Judy's Story

My name is Judy Robbins. I'm a native of Nebraska and celebrated 52 years of life on June 17, 2014. I must admit life isn't always a bowl of strawberries and cherries. Sometimes it's sour lemons and plums.

In 1985, I started to experience some sour lemons and was diagnosed with Chronic Renal Failure. I started on peritoneal dialysis (did that approximately 2-3 months); endured hemodialysis for 10 years; received my first transplant, which lasted for 9 years; and now, I am currently receiving in-center hemodialysis again on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays as I await another kidney transplant.

I don't care for sour lemons and plums; they leave a bad taste in your mouth. So I spend time with my family as much as possible. We enjoy going to the zoo, outside activities when weather permits, cooking, baking and, of course, eating. Sometimes we enjoy just sitting around, laughing and talking. My wonderful husband of 25 years makes me feel special. He's always in my corner. He has turned the sour lemons and plums into sweet berries and cherries. Along with my faith and the support of my family, I can do all things. I have renal failure, but it DOES NOT have me.

My good days outweigh my bad days, so I won't complain. I continue to stay positive, taking one day at a time, and I continue to become educated about what I'm experiencing. I always ask questions if I do not understand, even if I have asked them five times before. To me, the end of the road is when you are no longer taking breaths; as long as you can breathe--remember to breathe. Sometimes you may have to take deep breaths to get through the next moment or day. Just remember to be thankful you are breathing. Believe it or not, there is always someone who is worse off than you are, and having that, I've turned my sour lemons and plums into sweet ones. It is true they are not sweet every day, but I take it as they come. This means that every Monday, Wednesday and Friday is not "hi o cherry o," but I keep it moving by cherishing things that I love and loving what I do.