I will be 1 year post liver transplant on Feb 28th. I wrote my donor letter, but have not yet heard back. My life has changed in immeasurable ways. My liver damage was sudden and unexpected, so it was a shock to me both physically & emotionally. I have found that I am a different person - more joyful, grateful and thankful for the everyday things in my life - a beautiful sunrise, sunset, a baby’s laugh, a good meal or time spent with family & friends. A transplant friend called it “post-traumatic growth”.
I have started volunteering with the local organ procurement organization here in N.Florida, speaking with anyone who will listen about the importance of organ donation, and getting people to sign up. I’m “show & tell” at drivers ed classes, nurses training sessions & community events. I have met so many inspirational transplant survivors & donor families thru this. I have also started volunteering on the transplant floor of Mayo Jax as a nurse’s aid, restocking warm blankets, supplies and helping with non-medical patient needs. I thought I would suffer from PTSD, but have found it so rewarding. I also occasionally get to see & personally thank some of the doctors, nurses & aides who cared for me during my complicated surgeries. They look at me, with some recognition, but then once they realize they cared for me, are amazed at how fully I have recovered.
During one of my hospitalizations for sepsis pre-transplant, I expressed feelings of guilt to a priest at Mayo (Fr Charles), that someone had to die for me to live. His response was amazing & has changed my life. Fr Charles said that my concern was all wrong. That I needed to think of life as a relay and that my donor’s time & purpose on this Earth was done, and he/she was handing me what I needed to fulfill my purpose here on Earth - whatever it may be.
His words have affected me profoundly and I share them with all other transplant patients and recipients I meet. I am trying to figure out what “my purpose here on Earth” is - but it may be as simple as providing a warm blanket and words of encouragement to those other patients struggling with health issues.
I too have a Donate Life sticker on my car, and got a new license plate with my date of transplant on it - 22822. Now I just have to find the frame that says “an organ donor saved my life”!