For Don Gordon, when the Pearl Harbor date rolls around [2008], it will mark, for him, the 25th anniversary of the kidney transplant that preserved his life. http://www.thecolumbiastar.com/news/2008/0718/news/006.html Longest living kidney transplant recipient says never accept can't2008-07-18 / NewsBy Jackie Perrone jacper@bellsouth.netSnowball's chance is Don Gordon's manuscript documenting his journey through medical hell.December 7 is a significant date for Don Gordon, but for a different reason than most. When the Pearl Harbor date rolls around this year, it will mark, for him, the 25th anniversary of the kidney transplant that preserved his life.He doesn't know whether this is the longest recorded kidney transplant survival anywhere. He does know for sure that he is the longest surviving transplant patient at Columbia Nephrology Center, where he credits now- retired Dr. U. X. Cullum with his near- miraculous longevity."I was five years old when my kidney problems became critical," he notes. "My kidney damage was not due to disease but to a somewhat mechanical function which was not corrected until it had done irreparable damage to my kidney."Medication and dialysis were the treatments of choice for many years. Then in 1983, transplant surgery became the issue at Duke Medical Center, and my brother, Jim Gordon, donated a kidney."Probably one significant factor in my long- term endurance is that other than the kidney problem, my overall health was and is excellent. Heart, lungs, liver, physical fitness, those things are better than for most middle- aged men. I have been riding my bicycle around eastern Columbia ever since the 1970s."His business career has included stints of marketing From page one and sales of such products as life insurance and overhead doors. He is now host of a talk show called Radio Free Dixie, and its web site, RadioFreeDixie. com. He offers verbal snapshots of history, and in his role as Lt. Commander of the Sons of Confederate Veterans he also tells some special commentary about the War Between the States.His 60 years have been filled with medical trauma, hopes, and disappointments. A sense of humor and a philosophical approach to life have helped him through the worst of times."It's true that people who have faced the worst learn to appreciate the least. I know better than most folks that every day is precious, and the smallest moments can be important to us. Don't ever take your blessings for granted!"He has put together a manuscript tentatively named Snowball's Chance, not yet published but documenting his journey through medical hell. He would like for it to provide some hope as well as help for others facing medical trauma.Some of his rules for patients:1. Play to win. Now is when you have to be willing to take chances. There's no glory for second place.2. Remind yourself that about half of doctors finished in the bottom half of their class in medical school3. Believe any doctor who says that he can't save you. Then go out and find one who says that he can.Near the conclusion of his manuscript, he thinks back to a trip to Minnesota, where he had gone in a desperate search for help and offers this report about his return home:"At the airport, they de- ice the plane two times. I can see seven snowplows working out on the tarmac… Shortly the pilot announces we were the last plane to lift off before the airport was closed down."The long flight home is good for my soul because it gives me plenty of time to think (and pray). Please God just let me live my life like a regular man whose biggest worry isn't whether he will wake up the next morning."Unexpectedly,"(Colu mbia had snow), "as we turned into the driveway I see everything covered in white except for little bursts of yellow from daffodils poking up their heads."We don't need any mystics to explain the meaning of life when we have such a perfect example showing what we should all be striving to do: Bloom in the face of adversity."This medical miracle strives every day to do just that.
I have had mine since 5/25/1991
I got my kidney from my sister who is one year olderThan me 6 antigen matching kidney So happy she is my hero!!
I Hate Dialysis Message Board
I Hate Dialysis Message Board
Author
