And the Stars Still Shine.....

I wasn't going to make a big deal out of yet another transplantaversary but I feel that I have to.

Today, August 2, it's been two years since I got my second chance at life.
A friend asked me if it felt like it just happened yesterday or a long time ago. I said "Yes."
In some instances it seems like light years ago already - eons since I took my last shot of insulin. Of course when you go from 4 and 5 shots a day down to none it's nice to forget about it. When you don't damn near die from severe hypoglycemia every few weeks it feels good to put that behind you as quickly as possible.
In many other ways, as I relive all of the events of two years ago this weekend, it seems like it all just happened. So many details that have been burned into my eidetic memory make it seem like I just lived those 27 days in the hospital yesterday. I vividly recall the scenes, sounds, smells, the people, the timing, the most minute extraneous details or at least those that weren't shrouded by the haze of some very good drugs. Now with those memories and all of  the background information that I have since sleuthed out about my donor and their story, I have even more to add to the tableau of the whole experience.

This past Friday, July 31st,  I paused shortly after 12:30 pm to mark the exact time when my donor sustained the injury that left him with final cessation of activity in his central nervous system.
That day's weather was sunny and warm, with a beautiful crystal-blue sky just like it was here on Friday. I can't even begin to explain to you the thoughts, the feelings, the cosmic forces, that draw my eyes to the sky and make me wonder out loud.

Yesterday at 11:45 am, I remembered that at the same time two years ago, I was just about to have lunch with my son Nick, - BLT's with tomatoes and lettuce from my garden, when I received the call from the transplant center. With permission from the tx coordinator I ate my BLT and not only was it fantabulous but it was also the last "real food" that I would have for the next 10 days. After I ate that lunch I took a shower, paid some bills, cleaned up around my house, and left for the transplant center all the while not knowing if this would be another dry run or not. In fact, even after going through all of the pre-op tests, bloodwork, x-rays, and speaking with my surgeon Dr. Narins and Becca, my transplant coordinator,  I was told that we wouldn't know until early the following day if things were going to be a go. True to the doctor's word I heard from the staff shortly after 8 o'clock the next morning that the surgeons were on their way back with organs that were in great shape and that the surgery would begin around 11 am.

                                                                     Visuals


And so.....as I write this.....two years to the minute right now I was in pre-op being readied for the life changing operation. Although I hadn't slept much the night before, and they had already given me some meds to relax me a bit, I was still wound up tighter than a two dollar watch watching everyone and what they were doing, asking questions, making observations. Pretty much just bouncing off the stretcher. Then I said byes to my family and they wheeled me into the operating room, slid me onto the table and started the big IV and that was it. I was in the doctor's hands and the arms of God for the next seven hours.

Two years later here I am. It hasn't been without some bumps in the road and I still deal with some of those bumps. But even on the worst day I have now, all I have to do is to think back on how I was feeling shortly before the surgery and any "bumps" pale in comparison.

Each morning as I get to my feet I thank God for this day. I know a lot of people do this but when you come so close to not having it....things are just a little sweeter. I still hope that I can be of help to anyone who may be facing this procedure. To give them knowledge, insight, and encouragement at a time when they need it most. In my case, I had my friend Jan as my own tx coach to answer my questions, boost and bolster me through the dark times and be completely supportive through my recovery.
I am very thankful for the tremendous blessings of my donor, his family, my family, the doctors, the incredible nurses, and staff at Pinnacle, and for all of my friends.

Thanks for sharing this ride with me.

Twenty Months

Today at this moment TWENTY months ago, I was in the midst of my life saving transplant.
If you live in Pennsylvania, have friends or interests in Pennsylvania, could you please consider supporting SB 180?
Hopefully this year we can get this passed and there will be many more people giving thanks for 20 months and perhaps many more of  healthy life.
I've met this kid Tony, he is quite the optimistic guy and we can sure use more of his kind in this world.
Let's give him a chance at a much better life.

Thanks!

Senate Bill 180 Resources          Find Your Senator       stornone@donors1.org