Nine-time Grammy winner Natalie Cole graces the cover of the Nov/Dec issue of AARP The Magazine.
In an exclusive interview with the bi-monthly glossy, the singer, who has a new CD out called 'Still Unforgettable,' talks about her life-saving kidney transplant, losing her sister to lung cancer, and how faith helped her overcome it all.
On dealing with her Hepatitis C diagnosis in 2008:
"It just felt like I was dying. As miserable as I was, once I started singing, I felt better. It was just extraordinary to me that this had been dormant in my body for something like 25 years. It was tough, but I felt if I didn't push myself, I would probably either die or just crumble. They told me the average wait for a kidney was three years. At first I thought, 'There goes my life.' I'd sometimes fly for 14 hours, then go straight to dialysis. I spent a little time being tired, but we managed. I'm not a pity-party person."
On waiting on a kidney donor:
"They told me the average wait for a kidney was three years. At first I thought, 'There goes my life.'"
On getting an organ donor for her kidney transplant:
"To have your life saved by someone you don't even know -- oh, God. God bless them. I didn't know that I could feel this good again. You get sick, and then you get well, and if you don't have more compassion for human beings after, then something's definitely wrong."
On the night her sister died whi
le Cole's life was saved because of surgery:
"I was in dire straits. It was a real bad situation, as far as I was concerned. Because everybody was so in shock about Cookie, they didn't have real good sense. It was like God's hand was orchestrating the whole thing. I was getting good news and very bad news at the same time. This was a very joyous moment where I've got new life. It was also a very sorrowful moment, where my sister had gone on, and the family that donated the kidney had lost their daughter as well. My first reaction was that I wished I were back on dialysis to have my sister. These two people had left this earth – and I was here. Why? I feel like I don't deserve it. I've lost some very special people, but Cookie is the toughest. There's a part of me that's missing now. I don't expect that I will ever totally get over it."
On her current health:
"100 percent healthy. I didn't know that I could feel this good again."
On how faith brought her through it all:
"Those angels on my shoulder who've been there all along – now I know that my sister Cookie is one of them. When I look back, I can see the hand that has plucked me out of or put me into special situations. I don't totally understand it. I know that God has had my back, even when I was screwing up. And I now know he has a plan for me. We are born with two kidneys and only need one to survive. Maybe God gave us the other one so that we could give it away."
AARP The Magazine is the world's largest circulation magazine and is geared towards people over the age of 50-years-old. The publication reaches more than 24 million readers.
For more information, go to http://www.aarpmagazine.org.
*****
For more information on Natalie Cole, read 'Natalie Cole: Rebounding And Back On The Road.'
& 'Natalie Cole: Recovering After Kidney Transplant Surgery.'
The College Survival Guide
A Fridge
Regardless of whether you have a wonderful sized meal plan, your fridge may come in handy with leftovers or when you feel like stocking it with bottled drinks.
Computer
The convenience of a computer is essential when sending your kids off to college. Forget the hike to the computer lab across campus students need a computer in the comfort of their room. A printer comes in handy as well. Depending on whether your child plans to carry his laptop around campus, you might opt for a desk top since they're lighter on the pockets.
Snacks
You will surely survive with off of a meal plan but it doesn't hurt to stock up on snacks when you don't feel like leaving your dorm room. Bottled water, pop corn, cereal and Ramen noodles are all low budget snacks to stock up on. Just be weary of the freshman 15.
Things from home
Some college students suffer from homesickness the first year. It's best to surround yourself with things like photos of the family, pillows or even stuffed animals. Anything that reminds your child of home.
MP3 Player
With all the stress that comes from school and exams, sometimes it's nice to block out the chaos in your life and even your roommate with music. It's nearly impossible to find students walking to class who aren't jamming to tunes.
Budget
Students who enter college often come in at the ripening age of 18. A great time for credit cards. Parents beware, your child may end up ruining their credit at a young age
Alarm Clock
When you're in college you don't have the luxury of getting awaken by your parents. It's now your responsibility to get to class on time so alarm clocks are a must. But keep your roommate in mind. You shouldn't wake him up ever morning with a blow horn alarm.
Cleaning supplies
Now you don't necessarily need to bring in the rubber gloves, mop and gas mask but it doesn't hurt to bring along Clorox all purpose wipes for spills or dust. Vacuums and brooms come in handy too depending if you have a carpeted dorm.
