George...

George is an older gentleman that I met a year ago in June when I had my first visit to the Transplant Clinic.  Whenever I have Thursday morning appointments, he is in the waiting room talking to everyone since that is the day that they meet with new patients.  George told me today that tomorrow would be his 11 year anniversary since he had his liver transplant and he feels better than he has ever felt in his life right now.  He looks pretty healthy and active for being in his 70's or so too.

 I look forward to seeing George now, but I wasn't sure about him the first time I met him.  While we were waiting he was talking to me about his transplant, what the process was like, and verbalized a lot of the fears and thoughts that I was definitely having but not ready to say out loud yet.  I was quite tear-y in the waiting room and wasn't sure that I liked that at all!  Still, there is a lot of power and reassurance in talking to someone who has been through it and can give  you hope for the future.  It really does make a difference when you are talking with someone that has been thru the experience rather than the medical staff (good though they are..).

Since then, I've seen him about 2 or 3 other times and the one thing that he always says that brings a smile to my face is that "you don't look sick enough to need a transplant".  I expect that it won't stay that way, and that I will become more jaundiced but for now I'm glad that I still look pretty healthy even though I'm not.  The other thing he says is "don't put your life on hold waiting" and "do the things you want to do.  Don't limit yourself because you are waiting for a transplant".  I like hearing that because I really am trying to do the things I want to do, at least as much as I am able.  Certainly don't want to put my life on hold because of this.  

The last few weeks have been great-  seeing "Mary Poppins", going to the Greek Festival, going to breakfast and a small farmer's market at Wheeler Farm, going to the Utah State Fair, etc.  I do wear myself out sometimes but its been really fun too.  I'll post pictures of some of these events later.  

Back to the medical stuff, I think the waiting part is the worst.  Waiting to get sick enough to get a transplant and then hoping that you don't become so sick that you are no longer eligible while you wait.  80% of people get the needed transplants which means that 1 in 5 don't...  There just aren't enough organ donors.

I hope that everyone that I know leads a long, happy, and healthy life and don't wish anything bad to happen to anyone.  However, things do happen and one family's tragedy can lead to another's chance at life and health.  If you have considered being a donor but haven't signed up yet, please do so.  If you have never thought about it, please take the time to consider becoming a donor.  You may end up saving the life of a person and turning a tragedy into a wonderful gift.  It might even be someone like me that you may not have even known was struggling with their health.  If you are already a potential donor-- thank you!  And thanks to everyone that is at least willing to think about it.