person and Mic and our boys are my utmost priority. Everyone who has been told  already has been SO supportive and understanding and I am so thankful to have such wonderful people around me. Our own support network is amazing and Mic and I are super thankful for everyone and their kind wishes and thoughts for a safe and successful transplant…we will need everyone of them.

This can change at any moment, right up until the day of the surgery, so please keep us in your hearts.

lights

 

So, for my birthday this year I am giving my best friend (who’s birthday is a few days later) a gift towards a better life. I am so happy and blessed to be able to have this opportunity to potentially make our family journey a little easier. ~Ness xx

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Today is World Kidney Day.

Please use it to talk to your family about how you feel about organ donation…it is super important.

“You have not really lived a day, until you have given someone a gift they can not repay”

Comments

comments

Comments (48)

  • much love to you and Mic.

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    • Thank you so much. We will need it xx

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  • <3 I am sending you, Mic & your family all the positive vibes & love that I have, & hope that you will both have the most amazing birthday. See you Saturday 🙂 xx

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    • Thanks Bec. Everyone is so supportive, it’s wonderful. See you there xx

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  • Oh sweet friend! My goodness, I knew , I just didn’t know all the details, I am so sorry. I will be praying so hard for the whole family, you are such an amazing person for doing this for your best friend and husband. You are so strong as a wife, mom, friend, and so much more! My thoughts are with you, wish I was closer to give you a great big hug and make you lots of yummy meals.
    XOXO
    Kristin
    (PS a friend of our’s did this for his wife 10 years ago and they are both going strong!)

    Reply
    • Thank you gorgeous one. We have been in touch with so many who have given and received. It’s amazing. Thank you for keeping us in your thoughts. We will need it xx

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  • You just brought tears to my eyes, what an extraordinary gift you are giving to your best friend and also your family. We should never take our good health and body for granted, there are plenty who would swap. All the best for you, your husband and family.

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    • Everyone needs to be more aware of their health, you are right. Most people won’t get symptoms until they have 90% failure. That’s scary. If our journey helps people realise this. I’m happy xx

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  • Such a wonderful gift that you offer. Wishing you and your loved one the best and we will be thinking of you. xx

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    • Thank you. We will need all the positive energy we can get xx

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  • Hi Ness!

    Sending you well wishes for the wonderful gift you are able to give to your family! My thoughts and prayers to a speedy recovery to you and Mic. You will be in my thoughts.

    Kindly, Kris

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    • Thank you. I really appreciate it xx

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  • I have goosebumps! What a special thing you are doing for your husband 🙂 Your family has obviously been through a lot, and I’m sure things are still uncertain..
    I don’t know you personally, though I did buy some of your Christmas stars last year (which I adore), but I hope and pray it goes well for both of you..
    Emma

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    • Thank you much. We are very lucky and there are a lot more dealing with worse, so we can’t complain. I’m glad you are enjoying your tags too xx

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  • Oh Ness huge news…how amazing that you are a match.
    Wishing you both all the very best
    Xx

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    • I know! So happy. We are very lucky so far. Thank you xx

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  • Ness, how my heart goes out to you and your family. Sending love and will pray for you Helen xx (chalc on Insta)

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    • Thank you, Helen. We have been extremely lucky with the whole journey, so we can’t complain. I’m just happy to have the donation thoughts on people’s minds. Xx

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  • All the very best to you, your husband and the boys. Isn’t it wonderful that the miracles of medicine can allow this to happen. Hope the both of you are fighting fit again in no time.

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    • I couldn’t agree more Deb. The years ahead will only get better and better for patients. Thank you xx

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  • Take care of yourself Ness!
    My thoughts are with you and Mic and your boys.
    xxx

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    • I will, thank you and thank you for your wishes xx

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  • Ness, what an amazing woman you are. It is so wonderful in every way that you are a match and can do this.
    I wish every great thing for you and Mick and I will be waiting with baited breath to know that you are both well and that Mick is on the road to recovery.
    Love Vicki

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    • Thank you Vicki. Not amazing at all. Anyone in the same position would do what I am doing. I appreciate your wishes. We will need them. Hope you and your family are well.
      Ness xx

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  • Oh goodness, Ness. Thinking of you guys. All the best xx

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    • Thank you, Naomi xx

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  • What a beautiful way to show your children Ness, what real love is. My prayers will be with your family. I look forward tohearing the wonderful progress your husband and you will make. Go for it girl. Lots of love, Sue McQueen.