Bedding
What most parents aren't aware of is that most college beds are twin sized but extra long and require special sheets. When shopping keep your eye open for sheets that clearly state 'extra long' or else your child may come up short.
Shower shoes
You really don't know what some people do in the shower these days. College showers are known to be creeping with germs so spare yourself the fungus and purchase flip flops for the shower. You'll thank us later!
Comments: (15)
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By: Karen Sokolowski on 9/27/2009 8:44PM
I'm so very glad that Miss Cole is doing well after her kidney surgery!! I'm also sorry to learn of her sister's death!! It must have been over-whelming for Miss Cole!! I'm just thankful that her faith guided her through it all!!
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By: reed wana on 9/27/2009 8:55PM
As a person in the medical fie.ld, I have seen some very serious illnesses. I've seen many people die while waiting for an organ. Donating an organ or many organs, is such a selfless act. What a wonderful thing to do for a stranger. I myself will have my organs donated if they can be. BUT I will ask that none of my organs go to anyone who made a choice of doing drugs and or alcohol. THESE people DO NOT deserve to have an organ, that is so precious and needs to go to a true sick person, that did not ask to get sick, did not cause their own problems. Natalie Cole did not deserve that kidney. She made very bad choices and -too bad. An innocent should not lose out on an organ, just because of the Natalie Cole's of this world.
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By: Help Her Lord on 9/27/2009 9:24PM
Reed Wana,
In looking at your sentiments, it is clear that you feel your statements are true and earnest.
But because we, as humans, think in such a way, we are just that....human.
God does not think like we do, that is why He alone is God.
Thank God, for God.....
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By: john on 9/27/2009 9:27PM
so, because people do drugs or drink when they are younger they should be scared for life by the perfect? You are a moron......say, eating the wrong thing can cause poor health problems...should we kick them out of the world too.
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By: vbontempi on 9/27/2009 11:04PM
You may want to add anyone who eats junk food, smokes, anyone who crosses the street without looking first, meat eaters, sky divers, deep sea divers--any risk takers actually, lazy people, the under educated, bad drivers, anyone who knowingly shares the road with bad drivers, abusive partners, bad parents, drunk drivers, any one who cheats on their taxes and the stupid...oh wait, that would disqualify you. I am sure you have made tremendous mistakes in your life, ones that you regret, ones that have hurt other people, ones that you will never repeat. Why would you want to condemn others for their past mistakes? These people have family, friends and have worked hard to now contribute to society in good ways.
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By: Janet on 9/27/2009 11:12PM
What kind of job do you have in the medical field??? You are 1. UNKIND and 2. Not too bright. You cannot chose who gets your organs! I know this for a fact. Natalie Cole may have made bad choices, but she certainly has a right to live. As you may have missed, she has completely turned her life around. You're just nasty!!!
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By: Penny Smythe on 9/28/2009 6:19AM
I hope to God you aren't a nurse. How dare you judge others based on their previous lives. I have been a nurse for 28 years so I know what you are talking about however..... it is NOT for us to decide and people like you give nurses a bad name.. please quit the medical field
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By: Cindy on 9/27/2009 10:07PM
I'm sorry you feel that way reed wana I do however understand your feelings which you are entitled to, but I think God and God alone has the final say on who is to get what ever organ you donate. it has been planned from the day we are born. and by the way we all make mistakes none of us are perfect.
And as for your "selfless act" this is not about you but about saving the life of another human being which you of all people (being in the medical field) should understand and appreciate.
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By: K M on 9/27/2009 10:18PM
I think God would give a kidney to anyone on this earth that's how much HE loves us.
A friend of mine who was a nurse donated one of her kidney's.She was a live donor. what a selfless act of love. SHE MADE THAT FAMILY REJOICE!!
I AM GOING TO DO THE SAME THING. PASS IT ON.
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By: snspenn on 9/27/2009 10:56PM
I'd like to be happy for Ms. Cole, but to be diagnosed in 2008 and receive a kidney a year later makes me sick to the stomach. The wait is longer than 3 years, as my brother has been waiting 10. He goes to dialysis 3 times per week, but because he is just an "average Joe", he has to wait. What made her so special that she got so quickly, what others waits many years for. We have our praises on the wrong people, celebrities.
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