It is the anniversary of my kidney transplant back in 1987. I had a transplant in 1986 that failed after a very eventful, but horrible five months. That April was during the expo and I had a pass to go to it but I was limited to the hallways of Vancouver General. I nearly never left those.
In 1987 I had a second chance at a transplant and was off hemodialysis again. How fortunate to have a second chance so quickly. I was mentally traumatized from 1986 and facing the hospital again I both wanted and didn’t want to be there again.
After about 12 days after my surgery in July 1987 the doctors came to my bed and said, if it doesn’t start by tomorrow ~ we’ll have to do something and that may include removing the transplant. Miracle! It started that night. Finally my road back to full recovery began, I will spare you details.
Now in 2011 I count my blessings almost every day. Those days of being on a machine are faded memories. I am blessed with more than a transplant; I am blessed also with an awareness of the gift of good health.
I am also aware of what friendship means, and love. I was blessed by friends who visited regularly even when I couldn’t barely lift my head to say hello. My supportive, beautiful, young wife who sat by my side even when I didn’t know she was there. She held my hands, prayed for me and waited for me to know when she was there. She was wondering I am sure, whether she would be a wife or widow after those long hours, days, weeks and months in my room, at my bedside while Mandy was only three years old. Sue came to the hospital when she could, and she was there when I needed her the most.
Yes 24 years of good health, and a successful transplant is worthy of a little celebrating. I celebrate the health, I thank the doctors who operated (Jamie Wright) and my family and friends who gave me strength and hope when mine was depleted.
24 years is a long, long time. Those memories are old now, and I bring them out and dust them off only when I need to be reminded how blessed I am.
Life and Random Thinking 