Status Update

[dseagrav]

For those who don't know, 5 years and 5 months ago, almost to the day, I was in the ICU being told my kidneys had failed and I was going to be on dialysis.

The morning of Friday the 13th, as I was preparing to go to dialysis, I got a phone call from a local number I didn't recognize that ended in 00. This is a common telemarketer thing, so I ignored it, thinking "If it's important, they'll leave voicemail or call back."

It called back immediately. The thought came to me - "Oh crap, this is the transplant office, isn't it?"

I answered, and it was. They were calling from a special line at the hospital instead of their normal line, which is why it wasn't recognized.
I was told "Get to the hospital NOW. We THINK we have a kidney. You have one hour." I alerted everyone I could who could alert others, and made the trip in record time.

There were a few hours of tests and then I was told they did have a kidney after all and I was immediately going into surgery. It was just as sudden and just as unexpected as the diagnosis.

They let me come home last Thursday. I have a mountain of pills to take and I'm sick as a dog, but I have a kidney now. Things will improve. I will get better. I can realistically have hope again.

In the US, the government does not consider dialysis is not a "cure" for renal failure. They consider it a suspension of the natural process of death. On dialysis, I was legally dead-in-waiting. "Undead", as I would joke.

Today I am alive again.

Those five words mean more than I can adequately describe.

[Lewis - A2A]

Wish you a speedy recovery and back to good health as quick as is realistically possible. At least simming isn't too physical, hope your in the virtual blue again soon.

thanks,
Lewis

[patful]

Woohoo! So happy for you, prayers for your continued recovery. Everyone should sign up for the organ donor registry. I first signed up with one of the predecessors in 1981.

[Buffy Foster]

Woot! \o/

So happy for you!

[Oracle427]

Wonderful news, hope you recover quickly!

[CAPFlyer]

Great news and glad you're recovering! Enjoy your new freedom!

[BrettT]

Awesome news!! Hope you have a rapid recovery

[wblackret]

Congratulations! Wishing you a speedy recovery!

[n421nj]

Godspeed. Perhaps the stars will align perfectly and the v35 will be released just in time for you to fly it.

[ClipperLuna]

That is good news. May you have a speedy recovery, good weather, and plenty of sim time.

[Blitzer]

Welcome back!
Hope you have a quick recovery and soon back in good health.

[aonyn]

Hi dseagrav,

That is wonderful news. I am very glad for you. The Pastor at my church had the same a few years ago, and going strong now. He had kidney problems from the time he was a kid. I hope you have an equally strong recovery and success, and will be praying. I will also share this with my Pastor if you don't mind, he can empathize as most of us are unable, having been through the same.

Regards,
Dave

[Nick - A2A]

Wonderful news dseagrav. Here's to a full and speedy recovery!

All the best,
Nick

[polluxware]

you have just made my day;) also remembered me the most important thing, what we all almost always forget amongst the smaller (VVVery important things)

be well!

[Molly - A2A]

The phrase "good news" doesn't seem enough to cover that bit of news! Best wishes and a speedy recovery for you!