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    • It’s unconditional that’s for sure. Hopefully they have watched and paid attention to me support him through this. If we can teach them from this that life is precious, beautiful and extraordinary, then I will be happy.
      Thank you, Sue.
      N xx

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  • Oh Ness, I am wishing you the very happiest of birthdays, the best possible surgical outcome for both you and the love of your life, and a speedy and uneventful recovery for the two of you. Please know that you will be in my prayers daily and never far from my thoughts as you and Mic make your way though this journey. You continue to inspire and amaze me with your beautiful heart and soul. Hugs to you, sweet friend. xoxo

    Reply
    • Thank you, thank you for your thoughts and prayers…we will need them. I really appreciate your message.
      Thank you xx

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  • Ness, my thoughts will be with you and your family during this time. It is amazing and wonderful that you just happened to be a match! I hope both of you have speedy recoveries and your family is celebrating that soon! Of course we will be waiting to hear how everyone is doing once you are in a position to be able to post. Take care!

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    • I know. It still blows me away.
      Hoping for a fast recovery for us both too. I will be sure to do an update.
      Thank you xx

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  • It has been 18 months since my husband received one of my kidneys. We both have enjoyed great health since. I marvel that medicine has advanced to the point where completely unrelated individuals can share an organ and fantastic health can ensue. Hoping your match is as successful as ours has been so far (touch wood). xx

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    • HI Karen,
      I am SO happy to hear that you are both doing well. I hope ours is a huge success too. Stay well xx

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  • Dear Ness, I will be thinking of you, Mic and the boys and sending bucketloads of positive healing vibes and wishes your way over the coming weeks and months. Amazing that you are a match! Take care, Mel xxxxxxxxxx

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    • Thank you gorgeous Mel. The answer was right here all along 🙂 Ness xx

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  • Ohh Ness – so much happening for you all. I send all my love, strength and recovery vibes your way for you and Mick. What a gift you can give – but also challenging times for you both. Take extra care – I wish I was nearer you guys – I’d cook up some healing soups for you all! Will be thinking of you both on the 28th – J xx

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    • Thank you so much Jos. I’m completely ready for it, and I know that Mic is too. I appreciate your wishes for us.
      Mwah! xx

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  • Super excited for you both and we are all here to help. I’ll be seeing a lot more of you guys when you get back.

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    • Thank you so much xx

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  • sending every bit of love, strength and healing thoughts both your way ness xxx

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    • Thank you so very much xx

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  • Good luck Ness to you and your husband, will keep you both in my thoughts and prayers, what a beautiful thing you are doing. Chris Azzopardi.

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    • Thank you so much. We really appreciate it xx

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  • First time commenter but long time admirer. You really are a special lady, Ness! Praying hard for a successful outcome.

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    • thank you so much xx

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  • THANK YOU so much for talking about kidney disease . My lovely daughter was diagnosed with Polycystic Kidney Disease 3 months after she got married. You are correct there were no symptoms. She thought she was having abdominal pain and a ultrasound was done and results were negative. Pain continued and a MRI was done and they found cysts on her kidneys and liver. This disease is genetic but we are all negative . Turns out hers was a mutation. There is no treatment nor a cure . She will eventually need a kidney transplant ( or dialysis). So, thank you for encouraging people to have themselves checked and also for informing people about Kidney Disease. Maybe a treatment or a cure will be found for PKD. Thank you. Love your site.

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    • Good luck with your Daughters journey. It’s so important to have a yearly checkup that includes a kidney function test, I just wish more people would realise how important they are. My wish is that more people will put their hands up to become live donors…it has been the best gift I have ever done. Thank you for stopping by xx

      Reply

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