‘I Got a Second Chance’: Tampa Woman Takes Last Flight Home to Receive Kidney Transplant
A few weeks ago, MJ was coming back from his long vacation in Egypt. But something different happened before MJ got off the plane. A flight attendant told the cabin…
A few weeks ago, MJ was coming back from his long vacation in Egypt. But something different happened before MJ got off the plane.
A flight attendant told the cabin they were letting off a woman from the back of the plane first. Why? She was on her way to get a new kidney at Tampa General Hospital.
MJ took out his phone to record video. In the video, you can hear the cabin erupt in applause as the woman, Jendy Abreu, left the plane.
Jendy heard that MJ and the crew talked about this video on the air and called into the show. She came in to the studio to talk about her journey on Friday.
Jendy said she received a call about an available kidney after waiting 17 months for a new one. Jendy said she was diagnosed with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) at 9-years-old, which is when your immune system attacks your organs. She told MJ and the crew she had her first transplant at 25, but it rejected about a year ago. That's when she began was dialysis 3 times a week.
"No one tells you what to do or what to say," she said about her first reaction when she got the call about an available kidney. She said she hopped on the last plane available from JFK to TPA.
Jendy said the cadaver kidney is the same age as her. But other than that, she's not sure about who the person was.
"Whoever the family is out there, I just think about them every day. She lives through me now."
Here's the full video from this morning.
I took my first flight on an airplane since October 2019. I was feeling a little nervous so I was like, "Let me make if fun by turning the whole experience into a web post review." I feel like whenever I fly out of Tampa International, I'm rushing...no time to spare. I decided to get there early so I could feel relaxed and just take in all the surrounding and airport amenities. I was flying American so I was out of Airside F. Here's everything you need to know about Airside F.
But before we get to Airside F...just a quick mention.
Photo courtesy of RWP.F. Chang's is the place to go if you ever want to pick someone up at the airport and their flight is delayed. This is my favorite restaurant in the Main Terminal to enjoy a beverage, airport ambiance, and delicious food.
Let the Airside F Tour begin.
Photo courtesy of RWAfter you've made your way over on the monorail and through security, this is the first thing you see. A beautiful light purple sculpture above you.
The first restaurant you will notice is The Cafe by Mise en Place.
Photo courtesy of RWIf you've eaten at Mise en Place, you know how amazing the food tastes.
They have nice big booths.
Photo courtesy of RW"Table for 1"... and plenty of room for my carry-on luggage.
Pre-flight meal.
Photo courtesy of RWI'm going to do this every time I fly out of Airside F. Quite possibly the best brussel sprouts I've ever eaten. And the wine took the edge off so I could enjoy my first flight in twenty months.
If you go to the right once you get through security (Gates 77-84)...
Photo courtesy of RWYou will see a bar that looks like a pirate ship, of course! It's the Gasparilla Bar, offering great grab and go food...and drinks with a total Tampa-pirate-y vibe.
When you hang a left out of security (Gates 85-90)...
if you're looking for a sweet treat to pacify your children, you'll find Yogurtology tucked behind Buddy Brew. Now this may backfire if your kids eat too much frozen yogurt and have sugar meltdowns on the plane.
On the same side as Yogurtology, check out Liquid Provisions.
Photo courtesy of RWNice little place with a chill airport bar vibe and good shareable plates.
After my glass of Cabernet Franc at The Cafe, I was like "I need a quick massage."
Photo by RWThat would've made me perfectly relaxed to get on my flight. Unfortunately, this particular Terminal Getaway Spa was closed, but when it is open, you can find it right behind Gate 87. Now I just need to book flights that take me out of Airsides A, C, and E so you'll have a full report.
