Thank you for visiting today, I am both looking ahead and looking back today.
I know I could write much more about this experience♥♥♥
I hope that this post will refresh your own appreciation for the treasure that being alive and healthy truly is, and learn more about being an Organ Donor.
Sincerely, David
Two years ago today I was at Penticton Hospital, having what I thought would be my last hemodialysis treatment. I was excited and confident, in 48 hours I was going to get my long awaited new kidney transplant !
It turned out that to be extra cautious I did another two hours hooked up for dialysis the night before the surgery in Vancouver Hospital, but my buzz of excitement wasn’t lessened at all.
April 24, 2019 my family gathered around my bed in excitement to wish me success and pray for me before the nurse raised the bed rails and spun me out the door to head down to surgery; 4 hours that ended up being closer to 5 hours due to some complications.
I had an iv needle in my right arm already, and they wheeled me down tunnels, took some elevators, and then I was there – surgery central. It was colder there, intentionally, and I waited outside the room for about ten minutes. I was left alone with my thoughts.
My biological kidney donor was being wheeled out a few minutes after I arrived, but I never met him/her – all confidential. I didn’t see that person at all but my heart reached out to say thank you.
My transplant was part of a paired organ donation chain, that donor was in Vancouver General Hospital because my donor donated on their behalf in Ontario on April 23, 2019. My dear friend and donor had made the heroic decision to donate in order for my chance to exist and a chain to be created.
It was almost my turn to go inside ! ♥
A few minutes later, they were ready in surgery and they wheeled me inside a small room filled with equipment and a team of doctors and nurses. They moved me onto a slab slightly wider than my hips. It was darn cold in there: they asked me my name, my date of birth, why I was there and my anesthesia was begun. I remember they seemed very focused and kind.
My consciousness vanished, not even dreams. ( A deep anesthesia ensures no movement and relaxed muscles etc throughout the surgery location.
I woke up in my room with my family there, and what a beautiful moment for me it was to look into their eyes, my wife, my son, my daughter, my son-in-law, and my Dad.
It’s now been two years since that huge day in my life and I am so grateful for the last two years of better health, my future health, and my longer life to be here with my family and many friends.
My family is grateful and deeply happy for the hope and future I gained two years ago.
My huge thanks to my donor, and all donors and their families; that can never be truly expressed in words.
My huge thanks to Vancouver General Hospital surgeons, the nurses, the anesthesiologist, the follow-up care for two months before going home.
My huge thanks to the staff in Penticton Hospital who keep me going and strong. I am so grateful
How has my life changed? – this is a link to explain what a difference a transplant makes.
thanks for visiting- I know many or most of you are signed up to be an organ donor! – David
Read here to learn more about Registering to be an Organ Donor
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Simple pleasures 
This is how I felt inside 
Family ♥
InThT
Life and Random Thinking 
What an inspiration and how wonderful for you. Keep being healthy.
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Thank you for your kind wishes. Bless you. – David
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Such a wonderful anniversary to be celebrating, David, and a heartwarming tribute to your donor.
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An incomparable gift truly Jane. Thank you for your kind words for my post. – much appreciated. – David
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Great reminder!
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I have three birthdays now I think. My biological one in October, and one each in July and April for the transplant gifts I have been blessed with. The transplant I received in July 1987 has now failed but it was still an amazing gift for 31 years. My new transplant will last the rest of my life which I hope will be long. = Best wishes to you LA. = David
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💗💗💗
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I have a signed donor card which I keep right behind my driver’s license in my wallet. Like my blood donations every 56 days, it costs nothing to give but it means extending life for another. Why wouldn’t everyone want to know they affect another’s life in that way???
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Half of kidney donations are now from living donors, and I know about five people and they are all healthy and happy with their decision!
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Such a gift dear friend. We are so thankful that you received the precious gift of a kidney. Love you 🙏💕 Karen & Kevin💕
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You and Kevin show your love and support with action and not only words. I am so appreciative to you. big hugs!
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Happy anniversary. A truly momentous occasion.
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I looked forward to seeing your icon leggypeggy – my eyes light up when I saw your comment. hug – David
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Happy anniversary, Dave!
