Why I am thankful this day. [View all]
As horrible as I have felt the last two weeks, not feeling like I had anything to be thankful for, I was reminded by my twin what she was thankful for. That being me.
I received a donor kidney in Jul 2015. Because of my advanced age (65) when I filled out the paperwork through the transplant center I marked I would be willing to accept a tier 2 kidney. This is a level that takes at risk donors. I figured at my age I was willing to take any kidney available. I was on peritoneal dialysis for about 5 months when I got a call from the transplant team. The surgeon called me to ask if I would be willing to take the kidney they had available. It had been turned down by two previous candidates. She explained it was from a homosexual man who had been in a monogamous relationship for 14 years. Because I knew the rigorous testing done on all donor kidneys I did not hesitate. I told her hell yes I'll take the kidney. I was so overwhelmed I actually hung up on her. The call came in at about 1100 pm while I was doing my overnight dialysis, and I was in the hospital by 400am. The kidney is so large my surgeon kidded me I needed to name it. So because my Dad was bigger than life, my kidney is Ralph. 
The transplant went well, and I do have a wonderful life. Thank you anonymous donor. I owe you my life.
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