A lovely visit to our unit today !

[KICKSTART]

Sat nattering to the lady next to me today , when in walks this guy ...this guy was one of us, but he got his transplant just before christmas and always said he would come back in and see us. All i can say is he looked terrific , he was almost glowing ! His dad was his donor and he talked to us for ages , all about the transplant , what they did , how long things took. In fact he did such a good job i told him he should go round to people thinking of it and tell them his story. It actually brought a lump to my throat to see him stood there looking so different , so vital , so alive. Wow what an amazing gift from his dad.

[monrein]

   transplants really are transformative...for most of us.

[Jean]

How cool is that??? Glad he kept his word and came back also to visit. Gives some of the patients encouragement, I am sure.

[RichardMEL]

When I visit my D unit both patients and staff almost always say "You're looking so ALIVE and so great!!!"

 


I try not to go on too much about my transplant to some of the patients though, keeping in mind that some of them are not eligible for transplant, or may have had a recent rejection/failure or something - I think you need to be a bit tactful on those situations. I would NEVER want to feel like I was rubbing it in someone's face that ha ha I have a transplant and am off dialysis and feel great. That would make me feel miserable.

I love to visit my unit, specially the lovely staff, but I do think about how some of the patients might feel about me coming in and out and talking about going travelling, and how much energy I have etc. I want to be considerate.

I'm glad you enjoyed his visit though KS - I know that pretty much everyone in my unit is so happy for me that I got the transplant and I know some want to hear all about it.. like I said I just try and be a little circumspect around some others.

[jbeany]

Hmmm... I stopped in to see everyone at my unit, but I'm more of a "what can go wrong" cautionary tale than an immediate success story.

(One week to the appt. with the general surgeon, and then I start the count down to the surgery to return my guts to their original locations and hopefully get a belly button back,  plus about 3 more months until the rest of my AWOL hair grows out to a normal length.....so not so much for the looking fab yet. )

But it's good to think that some of my former D inmates are happy for me like you are, KS.

[Gandalf]

I think its really great that he did come back and visit - seems many people would just like to forget about that part of their lives once they have had their transplant.  Must have taken a degree of courage and sensitivity...

[billybags]

i think that is brilliant. We have new transplant team at our hospital and they are doing a fantastic job. They are doing a lot more transplants We are hearing about more of our friends that have had transplants, even one that is 70 years old. So there is hope for us yet.

[KICKSTART]

I agree with what you say , but he is such a lovely sensitive bloke. I think it was more i havent forgotten you all visit , than a wayhay im sorted one. To be honest though i do feel a little sad ,because it did make me think about  the life i have lost and will never get back , but i dont begrudge anyone else.

[RichardMEL]

I think its really great that he did come back and visit - seems many people would just like to forget about that part of their lives once they have had their transplant.  Must have taken a degree of courage and sensitivity...

Yes many transplant patients want to kiss dialysis goodbye and never look back. I can understand that but then again I never saw dialysis as this big evil horrible thing and I *love* the staff at my unit so it's a pleasure to go back and visit (and they insist on it!!!  ). If they don't see me for awhile they're like "oh no!" lol. I will drop in this Saturday and say hello, because my "shift" will be on (and I can get them to pull my lab results too ).

The best part about visiting? I'm not being needled and I can walk out when I want!! 

[Poppylicious]

To be honest though i do feel a little sad ,because it did make me think about  the life i have lost and will never get back , but i dont begrudge anyone else.

Awww, Kickie.  *huggles*

But yay! for chap who came back in to see you all!