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Inspirational writer Amy Clipston is lucky to be alive. Recently, her SUV was sandwiched between two tractor-trailers after she merged onto a North Carolina Highway.
"I looked up in the rearview mirror and saw the tractor-trailer bearing down on me, and my first thought was, 'He's not stopping,'" Amy says. "I remember the impact of the truck hitting my little SUV and the sound of the back glass of my SUV shattering. I looked straight and saw my SUV roaring toward the tractor-trailer in front of me. Then my thought was, 'This is it. I'll never see my boys again.' After that, I remember my SUV coming to a stop at the side of the road. I don't remember the impact of my SUV hitting the tractor-trailer. I'm not sure if I blocked the memory, but I don't think I passed out. As far as I know, my head didn't hit anything. My seat broke and reclined, and my seatbelt broke at the buckle. My legs hit the dash, and I had a hematoma in my right leg. My legs hurt so badly that I thought they were broken. However, I walked away with no broken bones."
Most importantly, her injuries will not affect her ability to donate a kidney to her husband.
"I want to be his donor. I was a match in 2004. Since I have type O blood, I can donate to anyone. However, since this is his second transplant, it may be harder to find a match. His body has built up anti-bodies to fight 'foreign issue.' I have said I would be willing to give someone else a kidney in exchange for a kidney for Joe. This will help our changes of finding a donor. He is currently on dialysis. His first transplant was on March 29, 2004. Our youngest, Matthew, was born on March 25, 2005, almost a year to the date. Joe was on peritoneal dialysis from March 2003 until the transplant in 2004. He's now back on PD. We're working with UNC Chapel Hill for a transplant, but we haven't even gotten to donor testing. It's a lot of waiting for appointments. His first evaluation appointment was August 12, 2008. Joe has good days and bad days. He was in bad shape the day he had outpatient surgery to have the catheter placed in his abdomen for PD. He wound up in the hospital for 6 days and received two blood transfusions. He's better now, but he has days where he's very worn out and has stomach problems."
Dialysis is not as good as having a working kidney.
"He can stay on dialysis for years and years, but it's not fun. He has to hook up to a machine via his catheter, and it runs all night long. It's uncomfortable and sometimes painful. He'll still work a full day and live a 'normal' life, but it's not the best situation," Amy admits. "I won't be tested until Joe finishes his evaluations, as per my insurance company. We're not sure when donor testing will be, but we hope it will be this year. We have two boys – Zac (7) and Matt (3). This doesn't affect my choices at all. I will live a normal life, and the risks are small. I have a very good friend who gave her hubby a kidney in 2005 and then had a baby girl. She's doing great, and her hubby is as well."
A kidney transplant for Joe, though, is not completely covered by insurance.
"Our out-of-pocket just for Joe's transplant (not including the donor) will be a few thousand dollars. He qualifies for Medicare due to his kidney failure, and while Medicare isn't free, it will cover most of what my insurance won't cover. However, that doesn't count our lost wages. Disability will only pay a fraction of our wages, and Joe will have to return to work as 'light duty' for a while. Since he makes commission as an auto body tech, money will be tight. I have faith that we'll make it somehow. All that matters is his health," Amy explains. "Joe is my hero. He has the best outlook and attitude of anyone I know. He's never asked 'Why me?' or felt sorry for himself. He always says that we'll get through this. He's a true inspiration in my life."
Facing a second kidney transplant is not easy, but Amy has found ways to deal with each challenge.
"I hold onto my faith. It may sound cliché, but it works. I truly believe that is a reason why I survived that accident. My little SUV was totaled -- the roof buckled, the frame rails were shot, the front-end and rear-end were crushed, the seat and seat belt broke, and my air bag did not deploy. A friend who drove by the accident on the bus I ride every day said she was sure someone died after seeing my little truck. I'm here for a reason, and I believe Joe and I will get through this rough patch and come out with an even stronger marriage," Amy reassures, "I also believe there's a reason why I'm Type 'O' and able to donate an organ and blood to those in need. I want to be an advocate for organ donation; I feel this is my calling."
Her second calling is writing inspirational and romance novels. Amy's website is www.amyclipston.com and her upcoming book will be released in the Spring 2009. "REBECCA'S HOPE" is an inspirational novel set in Amish Country in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Zondervan is publishing the book.
As an inspirational writer, Amy's writing provides an outlet in dealing with everything at home.
"If I don't have time to write, I feel like I'm going to lose my mind. I stay up late at night writing, and it's cathartic. I can 'escape' into my little world of Lancaster County."
Amy has also found a way to promote organ donation through her website with www.donatelife.net.
"Life is a gift; being healthy is a privilege. Donate blood if you're able," Amy reminds. "I saw first hand what a gift that is when my husband received two transfusions while in the hospital in July. If you can find it in your heart, become a donor. If you want to take a step further, consider donating an organ while you're still alive. While the process of donation has its risks, you will give the ultimate gift to another person – health and a chance at a 'normal' life. "
Amy believes so much in organ donation, there is a pink dot on her driver's license as she encourages others to do the same.
"As the famous saying goes, 'Don't take your organs to heaven. Heaven knows we need them here.' If more folks donated organs then the waiting list would be much, much shorter for those in need."
At the end of the day, many things keep Amy's emotions afloat for her family.
"I do think writing is a great outlet for me, and I would encourage others who love to write to journal. Joe's a car nut, and his outlet is to go out to his garage and tinker on one of his projects. I would encourage others to find their outlet and do what makes them happy, whether it's writing, working on cars, painting or something else." Amy adds, "Praying also is a wonderful way to clear your mind. Just open your heart and unload all of the stress off your shoulders."
For more information on Amy Clipston visit www.amyclipston.com.
