Maniscalco Kidney Fund
Donation protected
Some of you may know that my Brother, Kyle Maniscalco, has Type 1 Diabetes and was diagnosed at the age of five. Growing up it was his ‘normal’ and our Mom did everything she could to protect him but also to allow him to live like other kids. There were many nights that he would wake up in the middle of the night with low blood sugar. Sometimes he would be so low that he would go into what I refer as ‘the diabetic rage.’ Sometimes he would not even remember being so low or so irate when he was in that stage. I have seen the highs and low of Diabetes. However, this is my Brother’s reality-EVERYDAY. High blood pressure, uncontrollable blood sugar and life led my Brother’s kidney failure.
Our family has not had the easiest road the last few years. We lost our cousin Devon, tragically, and my Brother was living with Devon at the time. It was a very tragic accident and took his life when he was just beginning it. The loss was beyond devastating to our family and took a toll on Kyle’s health. It was a very hard time and 6 years later and he is missed dearly. All while this happened, our Mother was not in the best health.
Our Mom had been quite sick and years prior to her passing were hard and breaks my heart that she was so sick, and we were helpless. My Mom always told me to follow my gut and this was part of the reason I moved back from LSU. I wanted to be close to my Mom, especially as I knew her health was not the best.
Everyone (including the Doctors) always made comments that she ‘was not that sick’ but I saw it, each day. My sister, brother and I saw our Best Friend, Warrior and our dearest Moms’ health deteriorate. It was hard to not only see this, but we learned and became caregivers to our dearest Mom. Growing up my Mom was a single Mom, she worked 3-4 jobs to take care of us. I have never met someone so self-less. Her strength, courage, and beauty I admire. I see the sacrifices, she made daily, to give us what we have.
The last 2 years were hard for her. She spent many days, weeks and months in medical facilities, acute care centers, and rehab centers. My first year with Colin, most of our dates were spent visiting or taking care of my Mom. But we got to celebrate good times too, I took her to her last George Strait concert. Gosh, that day still makes my heart sing. Jessica, Kyle and I spent many days: talking with my Mom, combing her hair, painting her nails, putting together puzzles, reading with her, laughing about memories and enjoying the small moments in life.
My mom insisted on getting out before Christmas and of course she did. We spent her last Christmas in Trinidad. She was home and surrounded by everyone she loves, granted we did not know it would be our last with her. January and February were difficult, and she spent half of her time here in Colorado Springs and half in Trinidad. The 22-year-old me did not know that I would cherish the memories forever in that time in my life. We lost our Mom on February 17, 2015. The hardest day of my life. Losing my Mother was the worst thing I have gone through; but I am thankful to have two siblings, Kyle and Jessica, as we really held on to each other during that time.
I am beyond thankful and beyond blessed for everyone that has helped me through these hard times in life, especially, my rock, Colin. It has not been easy, but it is our journey. I am telling this not for pity but to share the road that has led us to today.
The loss of Mom affected Kyle’s health and led to uncontrollable blood pressure and ultimately aided in his kidney failure. He has been on dialysis for 3 years, has had countless surgeries on his eyes and fistula. He has been on the deceased organ list for a kidney and a kidney-pancreas combination for 3 years and has not moved closer to getting a deceased Donor.
Testing and going through the Donor process has been a long journey and a frustrating one at that. I have learned how horrible our health care system is and that this not much funding for an Organ Donor. The industry has considered it as sharing ‘your spare’. Anyone knows it is not in fact a spare as your body uses it function every day.
As I am happy, nervous, anxious and blessed be giving the gift of Life to my Brother. There are real life struggles that come with the process. Those that do not know, I switched Employers in May and when making such a decision; unfortunately, I did not think/cross my mind about the financial decisions of Transplant surgery as I was still testing to become a Donor. In short, I will be taking 4-6 weeks as unpaid leave. Thankfully, my Brother’s short-term disability kicks in on day 7. But he will have to find short-term housing for 2 weeks up to a month in Aurora for him. Beyond that there a lot of other expenses that we both will be affected by during recovery.
I have learned a lot about my health and some tests show early signs of cervical cancer. I have learned and talked with my Team about the high risks of pregnancy in the future. These are very personal matters, but I do think this important for Living Donors to be able to talk about the risks that they take to help someone. In this case, I am lucky to be helping my Brother, even though it is a very scary and unknown process. I am risking my life to give him more years and quality of life back. I am no hero, but this process has showed me that the journey is not always easy. I have had days where all I do is cry because I do not know what my new ‘normal’ will be post-surgery. However, I have Faith that I am capable of this. I get strength by being able to have my Brother many more years to come. Even if he drives me crazy or if we cannot see eye-to-eye, I would much rather have him here than not.
I share so much to allow you to be part of our journey. This major life event will have big impacts on both of us but also our families. As we are gearing up to surgery January 3, 2020 at UC Health Transplant Denver in Aurora. I ask for prayer warriors to send guidance, good vibes and lots of love and positive thoughts our way. There is a chance my kidney may not work in his body and I pray, pray, pray this does not happen but is always a factor that needs to be considered.
