Hemodialysis

After learning the news that my kidneys had failed, and that I needed dialysis, I had plenty of research to do.  First, I learned that dialysis is a way of filtering the blood's chemical and liquid impurities by means of a machine and an artificial kidney.
I chose Hemodialysis, which required access to a major source of arterial blood; therefore, an Arteriovenous Fistula (AV Fistula) had to be constructed in my left forearm.  Simply stated, a fistula is a man-made, skin-surface artery.  This is done by sewing a deep (Radial) artery to a vein.  The pressure from the artery causes the vein to blow up, like a balloon, and allows plenty of room for my "sticks."

I would then learn that two fifteen gauge needles would be inserted (stuck) into my fistula and taped down in opposite directions, which would create a blood circuit.  Blood would be pulled, by a pump, out of my arterial stick, while returning blood to my body through the venous stick.  From the arterial stick, blood flows through lines of sterile tubing into a filter (artificial kidney) which separates the clean blood from the waste known as urine.  From the artificial kidney, the blood is pumped back into my body, via the venous stick.  This is a four-hour treatment that I learned that I would be living on, three to five days per week, for the rest of my life (unless I wanted a kidney transplant).

None of this new information would shock me, until I spoke with my Nephrologist (kidney doctor).  He told me that dialysis was very hard on the body, especially for the first three months.  He said that there were going to be side effects, such as severe thirst, muscle cramps, stomach aches, head aches, nausea, and fatigue.  He also told me that playing soccer, again, was not possible.  He said that I wouldn't even have the strength to climb a flight of stairs, much less play a soccer game.
I was speechless.  Of all the bad news that I had dealt with, this was the worst!  I could hear my soccer dreams running down the drain; and would feel that pain, every time I had to dialize.
I went home, furious!  I was mad at my body, mad at the world, and mad at God.  I stormed into my room and tore all of my soccer poster off the walls.  Next, I went into my closet and made a pile of soccer shoes and jerseys. Then, I fired through my dresser and added soccer socks and shorts to the mound.  I yelled, "If Soccer won't have me, then I won't have Soccer!"  Finally, I shoved all of that crap into two big trash bags, and marched them to the trash cans, where they now belonged.
I stopped watching soccer. I stopped thinking about soccer.  I even decided to transfer (along with Lacye) to Sam Houston State University, where I accepted a scholarship, as an Equipment Manager for the football team.  My job was to go to practices and games, and make sure all of the players' gear was in good, working condition.
I spent the next year dialyzing, studying biology, working for the Sam Houston State football team, and hanging out with Lacye in Huntsville, Texas.  I believed the doctor, and was sure that soccer would never again be a part of my life.  I wasn't sure of what my dreams were, anymore; however, I knew that my new dreams would include Hemodialysis, because I couldn't imagine ever having a kidney transplant.

Ten-Foot Tall and Bulletproof

Lacye and I dated for the rest of my senior year; however, my focus was not on my relationship with her, or anyone else, for that matter.  I was sure that my life was going to lead me down the path of professional soccer; and, I would do whatever it took to make that happen.
I had everything going for me.  I had tons of friends, a smoking-hot girlfriend, and a couple of private universities offering me scholarships to play soccer.  Unfortunately, I had a very bad temper, used my friends for my personal gain, and treated Lacye as a temporary trophy.  Little did I know, my temper would cause me great physical pain, my friends would disappear, and Lacye would save my life four times.
Near the end of my senior year, my parents and I decided (for several reasons) that leaving Texas for college wasn't possible.  So, I decided to stay at home, where I would study and play soccer at the local junior college.  I still kept in touch with the two university coaches, who were willing to give me a chance the following year.

