Give A Kidney & Part Of A Liver
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Today was another trip to Hartford Hospital to see Audrey and guess what, NO BLOOD! I don’t know if they figured I didn’t have any left or the vampire reserve was full. So they had me meet with a few people.

My first guest was a hospital social worker. She was very nice and wanted to make sure I had a good support system when I got back home. I told her I think some people are setting up schedules to who will check on me at 9, at noon, at 4, and so on.

Next up, an EKG! I think they confirmed I had a heart, and it was good. I knew something was going on when the nurse told me to take off my shirt. When I asked her if I could trust her, she immediately said ‘NO!’ I knew right then it was going to be a good day. The EKG was fine, but when she took the electrode patches off me, ouch, ouch, ouch. I hadn’t had an EKG in decades, but I remember suction cups with gel on the sensors. These electrode patches were sticky. My chest hair now has bald spots. (It really wasn’t that bad.)

I also saw two doctors whom gave me a going over. A poke here and a probe there. They also wanted to make sure I wasn’t being pressured into doing this.

So, it looks like I’m the ‘perfect donor’.

Next up, the MRA and meeting with the surgical team.

I’m hoping for surgery the week of the 21st of May.

Let’s GO!

I attended a meeting this morning with the Glastonbury Chamber of Commerce. It was a breakfast meeting but I couldn’t eat anything because I had to ‘fast’. Oh yes, after spending all day yesterday trying to surpass my previous gallon collection, today was the day to deposit my second gallon. No, it was not anywhere near full. The people at the lab were happy to see me back. So much so, they wanted yet another vial of blood to remember me by. I think they want to clone me.

Well today was my psychological evaluation with a Psychologist at Hartford Hospital. What was planned for an hour turned into two. They want to make sure I am not being pressured into doing this and I’m aware of the risks. Of course, the fact that I am doing this, to some, questions a sound mind. All went well.

I decided to stop by and see Audrey White (kidney transplant coordinator). We discussed the remaining steps and everything is still on track. I believe my MRA will determine if I have two healthy kidneys myself. I’m surprised that wasn’t one of the first test. That would be the only issue preventing the donation at this point. I hope they’re both there and healthy.

Next Friday, I meet with the surgical team.

Oh yes, Audrey didn’t let me leave without another ‘gallon’. Here we go again! I think I can handle it.

All the tests came back with no problems at all. Just a few more to go.

There have been some friends who have been trying to talk me out of doing this. The only thing that would stop me is if they found that I don’t have a good kidney to give. That test should be in the beginning of May.

I have made such a commitment to this, that I would be extremely disappointed at myself if I did not do it.

Those who don’t want me to do this are afraid for me, and I think, for themselves. If you are never scared, embarrassed, or hurt, it means you never take chances. I know anything can go wrong, but I am willing to take those chances. To me, this is not a big deal. I have been told to expect one week in the hospital and two to four weeks at home in bed. If you really stop and think about it with an open mind, that is not a long time. Again I am not a believer in extending life as much as I am for ‘quality of life’.

Compared to the great increase in the quality of life this can bring someone else, being laid up for that short period of time is nothing (or almost nothing).

Now we’re going to get heavy:

Again, I am aware anything can happen. I want it known right now that if anything does happen, let me go, and every single part of me better be harvested for someone.

No one has to worry about ‘pulling the plug’ because there won’t even be a plug to begin with. The only life support used better be to keep other organs functioning until a recipient if found.

I feel personally honored to be able go give something like my kidney to help someone. I know there are other people who feel the same way.

Today is Tuesday, and did I sleep good!

That’s all.

Today is Monday, and ‘The Great Colonoscopy Day’. This afternoon I saw Dr. Kristina Johnson of the Connecticut Surgical Group. She must have drawn the short straw, for she performed the procedure. Seriously, she was recommended by a friend of mine. She and her staff were great! I don’t remember a thing. I don’t even remember waking up.
A neighbor brought me in and his wife picked me up to bring me home. You don’t even want to try to drive. Thanks Gene and Stella!
I really wasn’t very hungry this evening, all I had was just a few pieces of sushi. That’s good, I like being down ten pounds to 190.
Good Night!

Today is Sunday, and tomorrow is the Great Colonoscopy. That means today is ‘Prep Day’. ‘Prep Day’ is an adventure; you have to flush everything out of your system. I thought I would make it easier, so on Saturday, I had only yogurt to eat along with some dark chocolate.
My prep started at 2 pm with the drinking of the Fleet Phosphosoda (YUK!). I took it straight and chased it with cranberry juice. The taste only lasted a few seconds, but the effects lasted a good eight hours. Every hour, until 10 pm, something needed to be ingested (mostly water). I could have eaten Jello, clear soups or clear fruit juices, but besides the cranberry juice, I decided to just do the water route.
It wasn’t bad not eating all day. The hardest part was at night watching TV and seeing all those food ads. Even the McDonald’s ads looked good.
A short time ago, my soon-to-be 19 year old daughter, Katlyn, text messaged me:

K: So where do you stand with your test

H: I have a procedure tomorrow and they have to schedule a psyc eval.

K: Psyc Evaluation?

H: They want to make sure I’m not crazy for doing this

K: Well I think you are

H: You’re not alone!

K: ha ha ha