::Inner Healing and Supporting Women:: Renaissance Women Summit

::Momma Disclosure:: Post was created in collaboration with Amanda Russell of Fit Strong Sexy , Interesting Houston, Danelia of  Project Z and local group the Houston Latina Bloggers.  All pictures are property of Momma of Dos, if you wish to use them please contact me: mommaofdos@gmail.com 

There is much to be said when other women invite you to their table with open arms. Much to be said about women outside your circle who trust you instantly to be brought into their space. And, far more to be said about women who are truly supporting other women. In a clear and genuine way. 

I attended the Renaissance Women summit this past weekend, the vibe and the energy were incredible and it was all due to the coming together of several local women and one amazing visionary, Amanda Russell.  

I heard two messages loud and clear and I feel we would all, as women and simply humans, benefit from them.

::Inner Healing::

The thought that hurt people, hurt people is true. One of the speakers; Jen Groover, spoke very honestly and openly of this topic. Her testimony hits very close to home for me. Her mother was an abused wife and as a child, she witnessed so much that now she wants to empower her own daughters to be strong and stand up for what they believe in. More importantly to be more emotionally aware than most children their age, which was very impressive as a fellow Momma. Her biggest power is the idea of self-healing and not allowing those bad moments to create bitterness and sadness but instead learn from them and grow away from those toxic environments. 

We all have the power to heal. Some of us might need lots of help and support but that's OK, at the end of the day healing is your goal. Some may not have the tools that they need to heal but could find those tools in others through empathy and compassion.

Jen has such an amazing story of survival and triumph, she is such a true warrior! Again her story made a great impact on me and how I have healed over the years. And, honestly this healing is on-going. We are always going through experiences and situations that don't always go our way. We must continually learn and grow from our traumas and bad experiences. It's the only way to move forward, evolve and be successful! 

One statement that really resonated with me was:

"Successful people work on themselves first." 

::Supporting Other Women:: 

I knew the summit was directed towards women and that in itself was amazing. I met women from many walks of life and professions. I was fulfilled with that alone. But, then there was a constant message with the speakers; Tamilee Web-Hall better know for being the face of Buns of Steel, Jen Groover a Ted Talks speaker and serial entrepreneur/business woman, Anika Jackson and Staci Henderson of Interesting Houston and Amanda Russell. They all spoke to how they couldn't have done it without each other. They spoke about how if one person succeeds it never hinders your own success. There is, and always will be enough room at the table for everyone. The limiting thought that I must protect my success and not share or be able to promote other women within my industry, niche, or even within my own ethnicity, is ridiculous. I want all women to succeed, and be happy. This will set the norm for all successful relationships. 

#communityovercompetition should be something that is practiced across the board and that we should as women, embrace. We will only be able to succeed when we understand that everyone's grass can be green no matter what. The mentality of "every man for himself", while it can be productive in some instances, should not be what drives us to move forward. We should truly and genuinely build one another up and decide that in order to break the glass ceiling, we must unite. Dr. Noreen Khan Mayberry, one of the events panelist, spoke to this as well, empowering women and having one another's backs. It's what our community should be about, no matter what your industry is! 

Overall, there was an amazing sense of relate-ability among us all. We all have a story to tell and somehow our stories resonated with similarities. Some how, no matter what our background, ethnicity, age, or upbringing, some how our similarities, prevailed.  

This type of event fills me with true joy, first off as a Latina who passionately peruses empowering the women in her community, and secondly because I want to better myself as a woman, Momma, employee, wife, career-driven person. The Renaissance Woman Conference encompasses all of those important factors that push me forward towards a better me. I love representing the Houston Latina Bloggers and try to do my best with every opportunity I gain. ~Connie Gomez (Houston Latina Bloggers) 

Danny Medrano's Story #KindeyTransplants

One of my biggest dreams as a child was to be a physician, slowly I have realized that not becoming a physician shouldn't stop me from doing what I wanted to accomplish as a doctor which was to help others in any way possible. My passion and purpose is to use my resources and determination to help others! I try every day. Because of this I tend to open up to new people and in return people often seek my help…  If I can, I NEVER mind helping. Today, I want us all to PLEASE help Danny…here is his story as told by his Wife, Suelen Medrano:

Danny & I met in high-school we both went to Sam Houston High School, both had a Biology class together and that's where our love story begins.

