Part of Me
Written by Kelly Goodman with Jennifer Brown
From the Archives: Winter 2013
In the fall of 2000, I was set to assist Saralyn again, but the school announced it had obtained funding to hire an assistant physical education teacher. I had already coached volleyball the year before, so when I was offered this position I struggled with the decision to leave Saralyn. I’ve always had a strong passion and love for sports, so when this opportunity presented itself, I knew it would probably not come around again any time soon. I was elated, yet riddled with sadness. Pursuing my “dream job” would mean that I would no longer be working with my dear friend.
With mixed emotions, I accepted my new job offer. I cried when I gathered my things and said goodbye to Saralyn. Though I only helped teach her class for a year, it felt like an eternity. Taking one last look around the classroom, I felt as though I had just been dropped off at summer camp, the first time away from my family, and homesick. She assured me we would still see each other and keep in touch.
Over the next couple of years, Saralyn was invited to my family functions and special events. She fit right in with my family and became good friends with my mom, Cindy Gore. Close in age to Mom, Saralyn started to confide in her and shared that she had inherited Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD). Her kidneys were failing. Saralyn was going to have to undergo a kidney transplant. Ideally, the physicians wanted to perform a transplant before she went on dialysis. When mom shared this news with me, without any hesitation I said, “I’m going to be tested to see if I’m a good match for Saralyn.” Mom smiled and told me she already knew in her heart before she shared the news with me, that I was going to do this.
Mom and Dad were both super supportive of my decision. They were proud of me as I “stepped up to the plate.” For the first time in my life, I listened to what God was telling me to do. In my earlier years, I ignored Him in the decisions that I made for myself, and things didn’t always work out so well.
I had made the decision. I refused to sit back and watch my sweet friend go downhill because I didn’t try. Even if not a good match for Saralyn, at least I would be at peace that I tried to help. I contacted Saralyn and told her that I felt led to try to help her. Saralyn hesitantly asked, “Are you sure?” I assured her that I couldn’t be more serious.
As I proceeded full steam ahead to try and help my friend, not everyone in my life supported my efforts. My former boyfriend, Johnny, (now my husband) called me and said, “What are you doing? You’re young, and you need to worry about your own health. I don’t want you to go through with this procedure.” I explained to Johnny that God told me to do this, and I was going to listen. I told him everything would be okay.
The test results arrived. I was a match! As the procedure began, I was the thirteenth person at Baptist Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC, to undergo laparoscopic kidney removal. Everything went smoothly as if God were orchestrating things perfectly through His hands, and He was.
Two weeks before the surgeries, Saralyn asked her doctor, “Out of pure curiosity, how close of a match are Jennifer and me?” The doctor glanced through his charts and asked if Saralyn and I were related. She told the doctor that we were not related, and with a puzzled look, he asked, “Not even distantly?” Saralyn replied, “No.” The doctor said that we were as closely matched as a sister or mother or father. When Saralyn shared this astonishing news with me, we both knew, beyond a shadow of doubt, that we were meant to be lifelong friends.
I’ve always believed in God, but this experience with Saralyn increased my faith tremendously. This divine encounter with my friend was truly a turning point in my life. I feel truly blessed by God.
After I learned to listen to God’s voice, other areas in my life began to fall into place like a well-written symphony. In April of 2006, the love of my life, Johnny Brown, asked me to be his wife. Johnny says looking back now he is proud of me, and thinks it’s amazing that I donated my kidney to Saralyn. He said it was probably meant to be that we were not dating at the time of the procedure, because he would have tried his best to talk me out of it.
I haven’t had any major health issues since my procedure; I’m not limited to anything. I continue to live a healthy, active lifestyle and Saralyn is doing fantastic, as well.
I have learned to trust God in all situations. God has blessed me with a truly amazing husband and two beautiful boys... we love them with all of our hearts. Mack is 6 years old and Mason is 1. Both boys are healthy, although we had a little scare with Mason. Mason was born prematurely; my water broke at 30 weeks. The doctors assured me that it was nothing that I had done wrong, “It just happens sometimes.” I was in the hospital for 3 1/2 weeks, and Johnny never left my side at Forsyth Medical Center. We had faith that everything would be okay, just like with Saralyn.
Baby Mason was born on February 22nd, 2012, weighing 4lbs, 10oz. He didn’t even have to be put on oxygen. Except for having to learn to suck and swallow at the same time, our baby was completely well. Two weeks after he was born, we were able to take him home. Mason is our miracle child.
I love how God works. Not only has He provided me with an amazing family, God has given me a huge network of support, the best friends anyone could ask for, terrific extended family members, an outstanding church family at Brushy Fork Baptist Church, and He’s blessed me with a wonderful occupation as Director of Blowing Rock Parks & Recreation. Through my new career I’ve formed countless heart-felt, lifelong camaraderies. Even though I’ve built several close relationships over the last several years, I’ll never forget the day I met Saralyn Kader. Some say she is blessed to have me, but I feel equally blessed to be a part of her life. Literally, a part of me lives in her forever (smile), and whether Saralyn knows it or not, a part of her lives in my heart forever.
