I have been sick my whole life. I have spent 30 years on dialysis, and I just never thought I would ever get off that machine. I was 9 years old at the time, and I wanted a kidney transplant really bad. I just wanted to be normal like eveyone else.

One day a woman there that had a son on dialysis too. She had told me to cheer up because one day it would happen for me. I received a transplant 6 years ago today.

That day when she told me to cheer up, she gave me my first porcelain doll. I have kept that doll with me for a long time, that was a reminder for me to keep my chin up, and I did. I didn't get a transplant for a long time but I have collected dolls ever since then, and the dolls have become friends to me in so many ways.

Being in the hospital my whole life, I never had a chance to have real friends, the dolls were my world for me. Today I still consider those dolls my friends. I have dolls, all in my bedroom, and they are really great!

I hope that you have enjoyed my story.
 
 

                           Thank you so much.

                           Sincerely, Marciya