April 23, 2006, 5:11 p.m., Prescott, Arizona~

Dear Louisiana~

I was thinking about you the other day, and I was wondering how you were doing. I am sorry for not writing in a long time, but Karla, my daughter, has been very sick. She is now on dialysis, and she is on the transplant list for a new kidney because she is now in kidney failure. She has to be on dialysis at least three times a week, and it has left her feeling weakened and exhausted.

Dialysis is the only thing that is keeping Karla alive.

I have tried to be a good mamma to her, but Karla is impatient with me. She snaps and calls me nasty names; it isn't at all like her, and it has me worried. Please keep Karla in your prayers; in fact, keep ME in your prayers! I could really use them now!

How is the weather there in Tennessee? Here it is sunny and mild, almost warm. Temps have been above normal this past winter, and it is still warmer than normal here. We are in the throes of a severe drought, and it looks like we don't have any chance for any beneficial rain any time soon. The ground is dry and cracked, and everything is dying around us.

We are desperate for some moisture, or else we may be forced to leave.

Have you adopted any more chldren yet? I think the last time you wrote, you had just added Arjun and Rani to the family. I heard from reliable soures that you have adopted another child, a little girl from Romania. Is this true , or is it pure rumor?  Let me know; I am tired of being left in the dark like this!!

I will let you go now; not much is going on here other than Karla's health. She has been in and out of the hospital, and the last time she was in she nearly died when her kidneys shut down. This was when the doctors decided to put her on the national transplant registry for a kidney transplant. She is in a critical way, and frankly, it is scaring me to death! I don't want to lose my baby girl!! I have already lost my husband; I don't want to say goodbye to another family member, let alone, my child!! A mother should't have to outlive her child!!

I will go now; I am crying too hard. I can hardly see for all the tears falling from my eyes! Write me back soon; I would love to hear for you!

(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in Arizona, Wyndi Storm Piestala. :( >tears<