First we became friends, then we talked on the phone, and kept seeing each other and so on. We both graduated in June of 2001, several months later on August 23rd he took me to our little "raspa" hangout called "Rainbow" and he asked me to be his girlfriend. 

On October 15th, 2006 he proposed, he took me to the same place where he had asked me to be his girlfriend 5 years earlier. 

In 2012, Daniel, was admitted in the hospital for (ARDS) Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome, in critical condition and with no chance of survival, only given 20% of survival, to the point where it caused his kidneys to fail. Few days of dialysis needed to be performed. Waited more days for more changes until 3 weeks later he finally pulled through and woke up. 

Once released he was transferred to another facility in Tomball for physical therapy. He completed his one month treatment, he went home but a week later he started having issues with his vision, surgery after surgery and procedures, Danny's left eye was saved but his right eye did not heal the way the left eye did. It was really rough to accept this. 

So, we continued with our lives, just when we thought it was all over and left in the past, once again January 2014 it happened again never imagined it would change our lives forever. 

Danny was admitted to St. Lukes Hospital for an infection on his foot. At first, his doctor's stated that he would be getting out within a few days. However, that was not the case as the infection spread to his leg and caused renal failure again due to the strong antibiotic given (made it worse) and the fact that he's diabetic didn't help either. He started having breathing problems, had to be on oxygen all this was caused because he was retaining fluid. The infection on his foot thank GOD did not spread to the bone, he had a minor surgery on his foot, it went well, was told by Dr. Wang (Danny's primary physician) that it would be a slow process to heal. Days passed, running test and more tests. Dr. Wang came to see Danny  and asked if he knew what his kidney function stage was, he answered with "not sure", but they aren't working 100%. 

On January 28th, Danny started dialysis, we were told it would only be temporary but it didn't happened like that. Since then we have been searching and trying remedies for his kidneys to come back but nothing is working. We were then told it would be best to consider a kidney transplant but warned us that there will be a lot that needs to be done. 

So, we scheduled Danny's first appointment for April 3rd at the location where Danny will have to do numerous of tests to make sure he's a good candidate. God willing Danny passes everything, the next step will be to meet with the entire transplant team, then we will be added on to the waiting list, normally it could take up to 4 years. Thankfully, we have a few family members and friends that are willing to get tested to see if they are a match/donor. Dr. Roy explained that this would be best and once he receives a new kidney, Danny will be able to live a normal life, no more dialysis. 

All I want is for Danny's health to be restored. Danny has had so many set backs but we are determined and have faith that Danny's dream will come true. 

New Kidney Transplant here we come!!!!!!

 

::Supporting the Cause::

Fighting Kidney Disease. Because, I want to my husbands life to be restored and to be able to live a normal life, no more dialysis. 

http://www.gofundme.com/dannyboy

Suelen Medrano

Email: suemedrano15@gmail.com

Please contact Kidney Transplant Donor Coordinator: 

C. Sean Leonhardt

Direct number is: 713-441-5243
Email:csleonhardt@houstonmethodist.org

Methodist Transplant Center

Be a HERO! Make a difference! 

How can you help? You can help by donating money to help pay medical expenses and other medical supplies needed for Danny. And, by helping us find a live/diseased kidney donor for Danny soon. 

PLEASE register to be an organ donors. I myself registered earlier this year, unfortunately many people don't realize that organ and tissue donation is important. One organ and tissue donor can save the lives of up to 10 people and significantly improve the lives of many more. I wish I could spread the word all over the world to help others who are going through the same situation as us. I would give anything to find the perfect donor to prevent all of this dealing with dialysis, because  is not fun. 

Everyone needs to PLEASE be educated about this. 

What if it was you needing a kidney transplant, or heart transplant what would you do?