Recycle yourself ...

... my dad was fortunate enough to have a successful liver transplant ... it will be 2 years tomorrow, March 11. I remember that day so well ... bringing my very fragile and sickly father home ... just discharged earlier that day from yet another life-threatening ordeal of ammonia poisoning due to his diseased liver. He was home all of about 6 hours feeling very down and giving up hope ...5 months on "the list" is a long time ...(it's harder for us O neg folks to get organs) ... He got "the call" around 10:30 that evening ... get to the hospital now. The next 12 hours was full of hope, worry, tears, smiles, and intense feelings. Yes, he could have a new life or no life at all ... he went into surgery at noon and was on the table for 8 hours ... the Clinic transplant team is amazing ...they updated the family throughout the procedure ... His doctor came out that evening and spoke to us ... he was like God to me at that point! It's a damn miracle that this can be done. As I reminded my dad yesterday of his upcoming "liver birthday" and how we needed to celebrate ....he somberly said yes, it's a celebration but another family somewhere is mourning for a loved one that left them 2 years ago.... My dad sadly reminded me that another family will probably be visiting a cemetery somewhere on this day..... We don't know who the person was but of course we are eternally grateful to him or her and to their family for such a selfless gift ...