(September 19, 2019) Dave, it’s hard to believe that just one year ago today was your first day of dialysis. You were one of those whose life was saved by your dear friend Greg, who gave one of his own kidneys in the Paired Donor Exchange.
Greg gave his kidney to a stranger as he wasn’t a match for you. Another living donor gave their kidney to you on April 24, 2019. What a gift and truly the gift of life. People die while waiting for a transplant. Dave is blessed and so are we. (written by my dear wife Susan)
Her Facebook post written one year ago follows below:
(September 19, 2018) Today was a difficult day as Dave started hemodialysis.
It wasn’t planned for today but was planned soon. It became necessary as his GFR was at 6 and his body was failing him. Normal GFR is above 60.
Although we’ve been through this a long time ago, it was still heart wrenching. The two hour dialysis took 2.3 litres of fluid off his body today.
Dave’s first day of dialysis since 1987. He has been on dialysis twice before, hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis. They cover him with warmed up blankets as the blood comes back cooler into him after being pumped through the machine.
Tomorrow he will be there three hours and they will take 3 litres off.
Dave’s dialysis machine, his blood is being pumped through.
Then on Saturday four hours of dialysis and maybe 2 litres or more until they find his “dry” weight.
This is the machine’s artificial kidney removing fluids and toxins as the blood is pumped through it. He can live about 8 years on dialysis with severe restrictions on diet and fluids, since he can’t produce urine due to his kidney failure.
Four hours of dialysis three times a week will be his new normal.
In all 10 litres of fluid or more needs to come off his body.
Dave’s arm, a vein is enlarged by surgery do he can use large tubes otherwise it would take 16 hours each time. At the wrist a tube takes the blood out and by the elbow it is returned.
We are hoping and praying he gets on the transplant list in October.
From August on Dave has been struggling to live as his body has been failing him. It occurred to me that his body was killing him a little more every day.
A close up of the machine monitoring his 4 hour treatment, just 14 minutes left this time.
We also hold on to the hope of better days ahead.
There were tears today of letting go and giving in but not giving up. We’re both just tired today.
Dave looks resigned and resigned to be positive after 31 years of life without dialysis. Hopefully a donor will be found for him and someone will donate a kidney to make one available to him.
Dialysis will keep Dave alive while we wait for a transplant to go ahead. Please keep Dave in your prayers.
Canada has a low rate of organ donation and I hope by sharing this that it raises awareness.
Dave has lived over 30 years on one kidney.
If a living donor donates a kidney in a paired exchange and they ever get sick they immediately rise to the top of the transplant list because of their donation.
You are welcome to please share this post to raise awareness.
Dave’s note: Most lives have some bumps in them, and have times when the future looks bleak. I know that is exactly how I felt a year ago. My wish is that someone will read this post and realize if they are going through a tough period, that the future is unknown to us, so try to hang in there and not lose hope. Everything can change in a year.
Life and Random Thinking 
God bless you with many more years to come!
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I appreciate your response and thank you sincerely.
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Hi. I’m glad to know that things have worked out for you. Take care —
Neil Scheinin
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Thank you Neil, i am grateful and know how fortunate i have been to receive a 3rd transplant at my age. It would not have been possible if a friend hadn’t donated to someone else in Ontario so I would be eligible.
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Continue to Hang in there!
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Thank you 🤗🤗
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Dave, I am so happy that a donor found you. A good friend of mine is also on dialysis and I offered a kidney, but found out in the process that I have some difficulties in that area myself. I am below 60.
Good health to you and your donor. 🙂
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Thank you so much. My donor is well but not yet 100% and he knows what his priceless gift means to my family.
It was a miracle I found a donor as I had 1% chance of matching.
My donor friend made it all possible.
I hope you won’t have kidney problems-10% do.
Sincerely hope your friend is transplanted soon and healthy.
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Thank you. 🙂
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I wondered how that living donor thing worked – nice to know such generous people can go to the top of the list!
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I like that part also and donors are extremely well screened in the hope that they will never have a chance of kidney problems.
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What a great way to communicate this important message. Happy to see you back in the blog. 🙂
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Thank you, I have been bingeing on Murdoch Mysteries and mainly didn’t know what to share. I am trying to get a few last swims in the lakes but they are getting nippy! My son joins me and then we have a bonfire.
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💗💗
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Wishing you continued good health Dave! Such an important reminder about organ donation!
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Hugs and thanks Lynn. I know how fortunate i have been, and there are others still sick and praying for a transplant. Kidney disease effects one in 10, startling isn’t it?
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It sure is David. Health is something we often take for granted until we don’t have it for whatever reason.
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This was hard for me to read Dave. My Dad died of kidney failure. He was 80, a double amputee and diabetic, and so sick and so tired of fighting his disease that he opted out of dialysis after just a few treatments. Of course he wasn’t eligible for a transplant. He only survived for seven days without treatment, and the down ward slide was horrible.
So you see my friend, I am so happy for you that you got your transplant and that you are doing well, but I also know that the struggle for you and your loved ones was profound.
And I think your friend Greg is a real hero and a fine human being. God bless you all.
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I am grateful you shared about your Dad. I am sure he left a big hole in your life, that is a tough way to pass.
My Mom passed last June and I dread losing my Dad.
You do truly understand about dialysis, it’s not a cure and it bothers me that so few people understand or make an effort to understand what dialysis means to the patient trying to survive.
When I visit the hospital, which is often, I always go to the dialysis unit to say hello to the nurses, they were so empathetic as they put the needles in and out, and brought me warm blankets when I was freezing (you lose heat through your blood being cycled through). I wave hello and say hi to the patients I know, and I know for some of them, actually most of them, there are no transplants being considered. They are so brave.
It means a great deal to me knowing you understand, I did dialysis for years prior to 1986 and for 30 years after receiving my transplant I still dreamed about the experience and it always shook me awake.
God bless you Ilona my friend.
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Gives me goosebumps. I used to do a group for young (teenage) dialysis patients years ago. I still hear from two of them. Their scars match their courage. And your post brings tears. Love to you.
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Hugs back. Thank you for your understanding.
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