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