Saturday, October 28, 2006, Prescott, Arizona~

My Dear Native American Sister~

I write this letter with a heavy sadness in  my heart. My precious daughter, Karla Jean, has died. She died last week (Tuesday); nobody came forward to give her a kidney. She suffered horribly the last few months of her life, and I felt powerless to help her. The doctors tried everything, but to no avail. They couldn't save her.

Karla's funeral was on Friday; I was overcome with grief, and I blame the lack of interest of people wanting to help my daughter as she lay dying in the hospital. They knew she needed two good, working kidneys; why didn't anyone come forward and try to help her? There are many, many people on transplant waiting lists, but very few people are willing to make the sacrifice to help; as a result, too many end up dying.

I sit in my room, my face blotched/swollen from so many tears, not wanting to believe that Karla, my beautiful Star Child, has gone on to Father Sky. I can't go into her room without falling apart. My world has been shattered, and right now I am so angry I actually want to physically hurt someone!

I don't know what to do anymore. I think I shall go mad; my mind is a mindless jumble right now, and I can't seem to see (or think) straight!

My baby was only sixteen; she would have been seventeen on December 19 of this year. I should sttill have my Karla! I never imagined in a million years that I would end up outliving my child!!

Well, all I can ask of you now is to keep me in your prayers. I have nothing else left!

~Regrettably yours,

Your Native American Sister in Arizona, Wyndi Storm Piestala. :( >tears!<