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Twenty-Two Years ago Today
04-11-2018, 10:01 AM
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#1
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Leesburg, VA
Posts: 904
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Twenty-Two Years ago Today
My beeper went off and I was informed that I was second in line for a kidney/pancreas transplant. As it turns out, the first-in-line person had an illness and I was selected. It was a good match and as of today, I have had 22 years of trouble-free and happy life added to to my tally by my new kidney. The pancreas is a delicate organ and did not last, only got 8.5 wonderful years out of it. I signed up for a second pancreas and two years later got another that lasted approx eight years. I am now, yet again, a type 1 diabetic. I have three kidneys (2 OEM and one from a very good person) and two pancreases (1 OEM and one extra (The second) that has quit working).
I am extremely happy with my transplant and almost did not go through with it. I was suffering slightly from depression and the un-excreted poisons in my blood most certainly affected my thinking.
I am 64 yo and happily married since age 22. I turned down two offers of live kidney donation. One from my wife and one from a guy at work who I barely knew. I thanked them each for their gracious offer and explained that I did not want to impose my problem on them and wanted a 'Cadaveric' donation.
My good and best Doctor of ~20 years then told my wife that I was weeks away from death just about 10 days before my beeper went off. My transplant literally saved my life. I am very grateful to my donors and their families for their actions. I also had extremely good doctors for the most part. Two years ago I thanked them in a letter to each of them.
I was used twice by my transplant surgeon as an example of 'a happy and successful transplant patient' in his lunchtime continuing education classes. I think I help allay the same fears that I suffered through in at least two people.
I am happy by nature, happy that I am alive, and happy to have a really good partner in life. Back in the olden days when men could be men and there was little to no political correctness at my first office job in 1977, there was a manager who had a sign on his desk that expresses my opinion yet to this day: "I'm so happy I could just ****!"
Mike D.
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I just want to celebrate another day of livin'
I just want to celebrate another day of life
- R. Earth
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04-11-2018, 10:04 AM
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#2
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: Florida's First Coast
Posts: 7,666
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Well that deserves a VERY BIG Congratulations.....
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"Never Argue With a Fool, Onlookers May Not Be Able To Tell the Difference." - Mark Twain
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04-11-2018, 10:06 AM
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#3
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Flyover country
Posts: 25,198
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Wonderful story!
And a great reminder of why we should all be registered as organ donors.
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I thought growing old would take longer.
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04-11-2018, 10:47 AM
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#4
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: Tampa
Posts: 11,227
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MikeD
I am so happy for you and your wife. Love to hear these nice stories.
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TGIM
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04-11-2018, 11:12 AM
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#5
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Recycles dryer sheets
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: Rain City
Posts: 111
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That's a great story. I have a friend who just had a kidney transplant so it's good to hear about your successful experience.
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04-11-2018, 11:21 AM
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#6
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Full time employment: Posting here.
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Leesburg, VA
Posts: 904
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Quote:
Originally Posted by braumeister
And a great reminder of why we should all be registered as organ donors.
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While I believe that it's good to be an organ donor too, I don't stress it as I am obviously biased!
Quite a few people have told me that they think doctors will let you die sooner if they think they will get your organs. As one who is intimately involved with the whole process, I will tell you that this is not true.
Apparently, if you 'donate' a large sum of money to the right person or top off a building fund, you can get your liver transplant right away, despite having cancer or you can drink away additional livers and continue to get new ones (You know who was also really obnoxious about it). These instances are my personal belief and these topics are not well-received in the transplant community. Every single person who I have ever met who has had a transplant is extremely gracious and grateful. I literally would not be here today if it were not for the thoughtfulness of my two donors AND THEIR FAMILIES. It must be a very difficult decision to make under the circumstances. I appreciate my donors. I am glad they were so giving.
A whole lotta people seem to believe that doctors are in it for the money or other nefarious reasons. I have had a few Drs. who manipulated their appts and blood tests to their advantage. I switched providers after I figgered it out. I have been heavily involved with the medical system since 1960, which is when I was afflicted with Type 1 Diabetes. I have seen and almost experienced many things both good and bad.
