Thanksgiving Day Liver Recipients, Arkansas Democrat Gazette---by Robin

http://tinyurl.com/5jc4he

Above is a link to an article written by our "state" paper about Deb's and my journey to meet. I hope you find it an interesting read. I am sorry that I can not get this to "link" without you having to cut and paste it. So, if you are inclined to want to cut and paste to read, we appreciate it. Keep your spirits high...robin

The Power of the Internet---by Robin

Today when I was thinking about what needed to be "posted", I took a moment to read a blog I am following (it is linked to this one if you wish to look at it). It's a mother's plea for her teen-age daughter's life and the mother is an e-bay friend of my daughter. This young girl, who had a liver transplant as an infant, is now in need of a kidney. No family is suitable as a donor because of the additional antibodies in her body due to the liver transplant. The mother reached out using the web to find possible donors.

This is where the story turns incredible. A potential donor has been found and it appears the transplant will occur on Dec. 26th. Through the power of the internet, donors from every state and several foreign countries sent in applications to be tested. Thanks to another willing organ donor, this time a living donor, a young girl will receive the best Christmas gift of all, a new kidney.

Reflections.........by Deb

Last night, November 23, at appx 10:30PM, was 3 years to the day when I received word that a donor liver for me was available. Also, 3 years ago it was the night before Thanksgiving. I could go into a multitude of emotions, questions, concerns, feelings that have crossed my mind today, but it won't resolve the deep wish that I knew my donor's family. Then I could hopefully offer them some comfort, wish them well & Thank them for their gift of life that they had the courage to give me. I do wonder,,,was my donor a family member headed to someone's home for Thanksgiving, was it a car accident? Was my donor preparing for Thanksgiving company & fell ill? Or maybe a battle lost with illness of some kind or a fight to recover from an accident other than an auto accident? Due to time restrictions in transporting organs, and my transplant being around 7AM on the 24th, it's evident a family had to see a loved one passing in the wee hours of the night and make a decision to share that life with strangers. I wonder before my own transplant, could I have been that giving should my loved one have passed away? I've always signed my donor card, but then I wouldn't be around to know what was happening. Mainly I wonder is my donor family happy this year and planning a family get together, instead of a funeral?I think about my own family, had I not been granted this second chance, what would my family be going through this year? Simple things we take for granted are magnified around this date. Would someone bake my son's favorite pie?, whose home would my family be gathering at? The mix of thoughts are vast, some tell me not to dwell and I'm really not, more so, I'm feeling gratitude and a sense of being alone with my emotional 'To-Do' list that gets stronger when the anniversary of my transplant is here. It's strange to be so happy, yet sad, grateful, yet frustrated, restless at heart might be the best analogy.I carry a part of this person, their family, that I owe so much to, genuinely care about and yet will probably never know.I hope someone has given the emotional support to my donor's family and they realize just how greatly their actions have affected my life. I truly do treasure each day that I have been blessed with.
B~Positive, Deb

My First Transplant Anniversary---by Robin

November 22, 2008, my family will gather to share this day of Thanksgiving. We also know my donor's family will share time remembering the loved one they lost this day. Though we may not understand their feelings, today we feel their love. It lives inside of me.
So, today while we gather to celebrate the milestone of my first transplant anniversary along with having our family Thanksgiving. We give thanks for the compassion of a stranger. We feel a kinship, a connection to you. Today we take the time to remember my donor and the family that gave me life.
Sharing your love...Robin and family

Posting comments---by Robin

It was mentioned to me that it is difficult to read or post a comment on our blog. Since Deb and I want this forum to be interactive and neither of us have found out "how" to make the comment column easily visable with an ongoing list of responses,I thought...TA-DA, I need to make a post on "comments".
So, if you would like to make a comment, suggestion, share personal information or experiences on this blog, note at the bottom of each post there is a place that says "comments". If you click on the word "comment", it will direct you to another page where you can post or read other's comments.
Sadly, I do not know how to make the list ongoing so you do have to go to each days posting to see if a comment has been made or to post your own. If someone who is more internet/computer savvy than us knows how to make a separate column for comments to be posted that is more easily accessed, please post that information or e-mail us at www.TeamThanksgiving@MSN.com.
We would also like to ask you to please "sign in" when you visit. We have no way of telling who you are unless you "sign in" using a log-in or name we recognize.
Keep your spirits high...robin

Conflicted Times---by Robin

I've postponed writing the last few days because I am feeling a great deal of conflict at this time. I do have an idea the source of the conflict but I believe time will be the only resolution, if it does resolve.
Yesterday, I went for my first annual check up after transplant. It was uneventful with the exception that all of my liver function labs are elevated. Seems the Hepatits C is roaring it's ugly head.
Saturday, four days from now, will be my transplant date. Though I want to feel nothing but happiness there is this internal turmoil. I know that while my family is sharing in the joy of my good health my donor family is experiencing the anniversary of their loss of a loved one.
In each day I hold in my heart and soul warm thoughts of my donor family. I hope they have found a sense of peace and satisfaction with their decision to make my first anniversary possible.
If by chance my donor family would happen upon this blog, I hope they recognize that they are always near, in my thoughts. I am never alone as I always have the presence of their loved one inside of me. I hope they realize my gratitude and appreciation.

Annual/Anniversary Check-ups...by Deb

Tiz the season, for annual checkups for obviously Robin & I both. Each one a milestone, a confirmation of sorts that you've made it another year.My first annual checkup was such a thrill, more than one doctor stepped in, my coordinator was there. Quite close to a celebration. I had to go see the diabetes practitioner after wards. I was given the all clear on being diabetic, no more shots. Yeah.. *Some transplant patients are diabetic following surgery, I was lucky to be one of those for whom it didn't last.My Transplant doctors didn't require I come back for a whole year, which was great since I'd figured it might be 6 months. I had a bone density test in addition to liver enzyme tests, as well as having my labs extended from bi-weekly to monthly.Second annual checkup, noted difference, I saw the doctor, missed my coordinator & was sent home for another year with monthly labs. Most recent, November 12th, 2008... a 12 hour-35 minute , solo round trip to St Louis for annual checkup #3. I saw one of my doctors, we had a nice chat, he gave me a quick going over. Told me if my lab work is good in December I can start on a schedule of labs every 6-8 weeks. Missed meeting my new coordinator. This is good, it's a sign that all's well and I'm doing fine. Yet, with each year I find myself in the survival column of national statistics I feel a bit let down that my doctors, coordinator and nurses don't have party hats and horns for my liver & me. I'm still Thrilled!!So, I leave happy, content with "see you in a year" & deep down Pray that is true.. Barring something drastic, I will consult my family doctor for routine health care & call in my vitals to my Liver Docs when I have my labs done. Plus, hope for another pretty day in November 09 to drive to St Louis for Annual Checkup 4.
B~Positive, Deb