Time flies; today I celebrate the 9th anniversary of my kidney transplant

 

Monday, May 9, 2022

Marking the 5th anniversary today of my life-saving kidney transplant

I'm feeling incredibly grateful today to have been part of a nine-way kidney transplant five years ago at Yale New Haven Hospital. 

I can't say enough good things about the doctors, nurses, and all who helped me through the entire process.

And I'm forever grateful to my altruistic donor, Robin Gilmartin. She is seated at my right in the photo. 

To my left is Ralph's wonderful sister, Sue Watson, for whom I'm also forever grateful. She got the ball rolling, so to speak, by coming forward to be a donor for me. It turned out her kidney was a better match for the man to her left, Bill Greenwood. 

Please click here to learn more about becoming an organ donor.

Indiana mother's story underlines importance of living organ donation

This is shared from Facebook post

A distant cousin who I've only met through Facebook posted this story about an Indiana woman who shares my maiden name and, unfortunately, the same disease.

Kelly MacDonald Rice, 42, is a mother of two who desperately needs a kidney. 

Like me, she is living with Polycystic Kidney Disease, and my heart went out to her.

I inherited the disease from my father's (McDonald/ MacDonald) side. I call it the family curse. He and four of his siblings had PKD. Several cousins also have/had it.

I was extremely fortunate to receive a kidney five years ago from an altruistic donor, Robin Gilmartin. I'll be forever grateful to her for her life-changing gift.  

I messaged Kelly yesterday and learned she had started dialysis treatments last week.

Please read her story and, if you're able, consider becoming a living organ donor. You'll be giving someone a new lease on life.

Recuperation journey: National Donate Life Month starts today

As someone who was fortunate enough to have a kidney transplant in 2017 I thought I'd post this as a reminder of becoming an organ donor. 
I can never thank my altruistic kidney donor, Robin Gilmartin, enough for her gift. 

Remember: you only need one kidney. If you're a healthy and fit adult (between ages 18-60) please consider being a living donor. 
You may just save someone's life.

Recuperation journey: April is National Donate Life Month

Celebrated in April each year, National Donate Life Month features local, regional, and national activities to help encourage Americans to register as organ, eye, and tissue donors and to celebrate those that have saved lives through the gift of donation.

As I approach my one-year anniversary in May of receiving a kidney from an altruistic donor I wanted to share this reminder about organ donation. 
I celebrate her and I could never thank her enough! 
I also celebrate Ralph's sister Suzanne, who originally came forward last year to donate to me, but her kidney went to another needy Connecticut resident who also was suffering with kidney disease.

Consider registering to be an organ donor! It's the best gift you can give another person.

Recuperation journey: Another gift from a special friend

Not only did my new friend Robin give me her kidney, she gave me a key fob featuring a bone kidney!

Robin Gilmartin of West Hartford is an altruistic donor who gave up a healthy kidney on May 9 for a perfect stranger, which turned out to be yours truly. 

She found the kidney on this fun site featuring gifts for transplant patients. 

Who knew there was kidney transplant jewelry? Not I. 
But I like it! 
I wonder which pair of earrings I will buy? Hmmm...

Recuperation journey: My wonderful donor

I love this photo! 
From left: my wonderful kidney donor, Robin Gilmartin of West Hartford, me, my equally wonderful sister-in-law Suzanne Watson of Laconia, N.H. (Ralph's baby sister), and Suzanne's kidney recipient, William Greenwood of Bethel.

I can't thank Robin enough for her altruistic gift.


Photo by Allegra Villers