Second Anniversary - Dates in a Life: Kidney Donation

Two years ago today, on December 17, 2019, I donated my left kidney to someone I don't know, in exchange for my son getting his new kidney from someone else (who we didn't know at the time but we do now!) in October of that year.

I documented my journey by making three paintings. The first was Dates in a Life: Kidney Donor Testing, 

This painting, Dates in a Life: Kidney Donation, documented finding a recipient for my kidney, a donor being found for my son and his receiving a new kidney in Seattle near the end of October 2019, many calls and emails to my medical team, talking to people who have received or donated a kidney, the date in December 1975 when my father died after he got his kidney transplant but didn't live long enough to be released from the hospital, having my donation surgery in Seattle on December 17, 2019 and my recuperation in Seattle until December 27th, and then at home in Natick, MA through February 23, 2020 when the second painting was finished. 

I also made a third painting, Dates in a Life: Kidney Donor Anniversary documented the year after I donated.

Anniversary: Dates in a Life: Kidney Donor Testing

Today is the two year anniversary of my son getting a new kidney.

Here is the painting I made that documented my testing so I could (hopefully at the time) donate my kidney in exchange for him getting his.

The data collection started on December 20, 2018 when I applied to be a kidney donor. There are symbols in the painting that represent applying, each medical test (urine, blood, x-rays, and scans), phone calls or emails with the medical team about testing, travel from Boston to Seattle to the hospital for some of the tests, talking to kidney donors and recipients, and just passing time while I went through the process, through July 23, 2019 when I was approved, are reflected in this painting, Dates in a Life: Kidney Donor Testing. 

Congrats to my son for this two year milestone and MANY thanks to his donor! I am especially grateful to her for her generosity!

Greeting Cards

Here are greeting cards of my painting, Rash Under the Surgical Tape, that the New England chapter of the National Kidney Foundation made as a gift for those attending their virtual Gala  and transplant patients. I lent them the image to help share awareness and art about kidney donation.

The Story of Three Kidney Donation Paintings

Here are three paintings, that cover two days short of two years, documenting my kidney donation journey.

On December 20, 2018 I applied to be a kidney donor, in exchange for a kidney for my son, who does not share my blood type. I was approved on July 23, 2019. All of my testing, emails and calls, talking to others, and waiting is reflected in my first painting, Dates in a Life: Kidney Donor Testing.

My second painting, Dates in a Life: Kidney Donation, documents finding a recipient for my kidney, a donor being found for my son and his receiving a new kidney in Seattle near the end of October 2019, many calls and emails to my medical team, talking to people who have received or donated a kidney, having my surgery in Seattle on December 17, 2019 and my recuperation in Seattle until December 27th, and then at home in Natick, MA through February 23rd when the second painting was finished.

I wasn't planning on making a third painting, but then decided I should to show how unremarkable it's been since I've recuperated. Dates in a Life: Kidney Donor Anniversary documents time from February 23, 2020 through December 18, 2020. It shows one medical test, a 6-month followup appointment with a member of my medical team, my son’s surgery anniversary, meeting his kidney donor, donating blood twice, the 45th anniversary of my father dying after his failed kidney transplant, my one-year donation anniversary, and just passing time as I continue with my life after I donated.

Work in Progress - Dates in a Life: Kidney Donor Anniversary

 

Today, December 17, 2020 is the one year anniversary of my donating my left kidney.

My Dates in a Life: Kidney Donor Anniversary painting starts in the upper left corner on February 23, 2020, the same day I finished my Dates in a Life: Kidney Donation painting. 

I documented each day, which includes passing time, my 6-month blood and urine tests and post-op appointment to review how I'm doing, I marked milestones on the 17th of each month, the one year anniversary of my son receiving his kidney, the day we met his donor online, the two times I donated blood, the 45th anniversary of my father dying after his failed kidney transplant, and my one year anniversary (in the lower right corner). I also painted silver lines under each square to signify when Covid hit Massachusetts from March 15th through now, because I’m doing the same thing on my Dates in a Life Walking Project 2020 painting, which documents the number of steps I walk each day. 

I'll finish this painting after tomorrow, clean up the final photo, and share it again.