My first year in college was a dream come true.  I easily started as a defender and played every minute of the first semester.  The school newspaper came out to do an article about the team, and I was on the cover.  There was even praise from our coach about my playing style.  My grades were pretty good, and I was surrounded by tons of new friends.  Lacye and I were still together; although, we had already broken up, once (almost twice), due to my selfishness.  I had it all!  I was ten-foot tall and bulletproof!
The second semester began, and something changed.  I started falling asleep a lot.  I love to sleep; but, I was falling asleep in church, at the movies, on the phone, and even at the wheel.  I started to throw up, three to five times per day.  My color changed from a beautiful brown sugar, into a pale yellow.  I lost 20 pounds; and I developed these big, grey bags under my eyes.
I concluded that my two jobs (Peppermint Park and Miller's Outpost), my full school schedule, soccer, and my social life were just pushing me too hard.  I decided to push back; so, I ate breakfast, every morning, packed a lunch for school, napped when I could, and worked even harder at soccer practice.  Nothing worked.  My meals were still coming back up, I was sleeping all of the time, and I was being called lazy at soccer practice.
Once again, my mother and I made an appointment with my kidney doctor, who had been following my stable kidney disease, since I was thirteen.  The doctor asked me to come in for blood work, and they would call with the results, in a few days.  He was going to look at several factors; one being my Creatinine level, which indicates how hard my kidneys are working.
When we returned home, there was a message, waiting on the answering machine.  The doctor stated that the lab made a mistake, by misplacing a decimal on the lab report.  He said that my Creatinine level read 12.0, instead of the original 1.2, when I was thirteen years old.  We agreed to follow the same routine the following morning, and again were met by the blinking answering machine.  This time, the doctor's report was worse.  My Creatinine level was now at 13.0, with 14.0 being the highest. He said that my kidneys had failed, which meant that my blood was full of poison, in the form of urine; and that I had two choices: start kidney dialysis or slip into a coma.  I obviously chose the dialysis, and started making plans to have an Arteriovenous Fistula built into my left forearm, which serves as an access for kidney dialysis.
I went home with the news, and made my rounds to Lacye, my friends, and my soccer team.  Lacye didn't know what to say, and went to her mother for advice.  I was sure she would run away (but you'll find out, later).  My friends and teammates didn't understand what was about to take place, and they trickled out of my life.  I spoke to my present coach and my potential coaches, and they said that I was a liability; and would not allow me to play on their teams.
I was devastated.  I spent so much time, thinking about myself, and neglecting the people around me, that I had nowhere to turn.  I felt like God was tapping me on the shoulder, saying, "Look at the mess you've made."  The one good outcome was that I found out who my closest friends were, because a handful of them stuck around, especially Lacye.  I was sick.  I was scared.  I was no longer Ten-Foot Tall and Bulletproof.

The Perfect First Date, Almost Wasn't

Have you ever kicked yourself, because you missed an opportunity that would have changed your life?  I would still be kicking myself, if Lacye wouldn't have saved my butt on the day of our first date.

