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Dialysis Discussion => Dialysis: News Articles => Topic started by: okarol on December 03, 2008, 10:08:59 AM
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'Happiness with my third kidney'
A POINT OF AWARENESS
By Preciosa S. Soliven Updated December 04, 2008 12:00 AM
(Part 2 of a series on Celebrating Life After Kidney Transplant)
In the book, I Have Three Kidneys, Dr. Rose Marie O. Rosete-Liquete has collected a series of moving stories of 15 patients and their relatives. They have one thing in common: the passion to live and to celebrate their second (or third) chance at life. As Dr. Liquete stated, “Life after transplant remains beautiful despite the struggle.”
In search for justice for his failing health
Dr. Liquete included the kidney story of my husband, MAX V. SOLIVEN. She stated “Sir Max, as we fondly call him, the feisty and renowned journalist who had always taken up the cudgels for others, waged his own battle and searched for justice for his failing health.”
It takes strength of character to face the challenges brought by renal failure. MARILOU LAZO-GARCIA and JESSICA SYQUIJOR have beaten the odds and faced their own fears, insecurities and depressions. Marilou had her kidney transplant 22 years ago. Now, she has made her mark as an advocate of renal disease education and transplantation, not only as a professional but also as a volunteer president of the Kidney Transplant Association of the Philippines (KITAP). Jessica, born with Spina bifida, has proven to all that physical deformity and a kidney failure are not hindrances to the pursuit of a goal. Now a lawyer and a junior state solicitor, she persists on achieving excellence and is pursuing her masters in law.
‘Miracle’ stories
Dr. Liquete has gathered “miracle” stories, which are deeply anchored on the spiritual and religious dimensions. SUSAN FUENTES, a successful recording artist in the ’70s, lost everything including her kidneys, to a decadent lifestyle but has rebounded and now sings joyfully for the Lord. She says, “Through my newfound faith reinforced by my experiences in life, my view has dramatically changed. Right now, I spend my time with the Praise and Worship Team of the Joshua Global Ministry, a Full Gospel born-again congregation. I may not be singing anymore in the eyes and ears of the public, but I sing for the only One God, the magnificent Creator and Savior.”
DR. DINAH CABALLES, with her profound devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, had “close encounters” with Her. AGNES FIEL, a Novice, was forced to leave her religious vocation because of her renal failure. But, she continues to serve God through her advocacy work among kidney transplant patients.
LUDING AMPARO, now 73 years old, and who recently celebrated her 20 years of living with her son’s kidney, still operates a bakeshop and a sari-sari store in Davao. She even goes to the casino for bingo socials and is living life to the fullest. MONETTE AGARIN was once afraid to love and to marry, but now has an understanding and loving husband and a healthy son.
Winning medals after transplant
TOM ALANO, a sickly child at the age of two, had his transplant at the age of nine. He refuses to be different in school as he pushes himself to excel despite his “special condition”. He has surpassed trials unimaginable for a child and has received 21 medals from kindergarten to Grade 3. He is now in Grade 4 and has become a stronger person.
MARILYN APOLINARIO, a widow 16 years after her transplant, single-handedly raised and nurtured her two daughters – and her kidney. RODEL UNGGOS, an overseas Filipino worker (OFW), not only had two kidney transplants but is now blessed with a second wedded life. His first wife, a kidney transplant patient herself, died two years after their marriage. The second bore him two children with whom he shares a happy family life. EMERSON CANO, another OFW in Saudi Arabia, fought his own inner battle as the Gulf War exploded in his midst. The blood transfusions he needed badly could not be administered to him because the wounded soldiers needed these too, and they were of paramount priority over a sick and dying Filipino.
Marilyn, Rodel and Emerson have discovered the athlete in them. They have joined national and international sports competitions for kidney transplant survivors and have won gold and silver medals. But as Emerson puts it, “Although, I have won competitions… the ‘battle’ is not over yet… I know I should never give up for myself, for my family, and for others, and everything I want to fight for. This time, I am fighting a real battle to survive and live a productive and rewarding life.”