This year was pretty unremarkable in terms of healing after donating. I feel the same as before I donated, and my only physical reminder, one year later, is my vertical 3-4" scar above and slightly below my belly button. I am so glad I was able to donate, and I am very thankful that I had my husband by my side through the whole process. It's been quite a moving journey for both of us. I am also thankful for friends, family and coworkers who supported me as well.

More Work in Progress - Dates in a Life: Kidney Donor Anniversary

I had a little studio time last night and got to paint the black border around three of four sides on my Dates in a Life: Kidney Donor Anniversary painting. 

I have documented each day since February 23 through last Friday, December 4. I’ll collage more icons on for this week soon, and will add more until the day after my December 17 anniversary to finish the row, unless my recipient contacts me before then. Then I’ll continue more rows.

More Work in Progress - Dates in a Life: Kidney Donor Anniversary

I took advantage of yesterday being a stormy day and skipped my walk so I had some extended studio time. I collaged all of the stamped icons on my Dates in a Life: Kidney Donor Anniversary painting through yesterday’s space. Then I added paint on specific days worth documenting, and painted silver under each square to signify when Covid hit hard in Massachusetts on March 15 through now. I’m doing the same thing on my 2020 Walking painting.

Here’s what I’m documenting: start at Feb 23, 2020; columns = 12; end Dec 18, 2020 = 300; 25 rows; start + end direction shape = 2; arrows in box = 287; 17th anniversary date shapes = 10; my son’s surgery anniversary and meeting his donor = 2 stamps 2 shapes; donated blood = 2 stamps 1 shape; the 45th anniversary of my father dying after his kidney transplant = 1.

My one year transplant anniversary is December 17 in the bottom right corner. While I am mostly finished, I’m waiting until December 18, which ends that row, unless my recipient contacts me before then. Then I might add more weeks/rows. 

More Work in Progress - Dates in a Life: Kidney Donor Anniversary

I’m doing more collaging of stamped icons on my Dates in a Life: Kidney Donor Anniversary painting, the third in the series. 

Here’s what I’m documenting: start at Feb 23, 2020; columns = 12; end Dec 18, 2020 = 300; 25 rows; start + end direction shape = 2; arrows in box = 287; 17th anniversary date shapes = 10; my son’s surgery anniversary and meeting his donor = 2 stamps 2 shapes; donated blood = 2 stamps 1 shape; the 45th anniversary of my father dying after his kidney transplant = 1.

My one year transplant anniversary is December 17. I should have this painting mostly finished way before then and will finish it the next day, unless my recipient contacts me before then. Then I might add more weeks/rows.

Work in Progress - Dates in a Life: Kidney Donor Anniversary

I’m finally collaging stamped icons on my Dates in a Life: Kidney Donor Anniversary painting, the third in the series. 

Here’s the plan: start at Feb 23, 2020; columns = 12; end Dec 18, 2020 = 300; 25 rows; start + end direction shape = 2; arrows in box = 287; 17th anniversary date shapes = 10; my son’s one year surgery date and and meeting my son’s donor = 2 stamps 1 shape. 

Shown here are all of my surgery anniversary dates from March through December 2020, and meeting my son’s donor, and his one year surgery anniversary date.

Dates in a Life: Kidney Donor Anniversary Painting Planning

 

I want to make a Dates in a Life: Kidney Donor Anniversary painting, my third in the series, but I’m having a lot of trouble getting motivated. Last night I did the math and here’s what I need: 

start on Feb 23, 2020

columns = 12

end Dec 18, 2020 = 300

25 rows

start + end direction shape = 2

arrows in box = 287

17th anniversary date shapes each month = 10

and meeting my son's donor = 1 shape

Then I hand stamped 20 of the needed 287 arrows in box shapes and stopped because I’m tired and should go to bed. Maybe I’ll have more motivation for this soon.

New Work in Progress

 

I’m working on a new painting after not doing any artwork for well over a month. I’ve been trying to walk and be outside as much as possible while the weather is good. I fear it’s going to feel like a very long winter because of Covid and that I better enjoy the fall and almost springlike New England weather while I can.

Dates in a Life: Kidney Donation Anniversary will document my time after donating my kidney. My last (and second) painting about my donation ended on February 23, 2020. This one will start there and go through at least my anniversary date of December 17th. Stay tuned.

New Work in Progress: Blood Donation Painting

I've been working on my blood donation painting, trying different layouts, like this one. I also  experimented with the square shapes tighter, but I think I'll go with this more spread out view.

