Giving Away Body Parts

14/12/2021

It's been a while since I have shared anything. We need prayers...

I continue to be amazed at the miracle of life. Yes; I gave away a kidney and it is thriving in my good friend Ryan. You too can give life. Most of us have 2 healthy kidneys. Most of us can survive with just one. Consider giving life. There are thousands of people needing your sacrifice. I have never felt better.

On the other hand, pray for Ryan. He actually has 3 kidneys. The one we share and then the original 2 that have been nothing but painful. Normally they leave the diseased kidneys unless they cause more problems. Ryan is now at the place that they need to remove the old ones. They continue to not help him in any way. They are painful and interfere with other organs.

All surgery is risky. This one is extremely serious. My surgeon, the department head at Tulane, Dr. Paramesh, will be removing Ryan's old kidneys tomorrow. In his words he has to be cautious as he is "hacking" them out of Ryan without damaging the other organs that they may have wrapped themselves around.

Ryan will then be my twin. He will have one kidney just like me. God is Good. He will no longer have the weight and the pain.

I am asking each of you for 2 prayers. First pray for Ryan for God's protection as he undergoes surgery tomorrow early afternoon. Pray for calm hands and wisdom for Dr. Paramesh and his team. Pray for success, healing, and a quick recovery for Ryan.

Then, Pray for God's guidance in your life. Pray for God to speak to your heart and life. This is the scary prayer. Pray that God might show you how God might use you to bless someone else. Maybe you can give away a body part like me. Maybe you can bless someone like Ryan, a friend, a stranger, or just someone in need. We can't all give a kidney, but we can all try. Maybe God is calling you to help in some other way. But you don't know and won't know until you honestly and earnestly ask.

Our God works in amazing ways. Be a miracle to someone.

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you.You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. - Jeremiah 29:11-13

(This picture is I believe 4 or 5 days post surgery. Emma came to be with us in New Orleans. I was sore and exhausted, but grateful to be driven around and show Emma some sights.)

04/03/2021

Every year thousands of people die while waiting for a kidney. About 100,000 people are on the registry waiting for a kidney. About 6000 to 7000 kidney transplants happen every year.

There are plenty of kidneys to go around. The problem is, you still have it in you. Most people are born with 2. You can function normally with 1.

Consider being a living donor. I did and I am doing great. The only way I even know that I donated ate the fading scares. Really, they ate fading and hard to notice unless you know what to look for.

One year ago today I underwent a nephrectomy to remove my left kidney. Today I am in the same shape or better than I was a year ago. All my bloodwork has come back in the normal range. My right kidney, and only kidney in my body, is functioning phenomenally.

I never knew for sure if I could give such a gift. But when it came down to it, it was easy. I am grateful my wife asked me to consider the gift for her friend. When we found out she couldn't donate her kidney, I knew I was supposed to offer mine.

My life expectancy has not changed, but Ryan's has. He gets many more years to enjoy life. Only God gives life. But God gives us the opportunity to help others have a new life and a new hope. It warms my heart to see Ryan and Patience and the joy they share in his new life.

I hope you will prayerfully consider being an organ donor. If you are only able to consider in death, I understand and know that will help offer life. But also consider the sacrifice and option of being a living donor. A living organ has twice the life expectancy.

If your considering donating or want to know how or have any questions, message me. It really was an easy process. Yes, it's surgery. But worth every minute. The hardest part for me was the plane ride home and having to walk through 2 airports. I was back at work less than 2 weeks after surgery. But that's another story.

Blessings to you. Consider what you can do. Give away body parts and give someone life.

05/09/2020

Did you???

There are thousands of people waiting for a kidney.

You can donate a kidney and still live a healthy and normal life.

Thousands of people will die in 2020 while waiting for a kidney.

A living donor kidney will normally last twice as long or longer than a cadaver kidney.

You have 2 kidneys. Many live there whole life with just one.

Sharing is caring.

6 months ago, I underwent a nephrectomy. The removal of a kidney.

Today, I sit here with 4 mostly small scars.

Today, my new, lifelong friend, Ryan is doing great!

You too can be a part of a miracle.

Give life.

Donate your organs.

Consider being a living donor.

I am so grateful the opportunity to help Ryan live his best life.

Ryan is a true gift to this world.

Donate!

Give away a body part.

You will be glad you did.

24/06/2020

This is crazy! I can't even imagine putting the burden of anti-rejection medicine back on the recipient. Why give them a kidney, if you're not going to give them every chance to make it work for them. Contact your congress person

Tell Congress to The impact of the coronavirus pandemic has made one thing clear: it’s time to guarantee Medicare coverage of immunosuppressive medications for kidney transplant patients! Millions of Americans have lost their jobs, which for many, also results in the loss of employer...

16/04/2020

Happy birthday, Ryan Pierini!

12/03/2020

One week and one day post donation. Take care of your kidneys. If you have healthy ones, consider sharing. Give the gift of life! You have 2 and you only need 1.

05/03/2020

Gave away a kidney today. I slept through whole thing knowing I was in great hands. Woke up and got to visit with a nice nurse in the recovery room, Evelyn. Stayed longer than I wanted to waiting for a room to open up in the transplant ICU. I would definitely interview and test run the person wheeling you from recovery to the room. Mine went a little too fast over bumps. It was a manual bed and she wasn't very cautious. Had hiccups for almost 2 hours... now they are back.

Got up and walked a little this evening.

As Carroll said earlier, Ryan Pierini 's new kidney kicked in right away. He has a tougher road ahead getting used to my kidney, so please keep the prayers going.

So grateful to have Carroll by my side through all of this. She is my superhero!

04/03/2020

Good Morning! It is 5:21 am Central time. Getting ready to head to the hospital. Squeaky clean and nothing to eat or drink since yesterday's mostly liquid diet.

Feeling good and mostly awake even though not much sleep. Grateful to God for this opportunity and protection for all. Looking forward to napping all day today. See you sometime later.

Thank you all for prayers and support and all your love! So blessed, so grateful!

02/03/2020

Last post until surgery day... placea we stopped on the way out the door. Ready for Wednesday. Praying for Ryan as he has his last Dialysis tomorrow morning.