Still in Search of a Kidney Donor

Dear Nation Readers,

Hello, my name is Yvonne Bosum and I am from the Ouje-Bougoumou Cree Nation. I am 36 years old, and have a wonderful son who is 9 years old. At the moment I live in Fort-St-James, British Columbia. I know I am miles away from my family, and it is not easy for me at the moment. Five years ago I was diagnosed with kidney failure; both of my kidneys failed on me and now only 20 per cent of each kidney works. I used to be on the peritoneal home machine that cleans my system every night for 10 hours, but now my doctor had to put me on the dialysis machine, because my kidneys and body are getting weaker.

Not too long ago, before my doctor was going to put me on the machine, I was planning to come home and live with my family. But my doctor decided it was best that I go on the dialysis machine soon. For about a month or two I was traveling to Prince George, BC, which is two hours away from Fort St-James, to do my dialysis every second day. I would drive myself to the hospital every second day, but after my dialysis I would become very tired. I was afraid to drive home sometimes, thinking that I would fall asleep at the wheel. It came to a point where I couldn’t take it anymore driving every second day to Prince George. So, I finally decided to move to Prince George, where I would be closer to the hospital.

Having this life is very difficult for me and frustrating because there are days where I get really sick and end up going and staying in the hospital for a couple of days. I am always in and out of the hospital and I get tired of going there sometimes. I wonder if it will be my last visit to the hospital, because my kidneys are getting weaker. I cannot survive on the dialysis machine for the rest of my life.

I need a kidney donor, and I am desperately searching for one. I would do anything to live till I’m old, for the sake of my only child. I have put my name on the British Columbia donors’ list, but so far I haven’t had much luck and the waiting list is really long. It may take years before I could get a kidney, that’s if I survive that long. My family back home did get tested to see if they can donate their kidneys, but unfortunately their blood types do not match. I am afraid of dying because I don’t want to leave my son, I want to live to see him grow up, and have a family of his own. It is my son that makes me live everyday; he is the world to me. As it is for every mother who hopes to live as long as they can to see their own children grow to be somebody very important.

I am writing to all of you, if you would be willing to help me out, I am in search of a person who is willing to donate their kidney to me. I am Blood type O, anyone who has blood type O - or O + would be a match for me. If you are thinking about it, I can give a number of a friend of mine who donated a kidney to her mom, and is now living with one kidney and she is doing great. Her mom is also living a better life thanks to her daughter who donated the kidney. That is my one wish in life, is to find a kidney donor so I will know that I will live longer and grow old with my son. Please call (418) 745-2194 and ask for Suzanne or (418) 745-2418 for Rachel.

God, I pray that You bless this letter. I pray that I will see a miracle one day. A day where my body will be renewed by your power and holy spirit. Bless those that even think or even wish that they could help me out. I thank you.

If you would like to call to talk to me, I can be reached at (250) 996-5018 (remember that BC time is three hours behind). I thank you for your support and for helping me out. God knows how much I will appreciate you people who support each other, through difficult times of life, no matter who and where we are.

Yvonne Bosum

Prince George, BC