| Transplant Story Way back in 1992 I learned that I had a hereditary disease known as Polycystic Kidney Disease also known as PKD. This meant that as most people have one or two cysts on their kidneys, I had dozens. Many that would grow, multiply and eventually shut down my kidneys. Fast forward to Nov. 2006 when things got so bad I had to go on dialysis. This meant being hooked up to a machine for four hours three days a week. Dialysis really wears you out but makes life much better than no renal function at all.
In the following months I put the word out to friends and family looking for a donor kidney. Most donor organs come from the recently deceased and very few are from living donors. Many came forward and got tested but the biggest surprise came from a woman I did not even know. She was one of the singers in our church choir and felt the hand of God pushing her forward. Her name is Anita. She tested well as a match and surgery was scheduled for May 7th, 2007. I still cannot comprehend the divine and wonderful gift of life. The love of Christ brought us together and continues to both bless and challenge. Every day is amazing so please excuse me for not updating the website very often. The doctors no longer allow me to smoke a pipe but that doesn't mean I can't enjoy making them. Oh, and please sign up to be an organ donor. It's not only the seniors in our community that need new life, many, many younger people and children need help too. Tom
Tom and Anita before and after surgery.
|
