Gratitude and Perspective: 17 Years Post-Transplant

Seventeen years ago on August 26th, 2003 my life was forever changed. If that sounds dramatic it’s for good reason. The night before I received a phone call. On the other end, a voice told me they had a liver waiting for me. The pleasantries were spared – I was to make my way to the hospital immediately.

If you’ve ever been told to run, not walk this was one of those times. I quickly made my way to the hospital and several hours later received my transplant.

Stronger cough medicine

When I was 13, I caught a cold that wouldn’t go away. After trying my fair share of cough medicine my mom had enough and decided it was time to see a doctor.

From left to right, my mom, brother-in-law, and two of my sisters waiting on the tarmac for my plane to land to fly me to St. Louis.

The doctor uncovered something more sinister than the common cold. He was sure what it was, but the blood work revealed elevated liver enzymes. After being passed around from doctor to doctor I was referred on to the liver specialist at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. 

Ultimately I was diagnosed with a rare liver disease that was attacking my own organ. And for the next two-plus years they did everything in their power to repair it.

The doctors tried everything, but modern medicine didn’t have an answer outside of a liver transplant. Long story short, I was once again transferred and received treatment at Barnes Jewish Hospital.

It was there in St. Louis, Missouri on August 26th, 2003 I received my life-saving organ transplant.

Fast forward 17 years

I’m thirty-three now and was sixteen at the time of my liver transplant. This means, as of today, I’ve had this organ longer than my original one. To stop and think about it is quite strange. For seventeen years I’ve been walking around with someone else’s organ inside my body.

If it weren’t for this liver, my life would have most likely ended nine months after August. But thanks to answered prayer and the help of modern medicine my time on earth has been extended.

Rather than living on borrowed time, I was given a second chance at life. It’s been a chance to pursue my God-given goals and to marry the girl of my dreams, to raise a family, and ultimately, finish whatever task my heavenly Father put me on this earth for.

Today has caused me to pause and reflect. People often flippantly say they’ve been blessed. And they probably have been. But I don’t know if we truly appreciate all the ways we’ve been blessed.

When you’re laying on an operation table scanning the utensils prepared to open you up, you’re forced to put things into perspective. You might say life becomes a little more valuable. Because at that moment, you truly realize how fragile it is.

Memories become more valuable. Experiences become more valuable. You look forward to things like stepping outside and taking a breath of fresh air. Or running out the door to have lunch with a close friend. All the things in life we often take for granted but should be grateful for.

It’s a healthy perspective. Anyone on their deathbed or suffering from a terminal illness has a very clear definition of gratitude. If nothing else, but to wish for more, they cherish the memories they’ve collected.

You’ll never hear them wish they’d spent a few more long nights in the office or saved up more vacation days. They probably don’t regret being skipped over for the promotion or wish they had a few more outfits in their wardrobe.

We talk a lot about health: consuming healthy nutrition, exercising regularly, and, in general, taking care of our physical state.

But what is physical health without mental, emotional, and spiritual health? If we’re to obtain the former without the latter, we might as well be well-oiled machines.

Lessons learned from a different perspective

Can I get a little vulnerable for a moment?

If you’re still reading I’m going to assume you’re okay with it. 

I learned a lot from my experience 17 years ago. It’s provided a healthy perspective. But time passes you slip into routine and you often forget about the lessons you’ve learned. So, today, I want to reflect back upon those things I learned, remind myself, and also share these insights with you.

LESSON 1:

Prior to receiving my life-saving organ transplant, my doctors estimated I had 12 months to live. Well, here I am 192 months after that deadline. What did I learn from that? Well, a lot of things. But the main lesson I came away with is quite simple: God is goooooood!

LESSON 2:

I’ve been a gym rat since I was 11 years old. Today, I’m 185 pounds on a good day (I’ve worked for each of those pounds...and yes, ladies, that might sound strange). But the first day I was able to get out of bed post-transplant I weighed a whopping 125 pounds. 

For the next 6 months after being discharged, I consumed EVERYTHING in sight! I worked hard to get back to where I wanted to be.

I was told I would live a “new normal” after the operation. But I rejected that idea. To me, that meant a lesser version of what I had set out for. I had just come through nearly 20 surgeries (some minor, some major) – I wasn’t about to waste this second chance by living out a stunted version of the life I had been given.

So, what did I learn from it? Realize that you don’t have to follow the path someone else has defined for you. Setting your own, the one you desire more, may require more work. But trust me, you’ll enjoy it a whole lot more.

LESSON 3:

During countless office visits and inpatient stays, I probably spent… well, I don’t really know the number of months it would add up to. But I spent a lot of time in hospitals. A good portion of that time was spent listening to others share their story.

I heard about their regrets, their victories, and what they looked forward to once this season of life was over. While listening to all these stories I learned that life was too short not to go after the goals I had and not to be afraid of looking stupid while doing it.

Why do I tell you this?

I don’t tell you this to say I can relate to what you’re going through. I can’t. 

But if anything, I say it to encourage you. I hope you realize you’re more than your discouragement or the trial you’re going through.

Rather than holding your breath and hoping for the next stage to begin, appreciate each season of life. Savor the good moments of life and learn from the trials. Realize they have an end. But in the midst of it, look for what can be learned.

 And enjoy the small things. Life is more than the sum of peaks and valleys. Take a step outside and breathe deeply. Feel the sun on your face and just sit in the experience of the moment. And do one more thing: call your friend or brother or sister or parent and take them for lunch today.