Pictured: Inspirational writer Amy Clipston, her husband Joe and children Zac and Matt.
"I looked up in the rearview mirror and saw the tractor-trailer bearing down on me, and my first thought was, 'He's not stopping,'" Amy says. "I remember the impact of the truck hitting my little SUV and the sound of the back glass of my SUV shattering. I looked straight and saw my SUV roaring toward the tractor-trailer in front of me. Then my thought was, 'This is it. I'll never see my boys again.' After that, I remember my SUV coming to a stop at the side of the road. I don't remember the impact of my SUV hitting the tractor-trailer. I'm not sure if I blocked the memory, but I don't think I passed out. As far as I know, my head didn't hit anything. My seat broke and reclined, and my seatbelt broke at the buckle. My legs hit the dash, and I had a hematoma in my right leg. My legs hurt so badly that I thought they were broken. However, I walked away with no broken bones."
Most importantly, her injuries will not affect her ability to donate a kidney to her husband.
"I want to be his donor. I was a match in 2004. Since I have type O blood, I can donate to anyone. However, since this is his second transplant, it may be harder to find a match. His body has built up anti-bodies to fight 'foreign issue.' I have said I would be willing to give someone else a kidney in exchange for a kidney for Joe. This will help our changes of finding a donor. He is currently on dialysis. His first transplant was on March 29, 2004. Our youngest, Matthew, was born on March 25, 2005, almost a year to the date. Joe was on peritoneal dialysis from March 2003 until the transplant in 2004. He's now back on PD. We're working with UNC Chapel Hill for a transplant, but we haven't even gotten to donor testing. It's a lot of waiting for appointments. His first evaluation appointment was August 12, 2008. Joe has good days and bad days. He was in bad shape the day he had outpatient surgery to have the catheter placed in his abdomen for PD. He wound up in the hospital for 6 days and received two blood transfusions. He's better now, but he has days where he's very worn out and has stomach problems."
Dialysis is not as good as having a working kidney.
"He can stay on dialysis for years and years, but it's not fun. He has to hook up to a machine via his catheter, and it runs all night long. It's uncomfortable and sometimes painful. He'll still work a full day and live a 'normal' life, but it's not the best situation," Amy admits. "I won't be tested until Joe finishes his evaluations, as per my insurance company. We're not sure when donor testing will be, but we hope it will be this year. We have two boys – Zac (7) and Matt (3). This doesn't affect my choices at all. I will live a normal life, and the risks are small. I have a very good friend who gave her hubby a kidney in 2005 and then had a baby girl. She's doing great, and her hubby is as well."
A kidney transplant for Joe, though, is not completely covered by insurance.
"Our out-of-pocket just for Joe's transplant (not including the donor) will be a few thousand dollars. He qualifies for Medicare due to his kidney failure, and while Medicare isn't free, it will cover most of what my insurance won't cover. However, that doesn't count our lost wages. Disability will only pay a fraction of our wages, and Joe will have to return to work as 'light duty' for a while. Since he makes commission as an auto body tech, money will be tight. I have faith that we'll make it somehow. All that matters is his health," Amy explains. "Joe is my hero. He has the best outlook and attitude of anyone I know. He's never asked 'Why me?' or felt sorry for himself. He always says that we'll get through this. He's a true inspiration in my life."
Facing a second kidney transplant is not easy, but Amy has found ways to deal with each challenge.
"I hold onto my faith. It may sound cliché, but it works. I truly believe that is a reason why I survived that accident. My little SUV was totaled -- the roof buckled, the frame rails were shot, the front-end and rear-end were crushed, the seat and seat belt broke, and my air bag did not deploy. A friend who drove by the accident on the bus I ride every day said she was sure someone died after seeing my little truck. I'm here for a reason, and I believe Joe and I will get through this rough patch and come out with an even stronger marriage," Amy reassures, "I also believe there's a reason why I'm Type 'O' and able to donate an organ and blood to those in need. I want to be an advocate for organ donation; I feel this is my calling."
Her second calling is writing inspirational and romance novels. Amy's website is www.amyclipston.com and her upcoming book will be released in the Spring 2009. "REBECCA'S HOPE" is an inspirational novel set in Amish Country in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Zondervan is publishing the book.
As an inspirational writer, Amy's writing provides an outlet in dealing with everything at home.
"If I don't have time to write, I feel like I'm going to lose my mind. I stay up late at night writing, and it's cathartic. I can 'escape' into my little world of Lancaster County."
Amy has also found a way to promote organ donation through her website with www.donatelife.net.
"Life is a gift; being healthy is a privilege. Donate blood if you're able," Amy reminds. "I saw first hand what a gift that is when my husband received two transfusions while in the hospital in July. If you can find it in your heart, become a donor. If you want to take a step further, consider donating an organ while you're still alive. While the process of donation has its risks, you will give the ultimate gift to another person – health and a chance at a 'normal' life. "
Amy believes so much in organ donation, there is a pink dot on her driver's license as she encourages others to do the same.
"As the famous saying goes, 'Don't take your organs to heaven. Heaven knows we need them here.' If more folks donated organs then the waiting list would be much, much shorter for those in need."
At the end of the day, many things keep Amy's emotions afloat for her family.
"I do think writing is a great outlet for me, and I would encourage others who love to write to journal. Joe's a car nut, and his outlet is to go out to his garage and tinker on one of his projects. I would encourage others to find their outlet and do what makes them happy, whether it's writing, working on cars, painting or something else." Amy adds, "Praying also is a wonderful way to clear your mind. Just open your heart and unload all of the stress off your shoulders."
For more information on Amy Clipston visit www.amyclipston.com.
Pictured: Inspirational writer Amy Clipston, her husband Joe and children Zac and Matt.
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