After Lacye gave her phone number to me, we started talking on a daily basis; and, we finally agreed to go out at 7 P.M., on a January Saturday night.  I was coaching a youth soccer team, called the Friendswood Arsenal, which was in a tournament, that day.  The tournament ended with a dramatic comeback by our boys, that led to a big after-tournament celebration with the team parents.  After the pizza and pitcher celebration, the team parent that I rode with, dropped me off (safely) at home; and since I had been coaching all day, I took a nap.
I woke up around 6 P.M. to the ringing telephone.  The conversation went something like this- Lacye: "Sam? Did you forget about our date, tonight?"  Me: "Um, No!  I was just jumping into the shower.  I'll call before I leave to get directions to your house."  Lacye: "I was starting to think you were going to stand me up."  Me: "No way, Lacye. I'll call you in just a few minutes."
I bolted out of bed, to the shower, dressed myself and called Lacye in about 20 minutes!  I was like Bruce Wayne rushing to the Bat Cave, after a call from the Bat Phone.  I ran outside to the worst weather, ever.  It was about 40 degrees, and it was raining cats and dogs.  I jumped into my trusty (more like rusty) white, 1983 Toyota pickup truck that we lovingly named "The Lightning Bolt," and hurried to pick up Lacye at her house.
When I arrived at the Brymer house, I sprinted to the front door, collected myself, then rang the doorbell.
Lacye answered the door, and invited me in to meet The Parents.  Inside, I met two of the coolest people in Tom and Carolyn Brymer.  We talked about our plans to go to dinner and a movie, and the exact time of her curfew.  I promised to keep her safe and sound, and also to return before curfew (just to impress); and away we went in the Lightning Bolt.
I was pretty nervous, which was very uncharacteristic of me on a date; so, I turned on my trusty cassette player.  Poison's "Nothing But A Good Time" was playing a bit loud; so, I started to turn down the volume.  Lacye asked, "Do you like Poison?"  I said, "Yes, I do."  The next words from her mouth were literally music to me ears.  "I love them!  They're one of my favorite bands!"  Right then, the nervousness that I had melted away, and we talked and sang all the way to the movies.  We watched Cape Fear, and had a great time scaring each other, during the most intense parts of the movie.
After the movie, we braved the downpour, to Chili's, where the date reached near perfection.  We entered Chili's, and that place seemed to turn into my own personal Cheers, where everybody knows your name.  Before we could be seated, I was called over to three different booths, by my friends who just happened to be there, too.  I met Lacye at the table, and she smiled at me and asked, "Do you know everyone, here?"  All I could do was laugh and shake my head (no!) in disbelief.  That very second, a couple was being seated across the isle from us; and, the next thing we hear is, "Sammy!"  We were both shocked at that moment; and from there, the date was as smooth as silk.  We talked, joked, laughed, and smiled at each other the rest of the dinner.
Once dinner was over, I drove Lacye back home, singing and talking the whole way in the rain.  I walked her to the door, and all of that nervousness that had melted away came back like a tidal wave!  We stood and talked, until that awkward moment filled the air.  I had this internal battle for just a moment: "Kiss her!"  "No! Don't kiss her!"  I just froze in my boots, until Lacye bid me goodnight, reached across, and gave me the sweetest, most welcoming hug.  I asked if we could go out, again, next weekend, and she said, "Yes."  Lacye smiled, turned around, and walked inside.
I slowly walked back through the freezing rain to my truck, and sat inside for a second.  Dripping with rain, and soaking the Bolt's interior, I reached up and smacked myself in the forehead for not kissing Lacye, but most of all for almost missing out on the perfect first date.

13 Years Old, and NO, I Don't Want Kids!

When I was 13 years old (in 1987), I decided I wanted to be a great American Football player, like Mean Joe Green.  I wasn't strong, fast, tall, and I had surely never played the game before; but, that wasn't important to me.  So, I went down to Webster Intermediate School, and took the first step; the physical, which consisted of taking my temperature, blood pressure and of course the urine sample.
After the physical, I was called by the nurse, who ran the whole process, and told that my urine had too much protein in it; and, that I would have to go to the doctor to be released to play middle school sports.  I went home and begged my mother to make an appointment with our family physician, so I could follow my dreams of greatness.
My mother, whom I call "Glo," has always been the outspoken, spiritual rock in our family.  Glo loves God, always has a smile on her face, a song to sing, and never backs down from a fight; although, she only stands 4'10''.  Glo made the appointment with the doctor, and off we went to settle this matter, for good.

The appointment went as planned, with the usual blood work and vital signs; however, we were confronted with some abnormal results.  I was diagnosed with Glomerulonephritis, which the doctor said was a childhood kidney disease that I would most likely grow out of, in time.  Simply stated, the filters (Glomerulo) in my kidney (nephr) were inflamed (itis).  I thought to myself, "No big deal.  I've had worse."  So, Glo and I left the doctor's office, and headed back home; all the while, cutting up and laughing.
We arrived at home, and went our separate ways. Glo went to her room to take a shower, and I went to my room to add to the mess that was waiting for its leader.  After a couple of minutes, I decided I wanted to go outside and hang out with my friends; so, I walked into my mom's room, and faced one of the most powerful experiences of my life.  I walked up to her bathroom door; and before I could knock, I heard my mother, our rock, sobbing and praying out loud to God.  She was broken.
I turned away, without ever knocking on the door, and retreated back to my cave.  I sat on my bed, for what seemed like forever, looking for answers.  Here she was, the toughest lady I've ever known, hurting because of me.  I couldn't feel her pain.  I couldn't do anything to remedy her pain.
I determined that I was already vulnerable enough, with a pending kidney disease, that may or may not go away.  I knew (and still know, now) that I wasn't anywhere as tough as Glo.  At that moment, I realized that all parents are forever vulnerable through their children's pain; and, that I never wanted to be like those people.  Soon, after that realization, an adult asked me, "How old are you?" and I replied, "I'm 13 years old, and NO, I don't want kids!"

