This Monday, October 18th, marks the One Year Anniversary of my kidney transplant. I can't help but reflect on the journey that my bout with PGNMID, a rare kidney disease, has taken me and the hero that donated his kidney at the end of his life to help make my life continue.
Organ Donors are the real heroes! I am here today because of one. I am forever grateful and forever humbled by that. After spending months on paratineal dialysis, where I hooked myself up to a machine EVERY night, it was a welcomed surprise call from The Miami Transplant Institute of Jackson Memorial Hospital on Saturday evening October 17, 2020. As we hurried to Miami, a feeling of excitement but fear engulfed both me and Connie. Since the Covid pandemic wouldn't allow visitors in the hospital, Connie dropped me off at the front door and drove the hour back to Boca. I was admitted and finally operated on at 3 AM. The hero was a 55 year old man who lost his life to a cardiac issue earlier that evening.
I often think of the family of my hero. I know that other organs were harvested from him that evening and know for sure that his other kidney was given to a woman the same night I received mine. I can only assume that his liver and possibly his lungs were also transplanted. This hero saved multiple lives! I hope his family gets some peace and satisfaction knowing that their family member has affected so many. I also reflect on the courage of someone else who volunteered their live kidney to me, was tested and approved for transplant. Although the transplant never happened due to the Covid pandemic, her selflessness and courage inspire me every day. (She wishes to remain anonymous)
I also think of the Doctors, the Nurses, and all of the support personnel that has taken this journey with me. My Transplant coordinator at MTI, the phlebotomists that have drawn my blood countless times for monitoring purposes and the patience they have all shown when I ask countless questions.
So, what has the last year brought? After recovering from the operation, I have been able to return to as normal of a life as anyone else that is enduring this pandemic. The anti-rejection drugs that I will be on the rest of my life works against the Covid vaccination, so I have to be extra careful with my exposure to others. I mask everywhere and don't put myself in situations where there are large crowds of people. But I work, I play and I visit with other vaccinated people. We don't go out to eat unless there is outside dining, but frankly, I don't miss it! Our travel has been limited to car trips, but I am sure air travel is in my future.
My new lease on life is a result of someone signing an organ donation pledge. You can become an organ donor by designating that on your driver's license or as part of your living will. Please consider what that would mean to the life and well being of someone else.
And The Journey continues.....
