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Organ Donation and Transplant: What is Your story?
Transplants | Last Active: Dec 6 8:53pm | Replies (103)Comment receiving replies
@my44
Many thanks for reaching out. I am coming up on five years with James, formerly known as Dave. I have renamed the heart as I found my donor family and am intimately acquainted with my donor. Naming the transplant made it much more personal for me. I felt a responsibility for taking care of the heart as it was certainly taking care of me. Now I am averaging 32,000 steps a day. This morning. I played my weekly game of basketball in the "ancient athletes league" I organized. As we all sat around at game's end, I patted my side and said under my breath, "Thank you, James". Without him I would not be here.
As for facing reality as it is. It is easier said than done. Subsequent chapters address occasional denials of difficult information with eventual acceptance. That was part of the struggle of giving up control; of which I apparently possess a high degree.
Congratulations on Maisha. You and I share a rare trate. We each carry two sets of DNA in our bodies. For me that has made me deeply aware of the interconnectedness of life. We are all in this together.
Best always,
s!
Scott Jensen
Replies to "@my44 Many thanks for reaching out. I am coming up on five years with James, formerly..."
Good morning Scott. Your commentary continues to amaze me. You so clearly articulate what I think so many of us transplant patients understand - but can’t quite put into words. For me, the sudden onset of liver failure changed my life in immeasurable ways. One of the most difficult challenges for me was the loss of control over my life. I think most of us truly believe that we are in control of our destinies - until the universe steps in - and proves to us that we are really not in control. We have to learn to play the cards we are dealt - and adjust our expectations and our lives accordingly. I was close to death several times in my journey, waited nearly 2 years for transplant, received 7 calls for possible transplant - but by the grace of God, finally received a new liver that saved my life in Feb 2022. My donor is known as my Angel around my home. I don’t know anything about them, but thank them and their family every day for the ultimate gift that allowed me to reclaim my life. Quite honestly, I never would have believed that I would ever have been able to resume an active life. I expected to be an invalid - a sickly old man of 62 for the rest of my days. But yet here I am - life resumed to the fullest. The human body is an amazing machine. I exercise every day, play pickleball and even was able to get a new job - after being “retired” from my longtime career - due to my extended disability. Finding a new job was part of me trying to seize back control of my life - and I have succeeded at that. But I now truly understand that control of our lives is ephemeral. Can’t wait to read your book!
Gerry P
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@scottij
Oh, Scott, I am so glad that you found out about your donor and have been able to rename your new heart James. I read how you had so very much wanted to find out his name and identify with him. Congrats!
I can see that James has been good to you: 32,000 steps a day...weekly basketball games. Wow! That's fantastic! And I love how you thank James.
I think it's great that you organized the "ancient athletes league." The name makes me think of a slow pitch softball team here called the Huff-N-Puffers for men ages 60 and over. I'll bet James has you in better shape than those guys! 😊
Thanks for pointing out that we now carry two sets of DNA in our bodies. I never thought of that.
Scott, you are a wise man. I could listen to till the cows come home. 😊
I know you were writing your book. I read the excerpt that you shared when you posted your story. Have you completed the book, or are you still working on it? I would love to read it.
Take care.