A Couple Of Warriors

"Take your binders babe."

"Do you have extra prednisone I can borrow?"

These types of conversations are not the "normal" conversations most couples have, but for us, it's normal, and it's the life we live and the hand we were dealt. I met Marcos 16 years ago when I was on dialysis in Brooklyn. He was my dialysis technician. When I saw him, I could not stop staring at him. Yeah, he was handsome, but there was something else. To this day, I still can't explain it. I guess that was God whispering; "That is going to be the man you will marry." I truly believe God made Marcos just for me. Through my 7 year journey on dialysis, he was the one who talked me into getting on the transplant list and he was my biggest inspiration. At the time, Marcos told me that he had three kidney transplants and started dialysis when he was 15 years old. I was amazed by his spirit, his energy, and how well he took care of the patients, especially the elderly. Watching him showed me that anything is possible if you don't give up and keep pushing.

Our relationship was and is just like any other relationship. We argue about couple issues, we agitate each other at times, we break up and make-up. However, throughout the 12 years we have been together, Marcos has always been there for me whether he was mad at me or not. When I woke up from my transplant surgery and opened my eyes, he was there. He took care of me, showed me how to take my transplant meds, and drove me back and forth to doctor appointments. How could I not fall in love with Marcos Dawson? I am now his fiancé', soon to be Mrs. Dawn Dawson. (I love the way that looks on paper) We're getting married!

Things are kinda difficult for us at the moment. Marcos is back on dialysis and waiting for his 4th kidney. Now, it is my turn to inspire him and take care of him. I will do just that. With God on our side and the support from social workers, dietitians, our friends and family, we'll be fine.

Many people love to hear our story and I love telling it. Starting dialysis is devastating. When it came to relationships, I never thought I'd find love or even have a boyfriend ever again. How would I explain dialysis and that I had to go 3 times a week? How would I tell them that at times I'm too weak or too tired to go out? What about the bumps on my arm that vibrate? Will he be turned off? I found someone who I don't have to explain anything to, someone who used to kiss my fistula and saw me and not the patient. I found my Superman. If I knew that through all the pain, depression and fear that I was going to end up with Marcus…well dialysis would have been so much easier to handle. Life just isn't that easy, but it's worth living. You never know what God has planned for you. You just have to stick around and find out.