The most important thing is to be careful about how you follow advice. When you are in the hospital and in bed, it's good to have a person to help you make decisions. I have my wife. She brings up things that I have never considered and helps to broaden my perspective.
I met the mother of my first transplant donor. She felt better after having helped donate her daughter's organs. Her daughter's organs help many people and she had met all but one of the recipients. That was an unusual meeting that I will never forget and had not ever expected to to be involved in.
I would like to add a sincere and grateful thank you to anyone who has decided to be an organ donor. As a two-time recipient, I know first-hand that it is appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike D.
__________________
I just want to celebrate another day of livin'
I just want to celebrate another day of life
- R. Earth
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04-11-2018, 11:45 AM
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#7
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Moderator
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Flyover country
Posts: 25,198
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MikeD
A whole lotta people seem to believe that doctors are in it for the money or other nefarious reasons.
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I had a friend who spent many years as an OR nurse in a kidney transplant unit, and she always said their team had one of the highest job satisfaction levels imaginable. They honestly took joy in what they did, and looked forward to the next one.
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I thought growing old would take longer.
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04-11-2018, 05:08 PM
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#8
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Hog Mountian
Posts: 2,077
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Thanks for sharing (both posts) MikeD.
My DS and I have always had D on our driver's license. DW - - - not so much.
However, about 3 years ago, I drug her kicking and screaming to a will, POA, and advance directive session with our attorney. When we got to the donor stuff, she was very squeamish, but I swayed her in the end.
Here's the money shot. DW is native born Korean. There is a strong cultural bias for many Koreans about entering the afterlife with all your mortal parts intact. She's a solid Christian woman, so some WWJD chit-chat won the day.
God bless you - - - and God bless her.
Sidebar.... Several years ago, there was a popular (but flawed) tv series about home giving that began the reveal with, "move that bus!). In a more memorable instance, they brought together the recipients of a young man's organs (normally NEVER allowed). there were 5-7 beautiful people that he gave extra years to.
How anyone could not be a donor befuddles me ( but that's easy). I'm in my 60's half blind, near deaf, had a cardiac infarction, and I've already pickled my liver. But, when they chuck my corpse in the hole, they're welcome to any serviceable parts.
Their MMW!
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Never let yesterday use up too much of today.
W. Rogers
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04-11-2018, 05:22 PM
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#9
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Dec 2017
Posts: 2,533
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MikeD - so glad that it worked out, and that you didn't need to take your wife's or coworker's kidney. I had a coworker who, back around 2000, donated a kidney to a complete stranger, and suffered from acute health problems related to losing the kidney ever since (more than 20 years). Enjoy life!
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04-11-2018, 05:23 PM
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#10
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,528
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What wonderful stories. Thank you so much for sharing.
DH and I have had organ donors shown on our driver's licenses for many years. I obtained the paperwork to donate my body to our university, but have not completed it yet. My DH was not in favor of this for himself or for me. I should find the paperwork and get it completed. It does stipulate that they might not take the body, if organs are missing. However, I would always want to be an organ donor first.
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04-11-2018, 09:08 PM
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#11
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: Tampa Bay Area
Posts: 1,866
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Your story made me feel so good I could just **** !
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"For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." ~
Hebrews 12:11
ER'd in June 2015 at age 52. Initial WR 3%. 50/40/10 (Equity/Bond/Short Term) AA.
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04-12-2018, 08:55 AM
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#12
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Pacific latitude 20/49
Posts: 7,677
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One of the joys coming out of the school bus tragedy in Saskatchewan is the harvesting of young and healthy organs. Also the opioid crisis is also supplying young healthy organs.
Great story Mike.
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For the fun of it...Keith
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04-12-2018, 09:33 AM
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#13
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 12,597
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I am so pleased you successfully negotiated the organ-recipient journey.
It is a hard road, though. You can be designated "not quite sick enough" to get an organ, and then suddenly "sorry, you're too sick." This happened, unfortunately, to a relative of mine.
Our estate paperwork designates us as donors, and we are registered as such with the state of Maryland. The thought of one's body possibly helping numerous people, instead of going to waste, was such a powerful motivator.