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Hugs Debra – Much appreciated. – David
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Sent my congratulations and Happy Anniversary to my dear brother who was one of the doners in the circle. So happy for you too David, as well as your family. Lovely to read your appreciation and gratitude overflowing. It’s good to have this reminder that we should all be as appreciative about life and health. Especially during these days. May you and your dear family keep on being healthy and safe. Continued rich blessings.
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Thank you Claudette, I am touched by your comment and understanding. It’s so important to focus on the light and not the dark around us. – David
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This is awesome David! Your gratitude is inspiring, and so is the generosity of the donor!
Congratulations! Wishing you many more healthy years, and many more reasons to celebrate! Blessings! ♥ ♥
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I cherish such positive messages. – David ♥
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What a wonderful anniversary to celebrate, especially after the Pandemic. My driving license states I am an organ donor.
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Thank you for being an organ donor – perhaps we should post our status as future organ donors proudly, to encourage others.
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That’s a great idea, Doug. My mum wanted to be an organ donor but she had septicemia so only her eyes could be used. She would be happy she gave someone sight.
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I remember doing research for a talk, I think it was up to 70 different parts of a body can be recycled after death but we only usually think about the major organs. Have a wonderful day♥
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Congratulations David! Because of what your going through it has given you a very unique point of view. I’m sure you value life far more and see far deeper into this mystery we call Life.
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Thank you Wayne. Experiences certainly do shape our views and when it comes to health, I am very conscious of its value.
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Reblogged this on Life and Random Thinking and commented:
In two days – Third Anniversary 🤗🤗🤗
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What a wonderful story. May you continue to be healthy.
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Thanks Darlene – that says it all. ♥
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♥♥♥
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A gift of life, David! I’m so happy for you and your family! And a huge thank you to the donor, and all donors, for their sacrifices. Happy Anniversary! I’m so glad to know you!
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Dear K.L. Hale – I just read your “About” page and added my name to your list. I loved the “and a little of Merle Haggard” – it showed your humour.
I also liked the analogy of rapids in life – very apropos and look forward to knowing you through your posts. I have never been to Missouri but can tell we have much in common including faith. – David
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Thank you so much, David! I appreciate your support and kind words. I look forward to getting to know you as well! Yes, faith is such an important part of my life! Take care and many blessings! Karla
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I thanked my friend today for his sacrifice for me three years ago. Blessings to you today!
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💛 that’s wonderful, David! Blessings to you and yours too!
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👍👍
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What a wonderful anniversary. I know you and your family are so thankful for both of your transplants. I had not heard of the paired or shared organ donation program. You have a good friend; participation in that would not be easy. Thank you for sharing your story.
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I feel an obligation to write about my history as there are so many people still waiting for a transplant. When I visit the dialysis ward I see them hooked up and I know exactly what they are feeling. – David
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I used to live in a subdivision in NM. The entrance was right across from a dialysis clinic. I had a tiny bit of knowledge of dialysis from visiting a clinic and reporting on it when I was in college. It made a lasting impression on me, so I made a point of praying each day as I passed the clinic near my house for the people undergoing dialysis. Your making others aware of dialysis and organ transplant is important, because those of us who have not been impacted in their circle of family and friends don’t really understand the realities.Thanks for speaking up.
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Encouraging words, thank you. Dialysis was a hard alternative, without my family’s support I wouldn’t have continued. Thanks for your prayers. – David
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I’d never fully understood the concept of the paired donation before, so thank you for that clear diagram. I’ve carried a donor card since my 20s, but never considered donating prior to death. What a wonderfully selfless gift & a wonderful anniversary to celebrate for your & your loved ones David.
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I believe now that living donation is approximately half of the kidney transplants. The medical tests and reviews screen out people who shouldn’t be donors so well and in many cases that when they are denied they have also gained knowledge of health concerns they never knew they had.
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Yeah, they’d probably reject me as too darn unhealthy now for a living donation 🙂 You’re a great advertisement for the donor programme David – you demonstrate gratitude, you take such good care of your health and you maintain a hugely positive attitude.
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There are only s few things I have been able to control in the last 40 years and my attitude has been one of them. Hugs, – David
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