Inspiration to other patients
Marilou Garcia found herself volunteering as a registrar at the KITAP Christmas party only less than a month after her transplant. Since then she had been elected for office as secretary until she became president for four consecutive years. She became active not only in socials, but also in sports, traveling to five continents to participate in Transplant Games. She also worked as a transplant coordinator of the National Kidney Transplant Institute. Then, she moved to the US to join her family where she volunteers in educating dialysis patients in California about the benefits of transplantation.
Marilyn Apolinario joined KITAP, four years after her transplant, as a volunteer assistant coordinator. She was in charge of the telephone brigade, reminding KITAP members about its activities, updating the mailing list, and handling the KITAP medicines. Now that she is a widow, she is open to new adventures and she never forgets to maintain good relationships with others while there is still a chance.
Wind beneath the wings
All kidney donors are the patients’ real heroes. They have shared their lives and made miracles possible out of desolation and given their recipients a meaningful existence.
Marilyn Apolinario’s brother, Tom, was very willing to donate one of his kidneys to prolong her life. It was such a blessing that they were a perfect match. A month after the transplant in 1988, Tom went home to Butuan City and resumed his normal life. At present, he has two children, a boy and a girl. Marilyn refers to Tom as the “wind beneath her wings”.
In the same year, Luding Amparo’s kidney was donated by her son who was only 21 years old then. He recovered quickly after the operation and he continued his studies. He graduated from his engineering course and later became a licensed civil engineer. He has been married now for almost 14 years with three kids, aged 12, 4 and 2. He used to work at the Davao International Airport, but is now working in Dubai as a civil engineer. He can do everything a normal person can, including playing basketball, riding mountain bikes and motor bikes. However, he avoids contact sports like karate, which may directly hit his remaining kidney.
Foreigners surviving with Filipino kidneys
The stories of NAJEEB AL-ZAMIL of Saudi Arabia, JACK BEN ZAK of the United States, and MARK GAUTHIER of Canada, who have survived with Filipino kidneys, are a clear manifestation of the advanced and excellent kidney transplantation in the Philippines.
Mr. Al-Zamil had a kidney transplant in 1983 donated by his mother. However, when he encountered liver complications in 1986, his uncle advised him to have another kidney transplant in Manila, which he did in 1996. He asks himself, “How many years has it been since doctors discovered my kidneys were failing? I don’t want to know and I don’t care. What counts is that I devote my time to issues which are more humane and more meaningful. I became my nephrologist’s model for his other patients being perceived as a ‘superman’ emerging strong after each kidney transplant.”
Jack Ben Zak reminds, “One should never take for granted one’s current state of health. Some people think urinating is just a process; it is only when you lose it that you will realize that it is actually a very big deal. Do not wait until that day when you could not walk anymore before you see the doctor – it may be too late.”
‘I’m thankful for opportunities to make the most out of life’
Mark Gauthier shares, “If I had to sum up my last 10 years of critical illness, I’d say I was constantly plotting and planning how to get and stay healthy. I always told myself I would succeed. I’ve had 10 major surgeries and five minor ones, countless kidney biopsies, infections like peritonitis C-Difficile, and urinary tract infection, but I kept fighting on. I’ve had dialysis for a total of 11,500 hours which equals almost six years of full-time work, so I know any day off dialysis is a great day. I know I won’t ever lead a ‘normal’ life again, but I’m just thankful for this new opportunity to make the most out of life.”
(For more information or reaction, please e-mail at exec@obmontessori.edu.ph or pssoliven@yahoo.com)
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Dr. Rose Marie O. Rosete-Liquete’s book, I Have Three Kidneys: The Journey of Transplant Patients, will be launched on December 8, 2008, Monday, 6 p.m. at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel.
http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=420916