I have not written it yet, but here’s what I was thinking. I am a 13 year old who has survived Burkitt’s lymphoma and a kidney transplant. I was younger than 6 years old when I first started having kidney problems, which led me to dialysis. Also by that time, I was on a fluid restriction and every hour I was not even allowed to drink one ounce of fluid. When my sisters birthday came along there was a horse that apparently didn’t have any shoes on, but one day coming home from dialysis I found a horseshoe on the ground. I was young at the time so I asked my mom what it was. She said that it was a horseshoe and that it brings good luck. Then I said maybe it could get me a new kidney. My mom then was really unsure of this but didn’t want to disappoint me, so she said yeah maybe. Late that night, my mom and dad got a call from the hospital saying that they had a kidney waiting for me there. They were so shocked and couldn’t believe it. Then that morning (I think), I went and got surgery so I could have a working kidney. I was only 6 years old, but it changed my life forever. Before I didn’t want to do anything, but after I got my kidney transplant it changed my life (I could also drink all I wanted). I was so happy for a while until I started getting really bad cramps in my stomach after about a year. They were off and on cramps, but when they did happen it felt like somebody was punching me and punching me in the stomach. My mom got really worried and took me to the ER. They just said that I had a few minor cramps and that they would go away soon. So, we went back home and waited a few days. The cramping didn’t stop, it only got worse. My mom took me back to the hospital and told them that the cramps didn’t go away. Again, though, they sent us home. It went on and on like that until my mom just yelled at them and said, “I know there is something wrong with my daughter!” Then they decided to do contrast on me. They had me drink it and put me through a C.A.T. scan. After that they came into the room, closed the door, sat down, and told us the news. They said that I had Burkitt’s Lymphoma and after about two more days I would have been dead. They also said that Burkitt’s Lymphoma was a very rare cancer to get and that most adults don’t live through it. That struck my parents hard, but me as a child didn’t know what cancer was so my parents explained it to me. After I heard that I might die I started bawling my eyes out. The doctors quickly got me on chemotherapy. After a few days, my hair started falling out, and pretty soon I was bald. Chemotherapy sucked, but after about 2 years, my cancer went away and they put me on remission. After my chemotherapy, I met the Shining Stars and they took me to Aspen to ski. I met Kathy, (who is the person who gets everything set up) and she thought I was cute. When the Shining Stars reunion came along that year, I met John Catt who is part of the Grand Country Blues Society. John has been my friend ever since I met him. Just a couple weeks ago one of his other pals Dave dropped off a keyboard from John to give to me. I have been practicing about everyday so I can get better and learn how to play.