Are you more excited to hear about it, or that I might stop talking about it soon? :P
I was a nervous wreck yesterday, of course. I think I almost squeezed Cullen's fingers off on the way once we got to the hospital and were walking to the board room. I was a ball of NERVES!!! THANK GOD we were the first ones there- that was PERFECT. I much wanted that instead of walking into a room full of people. I got to say hi to the transplant team before it got crazy, which was really nice.
Kare 11 was already there, and Renee came and said hi and then asked if she could interview me afterward. Then she realized that we were the first ones there and said maybe they'd do it then instead. So we went for it. She'd ask something and I'd answer. Suddenly, JA from the U comes over and says "Your recipient is here! Come and meet him!" and there he was, with roses for me, and tears in his eyes. I don't remember much of what I did or said but it gave me tears and I got to HUG HIM....and I know he was thanking me over and over and crying. His name is Shannon, he lives in Minot and he is a CHAMPION. I understand why he calls me his hero, but talk about heros- this man has been through more than most of us ever will. He is the epitome of strength. His health was not good. He didn't have much longer. He is normally 170 pounds when healthy. His brother died of kidney failure in 2003 and he was sure he was next. He had been wheelchair bound for 6 months before surgery- he hadn't walked in SIX MONTHS!!!!!!! He was 101 pounds the day of surgery. !!!! He is up and walking, and 130 and gaining!!!! I have NO WORDS. I just love him to pieces already. Meeting him was an honor that I have no words for.
There were cameras flashing like crazy and microphones hoovering nearby non stop. Shannon's sister, who donated in his honor, came over. Cullen and I met everyone in the chain. It was just incredible! So many people live right around here! It's crazy! I hope we have some new friends we get to keep. Matt, who was the last recipient in the chain, has 3 kids 3 and under. That sounds so familiar, hehe! The stories are AWESOME! Prescilla, who was told she would likely not ever be matched because of her antibodies, got a 6 out of 6- a PERFECT MATCH. The surgeon said the don't see that in identical twins often! Talk about MIRACLES. It went way too fast, I didn't get to talk to everyone and hear their stories, but I think I'll get to because most of us will keep in touch now.
I don't feel like I had surgery so it was strange to see Shannon and know that a part that was in my body is now in his. He told me about getting the phone call- he had given up when he found out his sister couldn't donate to him but she wasn't going to- it was she that found out about paired donation and signed them up. They were matched THE NEXT WEEK!!!! Timing is everything and to see such a big love touches me deeply. I asked him what the last dialysis treatment was like- he said he was so happy to be done, that dialysis is so harsh but sometimes he felt so sick that he actually looked forward to it. He was on it for 1.5 years. When my kidney was in the air, they got him hooked up for the last time. They let him say HI to his new kidney before surgery- wheeled him right over to it so he could see it! Is that the coolest thing EVER?! He has pictures of getting out of bed and walking for the first time in 6 months. Can my head even HOLD that *I* had any part of that? How wild IS THAT! He has 2 kids, 21 and 23. I wish they were closer so we could see them NOW. The kids are so excited to meet him.
The connection I feel with everyone that was there somehow is bigger than kidneys. It's more about an understanding - having a love so big that there just are no boundries.
I really just love everyone there. The U did such a great job, Abbott was amazing and I can't wait to see all the pictures that they all got! The pioneer press's article is my favorite so far because Chris links all the people together so you can see just how it went down- he did a great job! SO MUCH FUN!
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