2007 was our year, say these 4 NYers

BY JANE RIDLEY

Monday, December 31st 2007

It's customary at New Year's to make resolutions about what you'd like to change as you move forward. But it's less common to look back on your year and reflect on changes you've already made.

For these four New York City women, 2007 was all about changing for the better, because each had her ultimate dream come true.

Here, in their own words, are their remarkable stories.

I GOT A NEW KIDNEY!

Helen Balatbat, 48, a registered nurse and mom of two, from Paramus, N.J.

Routine blood work in early 2000 showed I had kidney problems which were possibly related to my Type 2 diabetes.

Four years later, I was having dialysis and placed on the transplant waiting list. The dialysis sessions were so tiring. I'd work night shifts and then travel to Hackensack Medical Center to be hooked up to the machines for three and a half hours, three times a week.

My eldest son, Marlon, has autism, and either my husband or I need to be with him after school constantly. The dialysis took a toll on our family life.

Meanwhile, I assisted at countless transplant surgeries in the operating room at New York Presbyterian Hospital. I kept hoping that my turn would come.

Members of my family were tested here and in my native Philippines to see if they could donate one of their kidneys. So many came forward, but they weren't compatible.

Thankfully, my nephew, Joey [r., with Balatbat], who's 33, was a good match. He lives south of Manila and had to travel by plane to the capital for the secondary tests. I was so touched and thankful that he was making such a big sacrifice.

Getting him a special visa to come to America was difficult. But with the help of local politicians, we managed it. The surgery took place at St. Luke's Roosevelt Hospital in Manhattan on Sept. 4. It was successful and my new kidney is working fine.

The experience has made Joey and me very close and he's staying with our family until he's well enough to return to the Philippines.

It's been a fabulous year and my entire outlook on life is happier. Joey gave me the greatest gift of all and I will never forget his gesture.

I FOUND A HOME!

Mildred Deckard, 24, a cafe worker and mother of one, from Brooklyn.

This time last year I was living in a homeless shelter for single mothers. My baby girl, Meilah, was only 2 months old and it was really difficult because we had no privacy.

My then-boyfriend and I had relationship problems, and since my beloved foster mother had died in 2005, it felt as if I had nowhere to go. The shelter in the Bronx was my only option.

I was lucky to find a safe, clean place to stay that wasn't on the streets. But it didn't feel like home. We shared the kitchen and bathrooms, there was a strict curfew and, although I stayed out of it, some of the other women would have fights.

The months went by. I would call my sister and cry on the phone, saying, "I don't think I'm ever going to get out of here."

I knew I had to do something to help myself, and visited a drop-in center for advice. With the help of PUSH, an organization in the Bronx, and Brooklyn Community Housing and Services, I qualified for a program that houses people who work at least 20 hours a week.

My rent is subsidized because I work and I can prove I'm putting a certain amount of money into a savings account. It took a lot of a time and paperwork, but I think it's an excellent idea.

We finally moved into my new one-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn just before Thanksgiving. It's wonderful to feel independent at last. I have my own space and share such precious times with Meilah, who goes to a day-care center while I'm at work.

My life has turned around. I feel so grateful and blessed.

I LOST 100 POUNDS!

Joanie Varela, 52, a ticket sales coordinator at a Westchester theater and mother of two, from the Bronx.

I always knew I was chubby and had weight problems, but when the scale registered 234 pounds there could be no more excuses. I'm only 5-foot-1 and was obese.

My issue is simple: I love food. Breakfast would be an egg and bacon roll and a doughnut, followed by pizza for lunch with cookies and Mallomars. Dinner was a giant plate of pasta with lots of meats and ice cream. All my meals were fried or cooked in oil. My favorite snacks were chips, Carvel and anything sweet.

I hated the way I looked. My weight affected my confidence and I dreaded shopping for size 22 pants. I do community theater and the roles always seemed to go to slimmer actresses.

The turning point came on Jan. 11 when my friend Donna insisted I join her at a Weight Watchers meeting. There was no turning back. I stuck rigidly to the system and totally changed my diet. Amazingly, I haven't once lapsed from the program. My mantra was the Barry Manilow song "One Voice" - except I changed the words to "One Pound"!

Now breakfast is a half grapefruit and a high-fiber bowl of cereal with skim milk, lunch is a huge salad with lean chicken and pita bread. For dinner, I'll have broiled fish or chicken with vegetables and a Weight Watchers brand yogurt or ice cream for dessert.

My girlfriends and I go to intensive, hour-long water aerobics classes at the neighborhood Y three times a week. I'm convinced that's why I don't have any of the hanging skin that's common after weight loss.

Reaching my goal weight of 130 pounds was a dream come true. I feel like I've done it the "proper way" by not having surgery, and I feel fantastic. The day that I bought a pair of size-2 pants, I cried. I've got more energy and take pride in how I look, and my kids love their glamorous new mom!

I'm determined to keep off the weight and am sticking to the maintenance plan. This year has been one of the best of my life. It feels as if I've been reborn.

I HAD MY LONGED-FOR BABY!

Tracy Kaylie, 45, a development manager for a nonprofit organization, from Manhattan.

I always wanted to be a mother but a combination of my busy career traveling the world and not yet meeting the right guy caused it to happen later in life.

When Scott and I got married in August 2004, we tried for a baby immediately. After six months, following the advice of doctors, we saw a specialist in Manhattan.

He ran numerous tests. Our problem was unexplained but most likely due to me being over the age of 35.

Next we did three cycles of in vitro fertilization. Each was successful at first but the pregnancy didn't last beyond seven weeks. It was devastating. I've always felt very much in control of my life and this made me feel hopeless.

Thankfully, I got a lot of help and encouragement from my husband, family and Resolve, the national support group for people with fertility issues.

Medical insurance covered the first two attempts at IVF, but after that it cost around $10,000 each time.

Last December we signed up with the University Medical Group in Greenville, S.C., where a friend was successful. To our delight, our first IVF treatment there worked in March and I stayed pregnant.

The pregnancy was beautiful and there were no issues. The landmark was 20 weeks when we were able to see our baby boy clearly during an ultrasound.

Little Jack was born on Nov. 15 via planned Caesarean because he was in the breach position. He weighed 6 pounds, 9 ounces. He was absolutely perfect. Hearing his cries when he was born made the whole thing worthwhile.

He has made a huge difference to our lives. Scott and I are very grateful because he is a real joy.

The last 12 months have been filled with so many different emotions. It has been the best year of my life.