Why I am thankful this day.

[GentryDixon]

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.

[femmocrat]

1. God bless those organ donors.

So glad you are doing well, GentryDixon.

[GentryDixon]

3. I went to check my availability of giving my baby sister a kidney in the mid 80's.

She was a brittle diabetic in dire need of a kidney. In the testing phase they found my kidneys were compromised so my twin was the next best match. Baby sis lived just over 12 years with her new kidney. My twin is doing well all these years on one kidney, as am i, so we are blessed.

Organ donation is so beneficial. With my health and age, skin and eyes may be the only available organs, but because I want to be cremated, they may have anything they deem useful.

[shenmue]

2. Hug

[Fla Dem]

4. May you live a long and loving life. Truly that is all the donor would want from you.

[SamIam715]

5. My twin💕

GentryDixon is my beloved twin. Why I missed her post on Thanksgiving is beyond me. She said she mentioned it. I believe her...because of my advanced age (67 now), most things I'm told either go right over my head, or are lost in some memory bank that has long since given up on me. I am so thankful for my womb mate and love her dearly. We are a close family of sisters (minus one now 😔...) who love and support each other every day. We were very lucky to be raised by Ralph and Winnie and miss them dearly, though we're lucky to have had them all of those years (they were married almost 67 years when dad passed, mom to follow not long after).

Being an organ donor and having my twin receive one illustrates the importance of organ donorship. We certainly know this first hand.

[GentryDixon]

6. My best and true love. ❤

We are one, for sure. You are now the baby sister. 🍷🐾

[NJCher]

7. wow, what a story

We're thankful right along with you.


Cher

[GentryDixon]

8. Thank you Cher.

Love your dinner menus.

[SamIam715]

9. Remembering why I was thankful...

One day, not long after Genty's transplant, I was walking around with my other two sisters at a small local art's festival in our small, very conservative town and state. I stopped by one display to admire the artwork where I overheard 4 people talking in hushed tones. My ears perked up as I caught more of the conversation. They were discussing someone's need for a kidney and how it had been turned down. One woman said, with her voice dripping with hate, "well! You Do know that kidney was already turned down by at least one another family, don't you??!!" Wherein someone chimed in, "well ! He was black! And a homosexual as well!" I'd heard enough. I interrupted them and told them that my sister had in fact taken that kidney. As they sputtered out their shock at being overheard in this disgusting conversation one of them did manage to ask how my sister was doing. I told them very well indeed, and before I turned to walk away I said, "I never thought I would celebrate bigotry and homophobia but because of such attitudes my sister was going to live."

I was truly thankful for hate that day.

[GentryDixon]

10. We were raised in love and harmony.

Therein lies the difference.

[hamsterjill]

11. Your post is inspiring.

First, congratulations on the success of your transplant, and I wish you well for a continued wonderful life. My thanks to the anonymous donor in your situation, and those in all situations.

It is (indeed) important, especially in these trying times, that we try to remember those things which we can be thankful for.

[GentryDixon]

12. Thank you hamsterjill.

I am indeed blessed.

[Tobin S.]

13. What a great post! How can there be only 12 recs? :)

[Phentex]

14. 13 now

for the wonderful news