I decided to make this painting because after donating my kidney in October 2019, I want to do more to physically help others, and I decided to give blood.

 

A few weeks after my blood donation, I found out through the Red Cross that my blood was sent to Holy Family Hospital in Methuen MA to help a patient in need. 

 

That's totally inspired me to donate again. I already have my next appointment scheduled.

The next step in this painting is to attach all the square shapes to the red gridded background. Then additional steps afterward.

National Kidney Foundation of New England

I am excited that my artwork is being highlighted at the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) of New England's Honors Gala, and that it's also on the cover of the  program.

Because of Covid-19, the Gala is virtual this week, from August 17-21, 2020. During the program, Amy Brooks, my friend and neighbor, and a kidney recipient herself, tells my donation story and shows a number of my paintings.

If you feel so inclined, please consider making a donation to the National Kidney Foundation of New England.

Thank you very much to the NKF, and Amy, for giving me the opportunity!

National Kidney Foundation of New England's Honors Gala program

I am excited that my artwork is on the cover of the National Kidney Foundation (NKF) of New England's Honors Gala program.

Because of Covid-19, the Gala going to be virtual the week of August 17-21, 2020. During the program, Amy Brooks, my friend and neighbor, and a kidney recipient herself, will tell my donation story and show a number of my paintings. I'll share the direct link when it's available.

Thank you very much to the NKF, and Amy, for giving me the opportunity!

New Work: Observation After Six Months: Bike

Observation After Six Months: Bike

Mixed media on stiffened fabric

13.75” x 9.75”

2020

After not riding a bike since 1984, I am now a new bike owner and rider. Since I donated my kidney six months ago, I decided if I was brave enough to do that, I needed to get over my fear of bike riding. Observation After Six Months: Bike is companion piece to Observation After Surgery: Laundry (below). The round shape of the bike tire and laundry agitator in the center of both paintings represent my belly button, and the stitched line represents my scar which ends just below my belly button, as it heals over time.

Observation After Surgery: Laundry

Mixed media on stiffened fabric

13” x 9.5”

2020

Update on New Work in Progress

An update on new work in progress: The acrylic skin photo of my new bike has been collaged on top of monoprinted, stitched and stiffened construction fence fabric. When it dries, I'll make the finishing touches on it. I'm making it because I figured, after donating a kidney 6 months ago, I needed to try to get over my fear of bike riding. It's companion piece to another painting I made after donating, which I'll share with an explanation when I finish this one.

New Work in Progress

New work in progress: After not riding a bike since 1984, I am now a new bike owner and rider. I’m making a new painting about it. Since I donated my kidney almost 6 months ago, I decided to try to get over my fear of bike riding. This photo is an acrylic skin of my bike that will be collaged on top of monoprinted construction fence fabric. Stay tuned.

New work: Pandemic Face Masks #9-14

New work, Pandemic Face Masks #9-14, in my new series of wearable paintings, made from unused fabric I've had sitting around my studio. Each mask is made in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, is created with monoprinted fabric of textures of construction fences and mixed media techniques.

Pandemic Face Mask #12 (above) acknowledges the 4-month anniversary, on April 17, 2020, of my donating my left kidney, and how I hope that my son who received his kidney in exchange for my donation, and my recipient, will be be safe and well during and after the Covid-19 pandemic.

New Work/New Series in Progress: Bumps in the Road

New series of work in progress, with a possible name of Bumps in the Road. Made with collaged monoprinted fabric scraps that are stitched on the removable cups from my bras. This might be too much info but I hate those things so I remove them. I have a stack of 14 and I’m going to have some fun playing around. Between healing from donating my kidney, and now working from home, I’ve given up underwire bras for the sake of comfort. Stay tuned!

New Work: Chain of 6 and Counting

My understanding is that it started with an altruistic kidney donor at the University of Washington Hospital in Seattle sometime in the early fall of 2019. The donor for the recipient donated their kidney to my son in October, and I, as my son’s indirect donor, donated my kidney, in Seattle in December, to a woman named Ruth in Wisconsin. As of February 2020, I have not heard if and when Ruth’s indirect donor had their surgery. If I do hear, I will either update this painting or create a second one.

Chain of 6 and Counting is mixed media on stiffened fabric, and it measures 17.25” x 14.25”.