Prayer Requests

BROTHER KNIGHT RALPH R. UMBDENSTOCK, Council 6409, Kerrville, TX

Posted Feb 22, 2012
by Agnes Sullivan


Submitted by Sir Knight Rudy Escamilla, Diocesan Deputy San Antonio East

        Please pray for Brother Knight Ralph R. Umbdenstock, Council 6409 in Kerrville, in Texas Hill Country. Please read letter below on his request for assistance regarding a kidney transplant, his long term journey of dialysis and what one can do to help him. Ralph is an active member and left his council officer position due to this Vietnam era ailment he contracted. Somewhere in this great state of Texas someone may be able to help.

REQUEST FROM BROTHER KNIGHT RALPH R. UMBDENSTOCK
February 22, 2012
Dear Brother Knights,
        This is probably the most difficult letter I’ve written. You see, I am in need of a kidney transplant, and I need to let my friends and family know about my condition. Last year I had a person come forward and donate a kidney if the Blood tests matched. The blood type (A positive) matched and we proceeded with the testing and all looked good for a transplant until I fell and broke a hip. The second delay was for another blood test to be done. After the final blood tests were done an abnormality on the donors’ tests showed up and that put a hold on the transplant until it could be cleared. That was on October 31, 2011 and we haven’t heard anything as of Feb. 18, 2012. I am not sure if I have a live donor at this time. Most of the members of my family have medical problems that prevent them from donating and my wife and step-daughters blood type do not match. This is what is prompting me to write this letter.
        I went on the kidney transplant waiting list 20 months ago. I have been on dialysis for 31 months now, and I go to the dialysis clinic 3 days a week. I’m hooked up to the machine for three and a half hours. By the time I travel to and come home, I’ve spent most of my day, and when I do get home I’m often very tired. Being on dialysis is physically and emotionally draining.
        My kidney failure was due to herbicide exposure (agent White) during my tour of duty in the U.S. Air Force in Thailand & Vietnam in 1971-1972. Aside from my kidneys I am in good health except both knees are shot and need to be replaced. This cannot be considered until 2 years after I get a kidney. I had been very active in my community, volunteering at the KC’s (past warden) and at VVA Honor guard for Military honors at funerals and on the water board in my subdivision.
      I am pursuing a living donor for two main reasons, (but there are many others,) kidneys from living donors last, on average, twice as long as kidneys from deceased donors and the waiting list for a deceased donor kidney could be more than 5 years. Most people can donate who don’t have high blood pressure, cardiac problems or other medical condition.
Here’s some basic information about kidney donation:
      · We are born with an extra kidney – you only need one to live a full, healthy, long life.
      · The majority of the donor surgery is done laproscopically, with tiny incisions.
      · The recuperation period is generally 2 weeks for those with a desk job and 6 weeks for those whose job entails heavy lifting.
      · The surgery would be done at a hospital that has some of the best surgeons in the country.
      · All medical expenses would be paid by my insurance benefits.
      · Most donors say if they had another extra kidney they would donate again in a heartbeat and that it is one of the best experiences of their life.
      Would you please consider giving the Gift of Love and hope? Please call me (830-895-3139) and I will send you an information packet that will help you make a well-informed decision. Or, if you would like to explore this in more detail before you let me know about your decision, you could call the Methodist Specialty and Transplant Hospital (210) 575-8416 and talk to Juan Martinez, my Transplant Coordinator. You could let him know about your interest in being a living donor to one of his patients, and you may have to disclose my name at this time.
    Thanks for your support and concern.
Ralph R. Umbdenstock
Kerrville Council 6409
END OF RALPH’S REQUEST

If God brings you, BROTHER KNIGHT RALPH R. UMBDENSTOCK, to it,
      He will bring you through it
      Happy moments, praise God
      Difficult moments, seek God
      Quiet moments, worship God
      Painful moments, trust God
      Every moment, thank God

      PRAY THE ROSARY

      RALPH needs our prayers. God bless all of you.

Your Friend in Christ,
Agnes Sullivan
Coordinator of the Prayer Program for the Knights of Columbus Texas State Council
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