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If you understood everything I say, you'd be me ~ Miles Davis
'There is only one success – to be able to spend your life in your own way.’ Christopher Morley.
Even a blind clock finds an acorn twice a day.
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04-12-2018, 09:37 AM
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#14
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Dec 2008
Posts: 12,597
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I know some native-born Americans who hold similar beliefs about needing to be buried intact. I inquired, once, about the unavoidable "exceptions." Apparently there is a special celestial board, or council, that oversees exceptions based on military service, losing a limb in car accidents, hysterectomies, etc.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Red Badger
T
Here's the money shot. DW is native born Korean. There is a strong cultural bias for many Koreans about entering the afterlife with all your mortal parts intact. !
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__________________
If you understood everything I say, you'd be me ~ Miles Davis
'There is only one success – to be able to spend your life in your own way.’ Christopher Morley.
Even a blind clock finds an acorn twice a day.
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04-12-2018, 11:44 AM
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#15
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Syracuse
Posts: 3,501
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Thank you for the wonderful story!
Hope you don't find this offensive Mike...
https://youtu.be/DEhqzOeJnto
I've been a donor ever since I heard this song...
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“No, not rich. I am a poor man with money, which is not the same thing"
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04-12-2018, 12:34 PM
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#16
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Western NC
Posts: 4,609
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A great story.
I have a close relative who underwent a miserable year of at-home dialysis before a successful kidney transplant in their late 70s.
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04-12-2018, 01:56 PM
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#17
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Diablo Valley (SF Bay Area)
Posts: 2,705
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Whoo Hoo!
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04-12-2018, 02:06 PM
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#18
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Thinks s/he gets paid by the post
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: Champaign
Posts: 4,689
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Wow, that is awesome. I read they do not remove the bad kidney, they add a new one! Did you feel wonderful right away? Is it a long journey to get better? I always worry about this since I have kidney cysts and a lower GFR.
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"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail."
Ralph Waldo Emerson
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04-12-2018, 02:27 PM
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#19
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Northern IL
Posts: 26,819
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GravitySucks
Thank you for the wonderful story!
Hope you don't find this offensive Mike...
https://youtu.be/DEhqzOeJnto
I've been a donor ever since I heard this song...
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Odd thing is, I've been on a John Prine kick the past week, watching lots of youtube videos (old and current). I have that original album, and saw Prine a couple times in the small clubs around Chicago back in the 70's.
And I thought it would be this one ( "I'm still using it!"):
And yes, great story Mike, glad things have gone as well as they have. I figured I better check, and yes, I've got the "donor" label on my DL.
-ERD50
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04-12-2018, 06:04 PM
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#20
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Give me a museum and I'll fill it. (Picasso) Give me a forum ...
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Huntsville, AL/Helen, GA
Posts: 6,002
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Congratulations on your aniversary. Sounds as if you have received superior healthcare and taken great care of yourself. My hat is off to you.
My wife was a hospital laboratory manager and was on a transplant team three different times. She found it distasteful for a bunch of "black suits" coming into town to talk to the families of accident victims. One case, it was the first heart/lung transplant for a 3 year old child ever done. Their tiny Mississippi town's citizens paid a fortune for the surgery with fundraisers. When a second transplant was required, they raised another fortune. Politics were involved as he was just too sick to begin with. But medicine can never know the limitation of surgery without trying experimental procedures.
My wife was working when a terrible accident victim died on the operating table. In come the "black suits" like a pack of vultures. Sitting at the airport were 6 LearJets waited for the harvested organs. At hospitals all over, they were preparing patients for surgery. And transplant surgeons from all over were there to harvest organs. When it was all over, the operating room nurses and support staff were all crying saying it was the worst experience of their careers. Even finger sockets were harvested
But a few weeks later, they received thank you notes saying there were 17 victims that received transplants and who will lead much improved lives because of the family's making a difficult decision. And that all made it worth it.
You are one of the success stories. Unfortunately, transplants continue to be experimental as far as insurance companies go. They're getting better all the time though.
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