I'm here to tell you, there is nothing simple about organ transplants.
The more I learn about organ transplant, the need for organ donors and all the endless red-tape involved the more I see a need for public awareness and public education. For some unknown reason, organ donation has never really been presented to the public until this past year. Sure, there have been signs in hospitals and clinics but this life-giving cause needs to be on TV, radio, billboards and even on talk shows!
People, here where I live, didn't know much about organ donation until I started promoting it. Is it that way in your community? What do we need to do to get the word out?
I have had speaking engagements at several local clubs such as our local Rotary and various ladies clubs. I want to do my part to promote education for this worthwhile and life-giving cause.
My personal story started 20 months ago, after being accepted by the UNMC Transplant Program in Omaha, NE. Since then, I have been very patient and have worked my way to the #1 spot for waiting time. Although I have had quite a few problems, I know a lot of people who need a liver transplant now....
I can feel my body getting weaker. I can feel the swelling of my liver and spleen. My last Ultra-sound showed my spleen to be as large as a normal person's liver and my liver to be swollen so large that it is pushing and squeezing my other organs. My encephalopathy is getting worse daily along with my eyesight. I am on transplant lists at UNMC in Omaha and at the University of Iowa at Iowa City, IA. The transplant surgeon at U of I,
Dr. Wu, told me I could likely live until the first of the year (1999) and after that, he guaranteed nothing.
I have myself prepared for either way it may go, either living or dying. I have put my fate in the hands of the Lord and I don't worry about it anymore........ (more to come as health permits)........
Click on the green Organ Donor Ribbon
and read The "Reel" Miracle (my liver transplant, 1998)