I have spent a lot of nights thinking and praying. It is not easy to talk about the challenging times in life but to share your very vulnerable times in life is even more difficult. I am not one to ask for aid, but anything will be appreciated during this journey. If you cannot help financially, we will both be needing lots of emotional, prayers spiritual, and physical help. While we are both recovering it will be nice to have visitors!As always thanks for being in our life and wish us luck!
Our family has not had the easiest road the last few years. We lost our cousin Devon, tragically, and my Brother was living with Devon at the time. It was a very tragic accident and took his life when he was just beginning it. The loss was beyond devastating to our family and took a toll on Kyle’s health. It was a very hard time and 6 years later and he is missed dearly. All while this happened, our Mother was not in the best health.
Our Mom had been quite sick and years prior to her passing were hard and breaks my heart that she was so sick, and we were helpless. My Mom always told me to follow my gut and this was part of the reason I moved back from LSU. I wanted to be close to my Mom, especially as I knew her health was not the best.
Everyone (including the Doctors) always made comments that she ‘was not that sick’ but I saw it, each day. My sister, brother and I saw our Best Friend, Warrior and our dearest Moms’ health deteriorate. It was hard to not only see this, but we learned and became caregivers to our dearest Mom. Growing up my Mom was a single Mom, she worked 3-4 jobs to take care of us. I have never met someone so self-less. Her strength, courage, and beauty I admire. I see the sacrifices, she made daily, to give us what we have.
The last 2 years were hard for her. She spent many days, weeks and months in medical facilities, acute care centers, and rehab centers. My first year with Colin, most of our dates were spent visiting or taking care of my Mom. But we got to celebrate good times too, I took her to her last George Strait concert. Gosh, that day still makes my heart sing. Jessica, Kyle and I spent many days: talking with my Mom, combing her hair, painting her nails, putting together puzzles, reading with her, laughing about memories and enjoying the small moments in life.
My mom insisted on getting out before Christmas and of course she did. We spent her last Christmas in Trinidad. She was home and surrounded by everyone she loves, granted we did not know it would be our last with her. January and February were difficult, and she spent half of her time here in Colorado Springs and half in Trinidad. The 22-year-old me did not know that I would cherish the memories forever in that time in my life. We lost our Mom on February 17, 2015. The hardest day of my life. Losing my Mother was the worst thing I have gone through; but I am thankful to have two siblings, Kyle and Jessica, as we really held on to each other during that time.
I am beyond thankful and beyond blessed for everyone that has helped me through these hard times in life, especially, my rock, Colin. It has not been easy, but it is our journey. I am telling this not for pity but to share the road that has led us to today.
The loss of Mom affected Kyle’s health and led to uncontrollable blood pressure and ultimately aided in his kidney failure. He has been on dialysis for 3 years, has had countless surgeries on his eyes and fistula. He has been on the deceased organ list for a kidney and a kidney-pancreas combination for 3 years and has not moved closer to getting a deceased Donor.
Testing and going through the Donor process has been a long journey and a frustrating one at that. I have learned how horrible our health care system is and that this not much funding for an Organ Donor. The industry has considered it as sharing ‘your spare’. Anyone knows it is not in fact a spare as your body uses it function every day.
As I am happy, nervous, anxious and blessed be giving the gift of Life to my Brother. There are real life struggles that come with the process. Those that do not know, I switched Employers in May and when making such a decision; unfortunately, I did not think/cross my mind about the financial decisions of Transplant surgery as I was still testing to become a Donor. In short, I will be taking 4-6 weeks as unpaid leave. Thankfully, my Brother’s short-term disability kicks in on day 7. But he will have to find short-term housing for 2 weeks up to a month in Aurora for him. Beyond that there a lot of other expenses that we both will be affected by during recovery.
I have learned a lot about my health and some tests show early signs of cervical cancer. I have learned and talked with my Team about the high risks of pregnancy in the future. These are very personal matters, but I do think this important for Living Donors to be able to talk about the risks that they take to help someone. In this case, I am lucky to be helping my Brother, even though it is a very scary and unknown process. I am risking my life to give him more years and quality of life back. I am no hero, but this process has showed me that the journey is not always easy. I have had days where all I do is cry because I do not know what my new ‘normal’ will be post-surgery. However, I have Faith that I am capable of this. I get strength by being able to have my Brother many more years to come. Even if he drives me crazy or if we cannot see eye-to-eye, I would much rather have him here than not.
I share so much to allow you to be part of our journey. This major life event will have big impacts on both of us but also our families. As we are gearing up to surgery January 3, 2020 at UC Health Transplant Denver in Aurora. I ask for prayer warriors to send guidance, good vibes and lots of love and positive thoughts our way. There is a chance my kidney may not work in his body and I pray, pray, pray this does not happen but is always a factor that needs to be considered.
I have spent a lot of nights thinking and praying. It is not easy to talk about the challenging times in life but to share your very vulnerable times in life is even more difficult. I am not one to ask for aid, but anything will be appreciated during this journey. If you cannot help financially, we will both be needing lots of emotional, prayers spiritual, and physical help. While we are both recovering it will be nice to have visitors!As always thanks for being in our life and wish us luck!
Organizer
Ashley Maniscalco
Organizer
Colorado Springs, CO