She Thought I Was Funny

After my first encounter with Lacye, I spent my Senior year doing normal activities.  I was playing Soccer, going to church, going to school, hanging out with friends and family, and working at a car wash. Lacye and I ran into each other many times, that year while I was being myself (acting stupid), which would start the ball rolling in our future, together.
The first stupid thing that Lacye witnessed was the Jimbo Show; which was an improvisational Doctor/Patient act, put on Jim Garcia and myself in the hallway of our beloved high school.  Jim would fall to the floor, spitting and convulsing, while I took charge by calming the crowd of onlookers and curing Jim of his ailment, before any teachers could make the scene.  Jim would go on to move to Hollywood, where he changed his name to Diego and is now a professional actor and singer in a band, called Stage 11.

The second time that Lacye witnessed the Trevino Humor was during the wintery football season, when I was a cheerleader escort.  Being an escort was a pretty cool job.  We pretty much did whatever the cheerleaders told us to do, like hold signs, bags, jackets, and of course pom poms.  The cool thing was that every escort had a cheerleader on each arm before and after each game, which made us feel pretty important.
The best part of the job was helping the cheerleaders excite the crowd.  I loved that part the most, as I had time to mingle about the crowd and make people laugh.  One cold game night, I found myself in front of a group of fans, huddled together in the bleachers.  I was wearing gloves, acting like my hand was broken by bending my fingers all the way back so that they touched the back of my hand.  As I screamed at the top of my lungs in fake anguish, I saw these blue eyes and a porcelain face smiling at me in the middle of the mass of blankets and jackets.

The third time I spent time with Lacye was in a less crowded atmosphere, over the Christmas break.  I went to an evening basketball game with my friend T.R., because we had nothing else to do.  As we were watching the game, I saw Lacye and her friend enter the gym.  Of course I was immediately nervous, and prayed that they might sit near us.  In no time Lacye and her friend climbed the steps and sat with us!  I thought to myself, "What are the chances?"  Little did I know that Lacye liked T.R. and her friend liked me.  Regardless, I had a great time cutting up and watching that smile form over and again.
When school resumed after the winter break, I passed Lacye in the hallway on my way to soccer practice, where she handed me a written note.  I was walking and reading the note which asked about my winter break and details about hers.  I was just entering the boys soccer locker room when I read the words, "I think you're funny!"  The final note at the bottom of the page was her phone number!  I grabbed the freshman soccer player next to me by the arms and spun him in a circle!  He just looked at me like I was crazy. Then I put him down, smiled and said, "She thought I was funny."

Famous First Words

People often remember what was said in their first encounter with a friend, enemy, family member, or future love.  This is the magical story of how Lacye Brymer (my wife) and I first met.
I remember it like it was yesterday.  It was the beginning of high school soccer season, my junior year, when my teammates and I were leaving school after soccer practice.  As we exited the locker room, we turned into the hallway, where this angel crossed our path.

Lacye was a freshman, at the time, leaving school from softball practice. Immediately, I was enamored with the site of her.  She was about 5'5'', athletic, had long blonde hair, blue eyes, and braces (which I never even noticed).  Lacye was everything that I wanted in a future girlfriend.
As she walked away, I turned to one of my teammates (which we'll call JJ) as I pointed and said, "I'd kill to go out with her!"  JJ quickly took it upon himself to act on my statement and yelled out, "Hey!  He wants to go out with you!"  This is where life went into slow motion.  I saw Lacye fling her hair over her right shoulder as she whipped around and stopped.  I stood there, partly in shock by what was just said, and also mesmerized by the smile on her soft, porcelain face.  I must have looked like a dope, standing there with my mouth wide open.
As Lacye finished turning around, the soft, porcelain smile disappeared, and transformed into a different look.  Her brow furrowed, her blue eyes turned into fixed laser beams, and the corners of her mouth retreated South.  She opened her mouth and uttered these four words, that I'll never forget.  "I don't think so!", she exclaimed, as she turned back around and walked out of my life, for what I thought was forever.
God had other plans for Lacye and I, though.  We weren't supposed to meet that day; but, one year later, we went on our first date.